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It
is a cold, hard fact that while one person may be able to get along
with a bunch of people, those people may not be able to get along
with each other. That's the case with The Anniversary Party,
the directorial debut of actors and co-writers Alan Cumming and Jennifer
Jason Leigh. While the film certainly proves that Cumming and Leigh
have a lot to say, its depressing, contrived, and self-indulgent tone
may force people outside the Los Angeles area to tear up their invitation.
After a yearlong
separation, author-turned-filmmaker Joe Therrian (Alan Cumming)
and his actress-wife Sally (Jennifer Jason Leigh) have reconciled
their differences and decide to throw a bash to celebrate their
sixth anniversary. They invite all their shallow, self-absorbed
friends and colleagues, but the party starts on a bad note with
the arrival of their narrow-minded neighbors. The already touchy
mood goes from bad to worse when a drug-induced binge digs up some
buried emotions, and Sally and Joe are once again forced to ponder
their future.
The Anniversary
Party feels like Cumming and Leigh had a party of their own,
invited their closest friends, and filmed whatever happened. Unfortunately,
not much does, and what little does happen might be too specialized
for audiences outside of LA to relate to. Not only are these show-biz
partygoers too pathetic and self-absorbed to have any redeeming
qualities (hey, that's Hollywood), but most of what they complain
about doesn't seem all that important in the relative scheme of
things.
Actually,
the highlights of The Anniversary Party belong to the actors
who've kept a low profile in recent years. Jennifer Beals (Flashdance)
not only puts in a strong performance, but she rises above the rest
of the cast to be the most likable character in the movie. Phoebe
Cates (Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Gremlins) returns to
the big screen and plays a former actress who gave up her career
to raise a family. If that sounds familiar, it should. Not only
is it based on her, but her real-life husband Kevin Kline plays
her husband in the movie.
The Anniversary
Party deteriorates from a mildly amusing dark comedy into a
mishmash of pretentious and overly dramatic escapades. Alan Cumming
and Jennifer Jason Leigh may have been trying to make a film that
reflected who they really are, but with friends like these, who
needs enemies? Take my word for it, if you get an invitation to
this party, tell them you can't make it, and send a gift instead.
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