Customer Reviews

The Anniversary Party [VHS]

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

This film pulls back the curtain to reveal a glimpse of what "celebrity" means when the cameras aren't rolling and the stage is dark. What begins as a celebration of sorts becomes a character study that examines the lifestyle of the self-absorbed and those driven by ego, and we get to see the people behind the "fame." And while on one hand "The Anniversary Party," written and directed by Alan Cumming and Jennifer Jason Leigh, appears at first to be the kind of party you could find at anyone's house at any time in any place, subtle differences begin to surface that separates it from what could be considered the "norm." Because beyond certain corporate similarities, the entertainment industry is quite unlike any other, and that goes especially for the people who inhabit it. Sure, actors, writers, directors, etc. are people, just like anyone else, but their particular perceptions and priorities necessarily shift them into a unique position within the landscape of the human condition, wherein they exist amongst their own and for the most part play the game by their own rules. This is a generalization, of course; not every actor or artist lives in the style depicted in this film, but many do. In the final analysis, Hollywood is not called "La-La Land" for no reason, and Cumming and Leigh know it. Welcome to a world in which anything is acceptable, anything goes, and usually does.

Writer/director Joe Therrian (Cumming) and actress Sally Nash (Leigh) have prepared a party to celebrate their six years together; not that they have actually been "together" the entire time, but according to the actor/artist math, it's close enough. Close friends and associates have been invited to share whatever this is with them, as well as a couple of neighbors, Monica and Ryan Rose (Mina Badie, Denis O'Hare), who have certain "issues" with Joe and Sally. And, much to the chagrin of the "aging" Sally, whose career seems to be on the wane, Joe has invited the hot young up-and-comer in town, Skye Davidson (Gwyneth Paltrow) to the party. As the evening wears on into the early morning hours, true feelings are gradually revealed amid a game of charades (rather, a "production" of charades; these people are forever "on"), as well as the sharing of a certain "product" given as a present to Joe and Sally by Skye. And so, what began as a celebration, in the cold, hard light of morning just may be remembered as something entirely different. Welcome to the wonderful world of show biz.

The daughter of actor Vic Morrow, Jennifer Jason Leigh was born into the business, so to speak; Alan Cumming, on the other hand will have to come up with his own excuse. But they have collaborated (perhaps "conspired" would be more accurate) to bring to the screen an interesting, thought provoking story that for all intents and purposes seems, at least, as if it could be a composite of actual experiences and people they have known. Which means they've succeeded in delivering a film that has the decided flavor of reality about it, and for the most part it's extremely engaging, and often riveting drama. it may be a film that many will have trouble connecting with, though, if only because it is bound to fall outside the realm of personal experience for them. Most of the issues in this story are simply unfamiliar territory to the greater part of the world's population, with the exception of those dealing with the more universal themes, like the appreciation of a child's song, or the irritation of the perpetual barking of a neighbor's dog.

What really sells the project, though, and maintains interest, is the excellent ensemble cast the filmmakers have assembled here, portraying an inordinate number of characters driven by look-at-me! egos, yet each presented within their own unique perspectives and contexts. At the center of the fray, of course, is Cumming and Leigh, each of whom do a solid job of anchoring the myriad situations and scenarios generated through, by and around them. Leigh successfully conveys a sense of insecurity consistent with Sally's current status, and Cumming does a good job of making Joe quite unlikable, affecting as he does the look, attitude and personality born of an overblown and bloated ego. it's a portrayal that effectively points up the absolute boorishness that can be found within this community.

Paltrow, meanwhile, perfectly captures the essence of the shallow and relatively clueless ingenue, the vast majority of whom become a flavor of the week before disappearing into the obscurity of Hollywood's human "outbox." While Phoebe Cates, as former actress Sophia Gold, represents the opposite end of the spectrum, a young woman perfectly content with her current role of wife and mother. And Kevin Kline is convincing as her husband, actor Cal Gold, who though successful is still visited with insecurities and doubt; and his performance is one of the highlights of the film.

Also turning in performances that stand out from the rest are Mina Badie (Leigh's real life half-sister) as the neighbor who comes to the party offering conciliatory overtures toward a more "neighborly" relationship; John C. Reilly, as Mac Forsyth, a veteran director struggling with his latest project (the star of which just happens to be Sally Nash); and Peter Sellers look alike Michael Panes, as Sally's talented friend, Levi.

Rounding out the exceptional cast are Jane Adams (Clair), John Benjamin Hickey (Jerry), Parker Posey (Judy), Jennifer Beals (Gina), Matt Malloy (Sanford) and Owen Kline and Greta Kline (Kevin and Phoebe's real life children, as Jack and Evie Gold). A film that is more interesting than entertaining, "The Anniversary Party" nevertheless offers the viewer a chance to vicariously explore and experience Tinsel Town from the dark side of the curtain; some will find it exciting, while others will deem it decidedly unglamorous. Either way, Cumming and Leigh are to be commended for making it "real." It's the magic of the movies.

This debut from the unlikely team of Alan Cumming and Jennifer Jason Leigh is the most uncomfortable experience I have had watching a film in a while. Not Requiem for a Dream discomfort by any means, just an emotional tension that makes you feel for the characters.

This is not to say that it is a bad film. This is in fact not so. The reason it is an uncomfortable experience is that the directors are so good in expressing the discomfort the characters feel that the viewer feels it, too.

It mainly concerns the couple played by Cumming and Leigh, who have been separated for a considerable time (following their fifth anniversary) and have not yet figured out how to live with each other again. Their scenes are filled with tension combined with genuine love and effort in wanting to stay together.

The story takes place during one day and night of the preparation and then execution of a party for their sixth wedding anniversary. Cumming plays a novelist who has just been asked to direct his screenplay of his latest novel. The lead character of Jesse is well-known to have been based upon Leigh when she was younger. The leads Leigh, an famous actress in her own right, to feel she is the perfect person for the part. However, Cumming, through some coercion from the studio, has decided to hire the Gwyneth Paltrow character to play the part instead, telling her on the phone (overheard by Leigh) that she is his only choice for the role. He then invites Paltrow to their anniversary party, balked at by Leigh, who "didn't even invite my own mother."

In addition, everyone involved with Leigh's current film seems to believe, unbeknownst to her, that due to her emotional stresses, she is just "phoning it in." This opinion is supported when the director watches some dailies on the couple's widescreen television set.

Also invited, for no other reason it seems than to provide conflict, are the next door neighbors, who bring with them their opinions on the couple's dog who apparently barks incessantly, yet we never hear it.

Kevin Kline, Leigh's current costar, and his wife, played by his wife, actress Phoebe Cates (at her best in a later scene with Leigh), arrive with their two children, played by...their two children. Unfortunately, the family members appear to have no chemistry with each other. If I had not known, I would have thought they were all strangers (except for the children, who look remarkably like each other, and remarkably unlike either parent). The son falsettos an instantly forgettable song (said in the credits to have been written by him) that is obviously supposed to be cute, but was probably left in to save egos.

(You probably remember that Cates was in Fast Times in Ridgemont High with Leigh. The film, in fact, seems to be a reunion of sorts. Most of the actresses were in Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle with Leigh, as well. And Leigh's own dog plays the couple's dog, Otis. I don't know if Cumming brought any friends of his to this "Party," other than Leigh, of course.)

All the different guests, including Leigh's current director (John C. Reilly) and his wife, the couple's tax attorney (there for no other reasons than to make sure they sign their forms and to call another guest a body part vulgarity during a particularly tense game of charades) and his wife, Cumming's best friend Jennifer Beals, and the aforementioned Paltrow finally arrive and everyone is uncomfortable for a while.

Eventually the tension breaks--somewhat--and we see several guests dedicating toasts to the couple, with varying degrees of success, and Paltrow (at her most radiant in this role) presenting a gift of Ecstasy, enough for every guest. This changes the mood of the film somewhat as everyone has different reactions to the drug (including one woman remaining mostly nude for the remainder of the film).

This mood continues through a lot of drug-induced behavior which, I have to say, did not do much for my opinion of recreational drug use. I'm definitely still against it, even though everyone looked as if they were having a great time.

Surprisingly, this mishmash of tensions and personality quirks works to make a really entertaining film. And, though a little heavy for my general taste, I would definitely watch it again. Each character is different and each personality shines through. The directors made the perfect choices in actors (including themselves) for the parts, including some unexpected ones, but the entire cast is outstanding. The writing is superb as well, and even through the script seems to be full of contrived causes for more tension, they all combines well.

I would recommend this film to fans of ensemble pieces like The Big Chill and Peter's Friends or just fans of great acting.

Starring, co-written, and co-directed by Jennifer Jason Leigh. Although Jennifer has a tendency in the past decade to consistently pick dark subject matter, I am pleased to see that she has grabbed a-hold of some power in the independent film world. This is one of those small budget films that is almost entirely shot in one solitary location, which means that it's merit stands upon it's character development and dialogue. And to my surprise this film is about an appetizer and drinks evening of close friends party - booze, appetizers, charades, swimming, etc. etc. Some of the most enjoyable dialogue is because it seems to have an unedited genuiness. It is nice to see certain familiar acting faces - Jennifer Beals (forever remembered in FLASHDANCE), Phoebe Cates (her only memorable film being FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGHT) acting opposite her real-life husband Kevin Kline, and big Oscar winning star Gwenyth Paltrow making a supportive appearance (good for her, quality over big budget.)

Anniversary Part is written and directed by both Alan Cumming and Jennifer Jason Leigh.

This movie looks at 24 hours in the life of a couple (Cumming, Leigh) who have been separated for a year, but come back together in time for their Sixth Anniversary Party which goes awry when one of the gifts leads the party guests to an adult-oriented version of "Truth and Dare"...

In addition to Leigh and Cummings whom also star, the cast includes Jennifer Beals, Phoebe Cates, Kevin Kline, Gwyneth Paltrow, Parker Posey and John C. Reilly.

One of the interesting notes about the film is that it is filmed in digital video. For those who wants to see a strong cast in a different kind of filmmaking.

I saw Anniversary Party yesterday and was pleasantly intrigued, and never bored through its entirety.

Alan Cumming and Jennifer Jason Leigh play their parts as the perpetually problematic Hollywood couple incredibly well, and it was refreshing to see Phoebe Cates on the screen again. Playing charictures of themselves, or charictures of some aspect of themselves, this film relished as it played inbetween the lines of how much of this is real, and are we just playing a part here dynamics.

Driven delightfully by dialogue and occasionally over the top emotional scenes, the movie was a lot like dropping into an interesting party and watching everyone from the corner. Although it was, in a lot of ways, about Hollywood, it had the feel of a small film, devoid of Hollywood's plasticine permeations.

It's not for everybody, but if you're a fan of Walt Stillman or other dialogue driven films, see it.

I saw this movie today and i thought it was great. It had all of my favorite people... most old, and some new! I love Kevin Kline and Phoebe Cates, also their kids in real life, Greta and Owen Kline.. Jane Adams was great as a neurotic, pessimistic mother, who let loose later on. (You may remember her as Joy Jones in Happiness) John C. Reilly is always awesome! Not only does the Peter Sellers lookalike look like him, but he does a great impression as well. Supposedly, this movie is like a BiG Chill for the 2000's (which I never saw, but should) with a lot of great moments, comic and serious. It was a typical party with swimming, charades, and neighbors that hate your dog. Normally, i think Gwyneth Paltrow is a tiny bit overrated, but it's cool when she does projects like this. ...So, like i mentioned, it started out a little slow with the jokes only a little funny and some awkward, but by the end I was engrossed---I loved it!

I'm surprised at the number of negative reviews. This slice of life movie kept me engaged from beginning to end.

Unlike most people, I do see a plot here. The story is about Sally and Joe's marriage, and whether it can survive. It's apparent from the beginning that whatever they may think, the marriage isn't likely to last. For one thing, Joe isn't really committed--he's distracted by anyone "intoxicating" or new who floats by. And Sally knows she is on shaky ground, an "aging" actress in a town full of young ones. I felt for her, though I'm no actress. My connection to her character is what made the movie work for me.

The view into Hollywood was revealing: All the women are in some kind of pain, while the men, whether nasty or nice, are happy with themselves. Sad but not surprising.

Other situations I felt were universal. Who *hasn't* known someone married to the wrong person, trying to make it work? Willing to save the marriage with a baby, if that's what it takes, even if the partner isn't good father/mother material? Or a self-punishing working mother, or a full time mom who doesn't enjoy it as much as she pretends, or makes it too much of an identity? Who can't imagine being on either side of the neighbor/dog issue? Or hitting a career slump?

I admit it's a bit more fun to see these life issues wrapped up with a bit of Hollywood glamour: a lovely home, famous artist friends, with movie stardom and Oscars part of the background.

The movie has a fairly interesting commentary on drug use and addiction running through it as well. Of course there is the obvious issue of the Ecstacy use at the party.

Pay close attention, however, and the issue is everywhere: The neighbor is a recovering alcoholic (who relapses at the party); starlet Skye, despite her youth, has been in rehab twice. Sally has made a drug addict movie "so real" they won't show it in rehab. Sally and Joe's relationship is almost destroyed by the truths (and behaviors) that emerge while they are high. Joe's sister is a hopeless addict, and the resolution of the story (saving the marriage AND showing the destructiveness of drugs) is brought about through her fate.

Yet there is ambivalence about drugs as well: One character, the business manager, becomes nice only once he is high. The guilt ridden mother, Claire, manages to relax and forget her problems (a little too much so, in fact). The uptight, recovering-alcoholic neighbor was much nicer before he quit. For Mina Badie's character, it is an experiment with a new life. Even Sophia, the earth mother, has no problem taking the drug.

I disagreed strongly with the reviewers who said that Jennifer Beals emerged as the only likeable or sincere character in the movie. Her motives for being at the party seemed least sincere, like she was always waiting for a chance to nudge Sally out(another familiar life situation). She was clearly the rival--or one of them, Skye Masterson and Joe's male ex-lover being the others.

I liked Sophia (Cates) and Paynes the best of Sally's friends. Perhaps Cates' scene with JJL was a little scenery chewing--plenty of people have said so, anyway. However, I could easily believe that a woman with "no regrets" about selflessly ending her career could be, deep down, really unhappy. And however much you may love your children, you may want to escape them sometimes. But if you love them, you can't: "Kids just rob you of that option." Of course, it might be simpler if she just let herself go back to acting, instead of "giving it all up" and being deeply unhappy.

I also liked the little romance that emerges between Paynes and Skye (even though she can only communicate in terms of roles she's played).

Criticisms I had were that it was hard to accept Sally & Joe as a couple. A little backstory about them and their relationship would have been appreciated. Also, I felt the kiss that happens between him and the neighbor was a little contrived. It was only there so Sally could interrupt it, triggering a quarrel. But clearly this moment was meant to happen with the Beals character. Sally's tension over her from the beginning would have made it a more logical choice.

Also, the first hour is a little slow. The scene where each guest gives a small performance/speech in honor of the couple could have been cut, or at least reduced to a montage, without losing anything. It was even a little embarassing, since we have no sense of Sally & Joe as this great couple with a wonderful history, who we are happy to see back together. Ir's like sitting through a party where everyone is toasting someone you don't really like, and you have to pretend you like them, too.

My final criticism was the nudity: gratuitous and humiliating. Maybe the actresses agreed and thought it was "arty", but it was humiliating in the sense of robbing them so casually of their privacy; and by extension (since there is no male nudity) robbing the women of the audience, as well. I am really tired of seeing women's bodies reduced to objects of voyeurism, and this gratuitously contributed to the problem.

Other than that, I liked it, even the scene at the end where they are signing their taxes, because that, too, said something about marriage, that it is built on little and big things, like being there for each other when tragedy strikes, and taking care of everyday life (like taxes) as well.

Yes, yet another of my favorite actors, Alan Cumming of the stage, Cabaret, Noel Coward's Design for Living, and several movies, co-wrote and co-starred in The Anniversary Party with Jennifer Jason Leigh. The premise: a recently reconciled Hollywood couple throws an anniversary party and invites all of their quirky celebrity friends. The plot is not terribly appealing and is structured similar to a play, being immobile with setting. The writing is quite good, but the characters are not easily relatable, and not as funny as it seems they were intended to be. The cast is excellent though. Cumming, Leigh, John C. Riley, Parker Posey, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kevin Kline, Phoebe Cates, and some other lesser known actors and actresses contribute to making this film intriguing, in spite of the lack of action or movement in plot. It is an admirable accomplishment for the team of writers, and I loved seeing Alan Cumming perform so brilliantly, especially in his own work, but I can't say I took too much out of the movie. It had its moments, but the humor was dry and limited, and nothing about the movie, other than some of the writing and its actors, really grabbed me.

The Anniversary Party was dismissed in some circles as a vanity project since two well-known actors, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Alan Cumming, not only wrote and directed it, but also starred in it and cast their friends in the other roles. The problem with the dismissal it that it assumes that all so-called vanity projects, which I don't think The Anniversary Project really is, are bad news. My belief is that any movie should be judged on its own merits, not by the in and outs of how and why it was made.

I think this is one of the best and most insightful pictures ever made about people who work in the movie business. It is also an intimate, bittersweet portrait of the relationship between a movie star, whose career has peaked, and her writer husband, whose own success is just beginning to soar.

It is not an action movie. The whole thing takes place in a 24-hour period during which the couple throws a party to celebrate their sixth wedding anniversary. It is a low budget movie, shot on digital video, then transferred to film stock. It has a literate script but is not what I consider to be high brow. In fact, it's decidedly earthy and contains a great deal of scathing humor. If you aren't interested in Hollywood types or if you don't care for slice of life stories that delve into the darker elements of a relationship, this one isn't for you.

Sally and Joe [Leigh and Cumming] may have made it as a couple for six years, but it's been a rocky road. He left her and moved to London for a year. He's been back for six months. An underlying tension remains between them. On the morning of the party we find them outside by their pool getting instructions from their yoga teacher. Meanwhile, two maids prepare for the party. We see that Sally and Joe are rather spoiled. Joe has writing a new novel and has been chosen to direct the film version of it. Though he claims that it's a work of fiction, everyone knows that the main character is based on Sally. She isn't pleased that rising young star Skye Davidson [Gwyneth Paltrow] has been cast as this character, but the sad fact is that Sally is really to old to play her. In the afternoon, guests begin to arrive, and an interesting assortment of people they are. As the movie progresses, we see how intertwined these people's lives are and how codependent they are on each other. We see how the bonds of friendship can sometimes be a mixed blessing. As day turns into night, the party guests, having consumed quite a bit of wine, become looser and looser. When Skye gives the couple several hits of the drug Ecstasy as an anniversary gift, they pass them around to their guests. Secrets and lies come out that will forever change Sally and Joe, though not necessarily for the worse. The movie leaves it up to the audience to decide if their relationship will survive.

Vanity project or not, Leigh and Cumming are right on the money about a certain segment of Hollywood. I lived in Los Angeles for seven years, and some of the movie seems so real that I began to feel like one of the guests instead of an audience member. It is easy to dismiss people in the business as being neurotically insecure. While insecurity seems to be built into artistic types, I found that part of the problem for the ones who make movies for a living is that every job they take is temporary. This unavoidable fact tends to make them see everything as short-lived.

There are too many great performances here to singles any one out. This is an ensemble piece.

The photography is some of the best work in digital video I have seen so far. This process is revolutionizing movies because it is drastically lowering the cost. How much cheaper is it? The standard film stock used in The Anniversary Party's three-minute underwater sequence cost more than the digital stock used in the rest of the movie. It cut in half the time required to shoot the movie. I suspect small budget movies are about to make a big comeback.

This movie is one of the rare films that I have viewed over and over again through the years, and have always been able to appreciate it for something new every time. Written and directed by Jennifer Jason Leigh and Alan Cumming who also star as the married couple, Joe and Sally. As an avid fan of Leigh's since the early 80's, there are so many movies that I have seen her in that most often tend to veer onto the darker side. That is Leigh and how she chooses of whom she will portray. In "The Anniversay Party" I seem to see that she is taking a 'shot' at the whole glamorizing of the 'movie scene'. Leigh and Cumming take this one a bit 'lighter' then her usual, adding many personal touches with the cast (Kevin Kline and Phoebe Cates along with their real life children as the Gold family, Leigh's own step sister is the neighbor wife and even Leigh's dog is a part of this movie).

Through this over-blown, self absorbed vehicle that is the celebration of the couple's 6th wedding anniversary, so many different Hollywood types, neighbors and friends come converging to the party. Although from the onset, their marriage is just coming back together again through many years of turbulence. The husband Joe is an author who is just readying himself to direct his latest novel, based on his wife Sally's earier years as an actress. Joe is blatant about choosing the next upcoming star in Hollywood to play this role (Gwyneth Paltrow who is 'Skye Davidson'), while Sally is ill at ease with his choice and furthermore he has invited her to the party. This first pulls the string of tension that runs throughout this film to the tautest point and doesn't let up.

This is a small budget picture and thankfully so. It affords all the necessary focus to be on the characters and on their dialogue. This all takes place within one day and one night, preparing first and receiving their guests for the party in the evening as each player comes through their door adding layer upon layer of drama, comedy and tragedy. The different scenes of the party itself are very interesting within themselves, the 'toasting scene' probably being one of the most revealing, also the whole game of 'charades'. It's like watching a Hollywood type implosion. This film cannot be pigeonholed within the drama or comedy realm as it is basically both, depending on your own personal viewpoint. For myself, I could see several very funny parts in their extravagant lives of bloated ego. Several Shakespearian quotes and back biting, off handed remarks and over the top rantings flow through this, it does get hilarious at points.

Midway through the film, Skye Davidson drops a bag of Ecstasy onto a table and several of the partiers leave at this point while many stay on. They all have been drinking for several hours and now start to add this to the mix. It doesn't mix well. People start milling around talking and doing outrageous things, one woman running about without any clothing for basically the second half of the movie, while the neighbor seems to go into some sort of hypnotic state. Everyone is affected differently as the film turns into a comedy of errors. Too much is said in the old adage of "loose lips sink ships". While Sally is off basically reflecting with her friend, her husband Joe is into his penchant for philandering that caused the couple problems in their past. Many different situations happen with the cast throughout this part of the film and alot of damage also as that tension is pulling ever tauter.

You will find yourself wondering how in the world is this party going to end, but end it does.

The cast itself is full of so many big names (Jane Adams, John C. Reilly, Jennifer Beals and Parker Posey to name a few more) that you really need to see the film to see how each character lends themselves to this party of mass proportions. Leigh and Cumming did a masterful job with this film in showing the excess of Hollywood and in making it completely relatable to the everyday person. As in we are all the same basically, just in different worlds. A very underrated movie with such a big message through just a glimpse.