Let me get this out there. I went into Rachel Getting Married thinking it was a dark comedy and in no way is this what the film is. So, I’ve had to adjust my immediate opinion based on the fact that I had the wrong assumption. Yes, there is definitely some funny moments but overall this is a serious movie with some very depressing, sad scenes.
With that said, I have to agree with the critics, Ann Hathaway gives the best performance of her career. She was the shining star of the movie. Playing a recovering drug addict dealing with the consequences of her past choices, she is home for her sisters wedding. The wedding provides many beautiful non-traditional wedding scenes and makes for a visually, very pretty movie. But, with five-minute dance scenes and three too many speeches at the rehearsal dinner, the movie needed tighter editing. I think it could have 30-minutes cut out of it, easy. Additionally, the film is shot with a very jerky, shaky camera. I definitely do not think this in any way enhanced the movie, except in a few scenes.
Overall, I would give it one-thumb-up and one-thumb down. Thumb up for the acting and for the emotion so accurately portrayed. Thumb down for the poor editing, shaky camera and overall depressing tone when I personally thought the trailer depicted it as a bit more upbeat.
