AFTER THE WEDDING – Review

AFTER THE WEDDING cleverly switches the genders on the Oscar-nominated Danish film of the same name, transforming it into a terrific showcase for two powerhouse actresses, Julianne Moore and Michelle Williams.

Director Bart Freundlich decided to flip the genders in his remake of Susan Bier’s 2006 Oscar-nominated Danish film, which turns out to be a brilliant choice,thanks to the wonderful casting of Williams and Moore. . Often remakes of European hit films for American audiences fall far short of the original but Freundlich’s enjoyable, thoughtful drama is the exception, and may actually be an improvement.

The characters that Michelle Williams and Julianne Moore could not be more different. Williams plays Isabel, an American idealist who runs an orphanage in India. The orphanage is in shaky financial shape so when a wealthy American businesswoman named Theresa Young (Moore) offers to donate two- million dollars, it seems like an answer to prayers. But there is a small catch: Isabel herself must travel to New York to meet with the donor first.

Isabel is not eager to return to the U.S., which she left long ago, but she is even more unhappy about the timing, as it is only a few days until the birthday party for seven-year-old Jai (Vir Paschisia), an orphan boy to whom she feels particularly close. Still, she has no choice if the orphanage is to survive.

When Isabel arrives, Theresa puts up in a luxurious suite in a posh hotel, a setting in which Isabel is thoroughly uncomfortable. She is scheduled to meet with Theresa at her office but is surprised to find that the donation is not yet a done deal. Further, the wealthy businesswoman wants her to stay over until the following Monday before she decides, citing her daughter’s wedding that weekend. She then further surprises Isabel by inviting her to the daughter’s wedding taking place the next day. Isabel is annoyed but has no choice but to comply with both requests.

At the wedding, Isabel makes startling discovery that sends them all down an unknown path filled with long-held secrets and life-changing decisions.

Freundlich’s intelligent adaptation of Bier’s original script is one reason that this remake is such a good film, creating a family drama that goes beyond the expected, creates complex characters and complicated choices, and prompts reflections on life. Another reason is the sterling casting, not just putting the talented Julianne Moore and Michelle Williams at the forefront and remaking this into a femme-centric drama.

Moore and Williams are wonderful in their scenes together and in their individual ones as well. These two stars shine at the center of it all in this engrossing drama, but the supporting cast is good as well. Billy Crudup lends good support as Theresa’s artist husband Oscar, and Abby Quinn is touching as their daughter Grace. But it is really these two female stars who run this show.

Director Freundlich places this story in beautiful settings which invite a contemplative mood. Much of the action takes place at Theresa’s gracious home in the countryside or sophisticated New York spots, but even the orphanage in India is surrounded by lush color and ancient historic sites, now overgrown. The director has a deft touch in unspooling the story, which plays out a bit like a mystery, but one where at every turn, we are going deeper into an exploration of the human experience. It is a family drama but one filled with complicated people and difficult choices, where there are no good guys or bad guys, just flawed people striving to make the best of the circumstances. It is a refreshing approach.

AFTER THE WEDDING opens Friday, Aug. 23, at Landmark’s Plaza Frontenac Cinema.

RATING: 3 1/2 out of 4 stars