Rachel Getting Married (2008)
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A woman recently released from rehab returns home for her sister's wedding, navigating the complexities of her past and her family's expectations.
The story
Kym Buchman is released from rehab for a few days to attend her older sister Rachel's wedding at their childhood home. While friends and family prepare for the festivities, Kym struggles to reintegrate with them, as her history of substance abuse has made her the black sheep of the family. Despite her nine months of sobriety, her family remains uncomfortable with her presence. As the wedding preparations progress, Kym must navigate the tension of her past actions while attempting to find a place within the family dynamic during the high-pressure environment of the wedding weekend.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Kym Buchman is released from rehab for a few days to attend her older sister Rachel's wedding at their childhood home. While friends and family prepare for the festivities, Kym struggles to reintegrate with them, as her history of substance abuse has made her the black sheep of the family. Kym and Rachel's fiancé, Sidney, share a connection from a support group, leading to a physical encounter. Tensions peak during a rehearsal dinner where Kym's 'amends' are viewed as insincere by Rachel, who reveals she is pregnant. Kym later reveals she feels guilt over the death of her younger brother, Ethan, who drowned while she was driving him as a teen. A conflict arises when it's revealed Kym lied about her past during treatment. After a physical altercation with her mother, Abby, Kym crashes her car in a potential suicide attempt. She is rescued and brought to the wedding, where Rachel cares for her. During the ceremony, Kym serves as maid of honor. The film ends with the sisters embracing the morning after the wedding.
- First release year
- 2008
- Runtime (minutes)
- 114
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Jonathan Demme
- Writers
- Jenny Lumet · writer
- Cast and characters
- Anne Hathaway · Kym; Rosemarie DeWitt · Rachel; Bill Irwin · Paul; Tunde Adebimpe · Sidney; Mather Zickel · Kieran; Anna Deavere Smith · Emma; Debra Winger · Abby
- Genres
- drama; comedy-drama; black comedy
- Themes
- substance abuse; family dynamics; forgiveness; grief
- Tone and mood
- naturalistic; raw; poignant
- Premise and plot tags
- road trip; wedding; recovery
- Content notes
- substance abuse
- Reception
- The film received critical acclaim and was praised for its performances, particularly by Anne Hathaway and Rosemarie DeWitt, and for its authentic, raw atmosphere.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 85 · scale: 100 · review count: 36
- Awards and nominations
- Best Actress · Academy Awards · 81st · Nominated; Best Actress · National Board of Review Awards · 80th · Nominated; Best Actress · Golden Globe Awards · 66th · Nominated; Best Actress · Screen Actors Guild Awards · 15th · Nominated; Best Actress · Critics' Choice Awards · 14th · Won; Best Feature · Independent Spirit Awards · 24th · Nominated
- Production trivia
- The working title was Dancing with Shiva.; The screenplay was written by Jenny Lumet, the daughter of director Sidney Lumet.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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