THE ANNIVERSARY PARTY – SLIFF Review

Review by Dane Marti

The Anniversary Party was released a while back and it is a very impressive film, although it has a slight claustrophobic feel of a stage play. However, this is simply a small matter for a film that so cleverly takes on the life, loves and problems of a group of H Hollywood people that have come to the Anniversary party of their friends.

Released through Fine Line features in 2001, the film has a garnered a reputation as a quality work and I’m definitely not going to disagree with that assessment.

First off, I’ve been a fan of the work of Jennifer Jason Leigh since I saw her in the early eighties in Fast Times at Ridgemont High. She is outstanding here.

Joe (played with charming menace by Alan Cumming) and Sally Therrian have been through a lot together. While definitely in love, there have been many rough patches. As this film commences, there will be even more savage and, often humorous, conflict. This goes for a number of people that have come to the Therrian’s 6th Anniversary.

The couple wants to celebrate their reconciliation after a contentious separation. They also want to announce their mutual decision to start a family. The couple lives in a wonderful modern house somewhere in the Hollywood Hills. As filmmakers, writers and actors, the couple and their close friends do not appear to have many issues when it comes to the pocketbook.

However, they are quite neurotic. And this is what makes the film shine: all the wonderful characterizations, all of the meltdowns and all the secrets revealed – especially after people ingest a ‘present’ from one of the guest. Secrets begin to unravel and explode.

Obviously, this is a well-acted film all around. It also helps that the acting has the bedrock of first-rate writing! On occasion, the acting of Alan Cumming seemed a little too precious and clever for me, but he definitely has talent. Gwyneth Paltrow as a sprightly, young, sexy starlet is well cast for her role. She’s grown as an actress. Seeing how young she once was, is fun. Parker Posey is her usual unpredictable self. Her skillful acting has always impressed me.

This is a highly entertaining film that deals with many serious issues such as fidelity, love, commitment, ego and how painfully sad relationships with lovers, friends and family can often be.

THE ANNIVERSARY PARTY screens as part of the 21st Annual Whitaker Saint Louis International Film Festival on Sunday, November 11 at 12:30 PM and Monday, November 12 at 9 PM at the Tivoli Theater with editor Carol Littleton and cinematographer John Bailey.