I saw Anniversary Party the other night, a worthy entry in the "camera observes a gathering" genre. Jennifer Jason Leigh and Alan Cummings wrote and directed, calling in all their friends: Kevin Kline, Phoebe Cates (and their brood), John C. Reilly, Jennifer Beals, Gywneth Paltrow, and Jane Adams, who I enjoy so much that I watched Father of the Bride II just to see her play the calm obstetrician.
Leigh and Cumings also star in their effort, as a dueling show-biz couple--she's the world's Meg Ryan, he's a popular author who has just been given his first directing gig--who have decided to throw a party in celebration of their sixth year of marriage (minus a 6 month separation). Friends, ex-lovers, co-workers, mega movie stars, and even neighbors half a step away from a lawsuit come over to spend the day drinking pink champagne and play charades. And that's about it.
Movies like this succeed or fail on whether or not they make the audience enjoy their lot as voyeurs, and whether or not the actors convince you that they really don't know you're looking. Anniversary Party scores very well on both curves--there are no great moments of truth or closure, but damn it's fun seeing what Hollywood suburbans live like. The actors, all in parts written with an eye not only to their strengths, but their history, return the favor en masse; the ensemble cast works effortlessly together in a variety of combinations.
The only downside is that the movie goes on for three endings too many; thankfully, the story avoids any Moments of Truth or Deep Dark Secrets. I suppose one could argue that this, too, was part of the point: the film, like the party, went on just a little bit too long? Naw.
It doesn't require a big screen and can easily WTDVD, but it's a nice change from blockbusters, so keep it in mind.
