News, Reviews & Commentary on Lesbian and Bisexual women in Entertainment and the Media

dorothy snarker

by dorothy snarker

Anne Hathaway is not what you think in "Rachel Getting Married"

When I first saw the title for Anne Hathaway's latest movie, I groaned. Rachel Getting Married — oh no, not another romantic comedy about a wedding. (Blerg, seriously, blerg.) But then, sensing the possibility for a good rant about the inane nature of the contemporary rom-coms, I clicked on the trailer anyway. Goodbye first impressions, hello not judging a movie by its title.

What I saw was entirely unexpected: Familial dysfunction, multicultural celebrations, redemptive love, biting humor, and Anne Hathaway as the bad girl — like rehab, relapse, sociopathic behavior, violent tendencies, Shiva the destroyer and harbinger of doom bad.


Rachel Getting Married has the jittery, cinéma vérité feel of a gritty independent but has the big names and hardware of a prestige piece. Besides Hathaway, it stars multiple Oscar nominee Debra Winger (An Officer and a Gentleman, Terms of Endearment) and is helmed by Oscar-winning director Jonathan Demme (Silence of the Lambs, Philadelphia).

Written by first-time screenwriter Jenny Lumet, who comes with her own distinguished pedigree as the daughter of the Academy Award-winning director Sydney Lumet and granddaughter of Grammy-winning jazz singer Lena Horne, the story follows the unceremonious homecoming of rehab regular Kym (Hathaway) for her sister Rachel's wedding (Rosemarie Dewitt).

I wasn't sure about the trailer (dysfunctional families, gee, I've never seen that before) until it came to the scene of Rachel lovingly bathing her sister that I was sold. In a few quick moments, the sister dynamic between DeWitt and Hathaway already feels real and lump-in-the-throat inducing.

My one gripe? For Pete's sake, that title is terrible. And the sad part is that it didn't have to be so blandly generic. The movie was originally called Dancing With Shiva. Now that makes more sense. Heck, you might actually be able to drag a few men to go see Dancing With Shiva. But now I fear the theater will only be filled with some very disappointed romantic comedy fans scratching their heads and saying, “Heavens, what happened to that nice Princess Diaries girl?”

So, are you ready to witness Rachel Getting Married? And, more importantly, are you ready for Anne the destroyer? RSVP below.

Gina Vivinetto's picture

Hmmm...

Is it wrong that I'm really attracted to Anne Hathaway in that trailer? You can probably guess the long line of crazy brunette girlfriends in my past.
ajsecure's picture

I love Anne Hathaway and I

I love Anne Hathaway and I now can't wait to see this movie. I looks really interesting and dynamic. And it doesn't look Hollywood which is always a big plus in my book.

Shorty AZK's picture

I always thought Anne

I always thought Anne Hathaway was good but man do I now think Anne Hathaway is awesome after that trailer.

If I hadn't read about this here, seeing that title in the cinema listings wouldn't have had me dragging myself to go and see it, but I think knowing more about it makes me want to actually sit down and watch it...in other words, I think the title sucks!! ;-)
jenndawgg's picture

Not the first time.

This is not the first time when Anne Hathaway has chosen a role that has her being the bad girl. In the movie 'Havoc" she plays a girl from the upper class life who gets around - alot, and gets caught up East-LA drug and gangsta lifestyle.

I think it's amazing that she can go from huge Disney films like 'The Princess Diaries' to extreme movies like 'Rachel Getting Married'. It shows how good of an actress she really is.
fiercedesea's picture

Looks great

I love Anne Hathaway, so there was a good chance that I would go see this. Now after watching the trailer, as long as I can find it in theaters, I'm going to go see it!! It looks great. Although, to be honest, I probably would see it without knowing what it's about from the title, but the title choice really isn't great.
AlwaysModern's picture

I'm ready....

this movie looks like a tear jerker.....BRING IT ON!

mibtc86's picture

hmmm

this movie looks good.... as somber, i guess, as it looks imo that was a funny line at the end when the man was saying, "i hope the only ups and downs come in the bedroom". or something like that. :)
All The Rage's picture

huh...

I was actually a little put off while seeing the title of the film...then I saw the pictures and I was sucked in by the pictures of Anne Hathaway.

 Then when I saw the trailer I was hooked. I think that this will probably give Anne Hathaway to break away from the little innocent thing she has going on. Plus..she looks hot in the trailer...

NicMac's picture

Anne has my heart...

since day one. I'll watch basically anything she's in. Heck, if some terrible mishap of fate landed her a role in a revival of CATS I'd sit through all 2 1/2 hours of feline revelries. Loooove her.

The title. Eh, bland yes. But that's what pretty much sells. "Indie" films nowadays like to have these simple or elusive titles. Its the mystery that usually makes me watch a full trailer. like Juno, My Winnipeg or Cloverfield. We're drawn to it.

Isn't it funny how Hollywood films are trying to imitate Independent films lately? 

monica_ca's picture

Odd title...

but I'm still going to see it.  I think that there are ppl who will miss out on it though b/c of the title, and I think that there are ppl that are going to go see it expecting one thing, but getting something completely different.
stROKe's picture

The Hotness of Anne Hathaway

Wow, I thought she was likable wholesome and happy; but really she's just mega-hot dark and messed up. Do you know anyone who isn't into the bad girl?

I look forward to crying at the movie while at the same time longing after Kym.

wickedgrrl's picture

Anne

I think Anne Hathaway is playing my ex-girlfriend.  That was a disturbingly familiar thing to watch and it was just the trailer.  I have a feeling this movie is going to put me in the same place Girl Interupted did.  Its like its just the rest of the story.  "Same story, different details."

SportyLady's picture

I Heart Anne

I have loved Anne since The Princess Diaries movies--yes I saw both, at the theaters no less. So I've seen everything she's been in and I think this role will be a nice change of pace, not that I don't think she was brilliant in everything else. But this seems like a grittier role and I think she's going to be fabulous. Excellent cast as well. Can't wait till it comes out.

lmcadams's picture

Oh, Anne!

This movie looks fantastic. I am a huge fan of Anne Hathaway and will definitely be watching this movie. I think she is incredibly talented. It seems like a great role for her. It also seems like a movie most can relate too... Good ole' family dysfunction. 

 

As for me, I am very excited about and ready for Anne the destroyer! 

Nathiest's picture

Now I am!!! Wow can't wait

Now I am!!! Wow can't wait to see this movie!

-Nathiest
the devil is in the details

Nero18's picture

Anne Hathaway??? Well, I

Anne Hathaway???

Well, I smell Oscar for that lady!

hadas's picture

Debra Winger

I'm mostly ready for Debra Winger!

Finally, she's back.

exquisite little tart's picture

mmm right!  Did you not

mmm right!  Did you not love her in Eulogy?  I'm hoping you've seen it
hadas's picture

Right you are!

Right you are!

And did you see "Searching for Debra Winger"? a great documentary by Rosanna Arquette. 

Natazzz's picture

Nope

I agree, the trailer is so much better than I assumed from the title.

Still, this is not really the kind of movie I would enjoy. Then again, Anne Hathaway does look really hot in it. 

- - - - - - - - - -

-Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.

I blog, therefore, I am

raspberryswirl91's picture

Debra and Anne? I'm in!

Definitely gonna watch this. Anne is great, I love her and she looks really good with her hair that short. It's a good thing you've showed me the trailer otherwise I would've never even considered seeing this... The title is just so lame, doesn't fit with the movie at all.

Oh and thank you ever so much for posting that HOT picture of Debra Winger... *fans self*

1utama's picture

Sooo gonna watch it

i do not discriminate. i just ignore certain people.

True ! The title doesnt match the movie at all !

And Anne looks great with her hair shorten. ;)

almostpeople's picture

It looks like 28 Days only

It looks like 28 Days only set at home instead of actually in rehab. Bad title, impressive Anne. I reckon I'll see it.
Ed Would's picture

Wow

This looks like a film that I'd actually watch. Pretty rare, nowadays.

I actually quite like the title. It's sort of tricksy. Though now I know it really should have been called 'Dancing with Shiva', I'm a little disappointed.

HOWEVER, some of the dialogue reminds me of Juno. Is this the new standard of 'vaguely indie-feeling' films now? Dark/witty dialogue. I don't think I'm complaining, but I have a feeling that I'll get bored of the same sort of thing.

klabunda's picture

hathagay?

wow, anne seems to be less shiny and more shany in this movie. looking forward..
dechen's picture

I can't wait to see this

I can't wait to see this one! I have loved Anne Hathaway from Princess Diaries to Prada, and it will be great to see her in a more edgier role than her previous films. There's something very alluring about her as this Kym character...
.Misty.'s picture

Yaaay

Sounds nice and I'm definitely gonna watch it! Plus Anne looks hot with short hair!

 

 

No matter which way you go.  No matter which way you stay.   

mooshie's picture

It reminds me of

Of Sandra Bullock's "28 Days" . They have the same haircut, and the weeding of the sister. But i'll still watch it XD.
freelancer's picture

...

ditto
TheDoomMerchant's picture

Call me crazy, but...

I'm willing to see anything with Hathaway in it.

Hell, I'd watch a documentary detailing the migratory habits of sea monkeys if she narrated.

She's intoxicating.

["Suicide is man's way of telling God, 'You can't fire me: I quit.' "]

exquisite little tart's picture

not a fan

of Anne, eh, I never really liked her.  but lol Debra Winger is so damn adorabled  [=

The movie seems like it may be trying to be the kinda film I would watch, so I will prolly get it from Netflix when it comes out on DVD and give it a shot. Really I'll prolly just watch it on youtube  lol 

Deltaobsessed91's picture

If I had never of seen this

If I had never of seen this link on here I prob would have seen this Film only because Anne is in it..shes totally gorgeous and is like one of my favourite acresses of all time!

Looks like a pretty awesome movie and cant wait for it to come out as I will forsure be seeing it!!

Later x

Gracyce's picture

Thank you Debra Winger!

Debra Winger looks great and I appreciate her not giving in to overdone plastic surgery as so many of the actresses of her generation have.
Gracyce's picture

Thank you Debra Winger!

Debra Winger looks great and I appreciate her not giving in to overdone plastic surgery as so many of the actresses of her generation have.
Gracyce's picture

Thank you Debra Winger!

Debra Winger looks great and I appreciate her not giving in to overdone plastic surgery as so many of the actresses of her generation have.
Faithful Chosen's picture

Wow...

 Wow... I have to say I have never been a great Anne Hathaway fan. Sorry. This trailer, however, might get me to be one. I'm just a bit afraid that this movie will be really sappy as in 'she's really f-ed up but of course everything works out because blood will overcome everything, even drugs!'

 

Anyway, I'll definitely go see it, in theaters, even, if people here say it's good. 

 

EDIT: Also, this reminds me of 28 days... 

 

Who you gonna be if you can't be yourself,
you can't get it from t.v., you can't force it on
anybody else.
-- Ani Difranco

Musicplayer's picture

Hmm

Hmm, movie looks really good. I'm certainly going to see this one, the acting seems to rather well. And Anne Hathaway makes a really gorgeous bad girl..

* * * * * * * * * *

MUSICPLAYER
Music is like therapy,
only cheaper

countrycomfort's picture

Saw It. Loved Her

She's climbing up the ladder in the movie biz. She's proving to be very versatile. She looks amazing!!! Very sexy in Get Smart...could not take my eyes off her.

She's very "real" in "Rachel"...those lips.


User login

After Ellen home page on logo online