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The Worst Film Ever

Must See Movie...

Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

The Anniversary Party (2001): Dir: Alan Cumming, Jennifer Jason Leigh / Cast: Alan Cumming, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Kevin Kline, Phoebe Cates, Gwyneth Paltrow: Detailed look at truths and secrets harboured by couples. Jennifer Jason Leigh and Alan Cumming celebrate their sixth anniversary after a year separation. He is a novelist casting a former girlfriend in a film version of his latest work. They invite friends including real life couple Kevin Kline and Phoebe Cates. Kline is a former co-star of Leigh's, and Cates paused her career to raise a family. Realistic yet disjointed with buried secrets surfacing. Cumming and Leigh show great potential as first time directors. They manage to keep track of subplots surrounding the ensemble cast. Leigh conceals her resentment while Cumming verges upon crumbling. They both must face facts within their marriage including the false front they display amongst their peers to give the illusion that they are a happy couple. As the evening wears on truths surface that threaten to traumatize their marriage. Kline and Cates display wonderful chemistry that very well may be true in reality. They are observers but not imitators. Gwyneth Paltrow appears as an actress and former girlfriend of the Cumming character. Engaging film about relationships that generates great potential from both its leads in front and behind the camera. Score: 9 / 10

I looked at this DVD for the first time in at least 5 or 6 years. I am a fan of the genre, but had forgotten about the film.Looking back at it after all this time, I now understand what made this flick so forgettable.Do not get me wrong, a couple of these type of ensemble movies are among my all-time favorites, including "The Big Chill" and "It's My Party." This movie, however, is nearly unwatchable in parts.Sorry, but the casting of the entire Kline family to play....The Klines...was cringe-inducing. Similarly, the central characters are not believable from the get-go. The entire movie plays out as an actors exercise, with dollops of insider references sprinkled throughout to give everyone a sense of what Hollywood is allegedly all about.I am not sure how many times the term 'self-indulgement' popped up in my mind while watching this, but it was my primary thought through the entire first half-hour. With a set-up this superficial, any of the developing drama was bound to fall flat. Who was there to empathize with?The main reason I didn't rate this film worse is probably the performances of Posey, Hickey and Badie. Additionally, there were occasionally searing glimpses of narcissistic truth thrown in.Honestly, though. I love a new age-type party, but watching the allegedly spontaneous performances at the celebratory portion of the evening, where the guests speak to the hosts was....how can I put this gracefully....making me glad I had not eaten before viewing it.Considering my expectations for this sort of film, and the casting, it may be as disappointing a movie as I have seen.

When you get the opportunity, as this movie gives you, to peek into the lives of others, you generally find that they are not terribly different from your own.You have the same problems with neighbors, the same insecurities about your relationships, the same difficulties in dealing with friend's disappointments, and the same neuroses.We spent some time getting to know the guests at the party which was essential, and it was enjoyable watching them interact with each other. They may be actors, directors, producers, writers, etc., but they are basically people just like us.Then came the real party after they took ecstasy. Then those insecurities and neuroses and hidden feelings really came out.The film was funny, tender, and a thrill to watch. An indie that presented an outstanding ensemble of great actors that made you feel right at home, even if you felt a little creepy peeking in on them.

Written, produced and starring Jennifer Jason Leigh and Alan Cumming. Joe(Cumming)and Sally(Leigh)throw a party to celebrate the ending of a year apart and their 6th wedding anniversary; and currently going through the motions of wanting to start a family and a move to London. Some of their closest friends past and present plus their neighbors are invited to this gathering. One of those attending is an actress(Gwyneth Paltrow)starring in Joe's novel turned into a movie. Sally is an actress herself and struggling with emotional matters. Friend Cal(Kevin Kline) and his wife(Phoebe Cates)are among the invitees.The party really starts to lose control at the get-go. Jealousies, politically incorrectness and bickering neighbors make the party awkward. As the party moves out to the pool and the mood elevating drug Ecstacy is passed around, diverse personalities watch this get-together spiral into confusion.This drama is also a cruel comedy and some may find this movie not even worth watching for two hours. I really enjoyed Leigh, but thought Cumming annoying as hell. Not really being a Paltrow fan...I found her very interesting. The cast also features: Parker Posey, Jennifer Beals, Jane Adams, Denis O'Hare and John C. Reilly.