IT'S JUST SO MUCH 'PARTY' POLITICS.Byline: Bob Strauss Film Critic Alan Cumming and Jennifer Jason Leigh have always been admirable actors - bold, resourceful, generally honest and oftentimes fearless. They became friends while co-starring in the acclaimed stage revival of ``Cabaret'' a few years ago, and now they've made a joint feature film writing and directing debut, ``The Anniversary Party,'' in which they also play the lead roles. Like what we've come to expect of their work in front of the camera, ``Anniversary'' is well-acted and credibly thought out. But it's also exactly what you would expect a movie made by actors and their friends about actors and their friends would be: indulgent, hothouse hothouse: see greenhouse. narcissism narcissism (närsĭs`ĭzəm), Freudian term, drawn from the Greek myth of Narcissus, indicating an exclusive self-absorption. In psychoanalysis, narcissism is considered a normal stage in the development of children. with whatever character truth it has to offer diluted through too many instances of drama. And more drama. Drama, drama, drama. Cumming and Leigh play Joe and Sally Therrian. He's a novelist about to direct his first movie, based on his book that's more-or-less based on their lives. She's an actress who's not going to be in that movie. He's recently returned to their architectural home in the Hollywood Hills The Hollywood Hills, an unofficial designation of part of the City of Los Angeles, California, are part of the eastern section of the low transverse range of the Santa Monica Mountains, which extends from the Los Feliz District and Hollywood, on the south side of the Valley, to after an extended separation, and it's their sixth wedding anniversary. They seem to have reconciled, but ... And then the guests start arriving, bearing gifts and baggage. We won't bore you with descriptions of them all - the movie does a sufficient job of that - but you can bet ex-lovers, disgruntled dis·grun·tle tr.v. dis·grun·tled, dis·grun·tling, dis·grun·tles To make discontented. [dis- + gruntle, to grumble (from Middle English gruntelen; see co-workers, blazing neurotics and feuding neighbors make for a less-than-cordial event. There's a game of charades that goes on too long. There's a series of testimonials to the happy couple that goes on way too long. At one point Gwyneth Paltrow, as the hot young starlet star·let n. 1. A small star. 2. A young film actress publicized as a future star. starlet Noun a young actress who has the potential to become a star Noun 1. who'll be playing the resentful Sally's character in Joe's movie, breaks out the Ecstasy and things get, well, partyin' for awhile. But then the real confrontations begin, along with a near-drowning, a lost dog, a family tragedy and lots of runnings up to the infidelity precipice. Shot well on digital video by the respected John Bailey John Bailey may refer to one of the following people:
``THE ANNIVERSARY PARTY'' (Rated R: sex, nudity, drug use, language) The stars: Alan Cumming, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jane Adams, John C. Reilly John Christopher Reilly (born May 24, 1965) is an Academy Award-nominated American actor known for his ability to act in a dramatic or comedic role with ease. Biography Personal life , Phoebe Cates n. pl. 1. Provisions; food; viands; especially, luxurious food; delicacies; dainties. Cates for which Apicius could not pay. - Shurchill. Choicest cates and the fiagon's best spilth. - R. Browning. , Kevin Kline, Gwyneth Paltrow, Parker Posey, Jennifer Beals. Behind the scenes: Written and directed by Jennifer Jason Leigh and Alan Cumming. Produced by Joanne Sellar, Cumming and Leigh. Released by Fine Line Features. Running time: One hour, 55 minutes. Playing: Town Center 5, Encino; Playhouse 7, Pasadena; Westside Pavilion, West L.A.; Sunset 5, West Hollywood; Monica, Santa Monica. Our rating: Two and one half stars |
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