Iffy for 16+
Intense, insightful family drama celebrates love.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this intense family drama addresses certain subjects -- drug addiction, death, family dysfunction -- that may be overwhelming for younger teens who are drawn to it by Anne Hathaway's star power. But they're dealt with so sensitively and compassionately that older teens may find the film quite impactful. Expect plenty of swearing and social drinking (as well as discussions about alcoholism and drug use). Characters also explore dark emotional terrain, and adult family members are hurtful -- verbally and physically -- to each other.
- Families can talk about the movie's messages. What does it say about the power of forgiveness, especially of forgiving yourself? How is the movie similar to, and different from, others that deal with addiction? Is it a realistic portrayal? Does that make it easier or harder to watch? Are there typical clichés and pitfalls that this movie manages to avoid? Which ones, and how? Families can also discuss why Kym acts the way she does when she comes home. Why does she seem so uncomfortable? How does her family react to her? Why?
The good stuff
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Messages: A dysfunctional family, still mourning the death of a loved one, unravels during a wedding weekend. Feelings are honestly aired, and the words sting. But there's also a whole lot of love going around, and not just because the central event is a wedding. Though angry with each other and deeply confused, relatives clearly care for each other and wish each other well.
What to watch for
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Violence: Screaming and arguing among family members. At one point, two relatives actually get physical, and it's ugly, though very telling. A character purposefully drives straight into a street sign and beyond.
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Sex: Two people who are virtual strangers have a quick tryst in a dark room (hardly any nudity shown). Some suggestive dancing.
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Language: Frequent strong language includes "f--k," "s--t" "c--ksucker," and "bastard."
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Consumerism: Some mentions of Rite Aid, the Olympic Games, and the TV series Cops. Pellegrino bottles are displayed prominently.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: The central character is a former junkie, and there's frank conversation about things she's done while high. She also smokes. Several scenes show Narcotics Anonymous meetings; the 12-step process is referred to often. Some social drinking during a wedding and rehearsal dinner.
Fan Reviews provided by
2
Rachel Getting Married by sfmoviemeister
Anne Hathaway does a good job. So does Rosemary Dewitt, who plays her sister, Rachel. I like a good family movie, but this one movie is way too overwrought. And it's too long.
1
Worst Movie Ever!!!!!!!!! by catchamovie
This was absolutely the WORST movie my husband and I have ever seen!!!! We were literally fighting to keep our eyes open...FYI we went to the earliest matinee...not a night time showing. ZZZZZZZZ The camera work was awful...very shaky ...hence my headache! The shaky camera work kind of started off like that Blair Witch movie! The plot was just dreadful, the 2 main characters were unbelievable as an engaged couple. There was no chemistry between the 2 in our opinion! Please please save your money! DO NOT BOTHER SEEING THIS FARCE OF A MOVIE!!!! We finally had to follow suit and leave a third of the way through...just as THE MANY MANY theater goers did BEFORE of us that morning!!!!
1
Skip Rachel Getting Married... by euromoviefan
This was the worst movie I have seen in about 5 years. The "indie" shaky camera thing was pretentious and annoying, the characters were even more annoying, and the entire thing was a waste of $10.50.
Avoid this movie.
1
Rachel Getting Married by bleubelle
A friend and I saw this together. We both felt nauseated afterward because it was filmed almost entirely with unsteady hand-held cameras so it was jerky and wobbly and unsteady. The family in the movie is totally dysfunctional. We couldn't figure out why the characters of different ethnic backgrounds had a wedding themed on another culture and a music group from another culture showed up. I think it's the worst movie I've seen in years. The producers wasted their money. My friend and I wasted our time.
1
Rachel Getting Married (Pretentious, Convoluted and Annoying) by pageharader
I was so excited to see this movie. The critics glowing reviews of Jonathan Demme's work and Anne Hathaway's edgy portrayal as the main character Kym had me intriqued. What I found as I sat through the movie (wondering should I leave, or could it get better), was a world far removed from anything I've ever witnessed. The gratuitous interracial marriage was never fleshed out and Tunde Adebimpe should be pissed that any ounce of his character's personality was cut in editing. The dishwasher-loading scene was a long, bad trip and the music grated on my nerves throughout the entire movie. Anne Hathaway's performance, whoopdie-****. I don't think a bunch of eye-liner, dirty hair and screwing the guy from NA who coincidentally and convolutedly happened to be the best man is Oscar worthy. I left feeling like I was going through the pain of withdrawal and the angst of a horrid past which made me think maybe that's why prententious, fos critics reviewd the film positively.
1
Wow, I can't believe I wasted 2 hours of my life watching this movie by leadfoot63
I can find nothing good to say about this movie. It looked like something a couple of high school kids filmed with their Dad's video camera. I was disappointed from the beginning to the end.
4
Family dynamics by Igotothemoviesalot
Anne Hathaway is incredible as a junkie out of rehab to attend her sister's wedding. The cast is huge and eclectic, including Debra Winger and American Idol's Tamyra Gray. There is lots of drama and arguments but there is also lots of joy. At times too independent-film-looking, and if you don't mind the shaky camera style, this is a movie with much to say even if you think you've seen it before. The wedding itself confirms there is hope out there.
4
gut wrenching drama by snozzle1
Observe a painful family drama as Anne Hathaway's character tries to cope with life on the outside of rehab, which just happens to coincide with her sister getting married, and related family revelations. Great performances. The script is also very honest.
At least a handful of people, such as my wife, somehow acquired the idea this was a comedy going in. I'm not sure who is spreading that rumor. It does have several very funny scenes, but they are usually funny in a painful sort of way.
There are a few annoying elements to the movie: What's with all the music? I guess Demme really likes music, but there was at least one scene where a character yells "could you give it a rest?" and the music stops. Thank God! The soundtrack is not bad, but there is just too much of it. It's not natural (in my world, at least) for music to be playing all the time. Related: does the groom really have to sing his vows to his bride? And what's with the whole Indian wedding motif?
1
Rachel Getting Married by therawlinsons
After all the rave reviews I was really looking forward to seeing this film. What a bitter disappointment. A woman's story told from a male POV, all the women were selfish and incredibly unlikable - the men either benign or mildly sympathetic.
Sitting in the forth row, I was even willing to make allowances for the neck wrenching hand held camera work - but it was pointless.
A self-indulgent waste of money. I wish I had spent mine on something else.
1
The neighbor's home movies are better. by zendalover
Think of the worst family movies you've ever had to sit through, then imagine they were of strangers who were at best irritating, banal and predictable, but you couldn't even had a drink or get up and walk away. There's no cliche left unspoken, nothing unpredictable, and endless endless scenes of people dancing at a wedding, for no other apparent reason than that the set was rented so why not shoot. How any reviewer could expose us to something so terrible, so banal, trite and obvious, is beyond comprehension. Go if you feel like squirming, and spending two completely worthless hours. Otherwise, stay away at all costs.