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Movies / On DVD / The Anniversary Party
The Anniversary Party

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The Anniversary Party (2001)

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Reviews Counted:111

Fresh:67

Rotten:44

Average Rating:5.8/10

Consensus: This Party features a killer cast and many funny scenes, but the movie feels like nothing more than an excuse for the actors to emote.

Runtime: 1 hr 55 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: To celebrate their sixth anniversary, successful novelist Joe Therrian (Alan Cumming) and his wife, famous Hollywood actress Sally (Jennifer Jason Leigh), invite their friends over for a party.... To celebrate their sixth anniversary, successful novelist Joe Therrian (Alan Cumming) and his wife, famous Hollywood actress Sally (Jennifer Jason Leigh), invite their friends over for a party. Sally and Joe have only recently reconciled after a separation, and the strain in their relationship reveals itself as the party progresses. An especially difficult topic is Joe's casting of trendy young actress Skye Davidson (Gwyneth Paltrow) in a film based on his latest novel--a role that might have gone to Sally. Also present are the Therrians's neurotic friends: the insecure director Mac (John C. Reilly) and his neurotic wife Clair (Jane Adams), movie star Cal Gold (Kevin Kline) and his wife Sophia (Phoebe Cates)--who has given up her career to support their children, and the next door neighbors, who have their own problems. The result is truly a night to remember. Jennifer Jason Leigh and Alan Cumming cowrote and codirected THE ANNIVERSARY PARTY, casting their friends in the lead roles, and shooting on digital video to give the film more intimacy and freedom than mainstream Hollywood dramas. Featuring fresh, honest acting from its ensemble and brilliant performances from Leigh and Cumming, THE ANNIVERSARY PARTY is a hilarious look at life and love. [More]

Starring: Jane Adams, Jennifer Beals, Phoebe Cates, Alan Cumming

Starring: Jane Adams, Jennifer Beals, Phoebe Cates, Alan Cumming, John Benjamin Hickey, Kevin Kline, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Gwyneth Paltrow, Parker Posey, John C. Reilly, Michael Panes, Denis O'Hare, Mina Badie, Karen Kilgariff, Matt Malloy

Director: Alan Cumming, Jennifer Jason Leigh

Director: Alan Cumming, Jennifer Jason Leigh
Screenwriter: Alan Cumming, Jennifer Jason Leigh
Producer: Alan Cumming, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Joanne Sellar
Composer: Michael Penn
Studio: Fine Line Features

[See More Credits]

Reviews for The Anniversary Party

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Full Review Source: Hollywood.com | comment Comment
11/20/08
Stacie Hougland
Stacie Hougland
Hollywood.com

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Sacramento News & Review | comment Comment
08/07/08
Bob Grimm
Bob Grimm
Sacramento News & Review
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
05/27/08
Todd McCarthy
Todd McCarthy
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

As first film, it suffers from problems of most movies directed by actors: Big emotional scenes and indulgent acting. But it has moments of truth, with waves of recognition flowing between the thesps onscreen and viewers offsceen who know showbiz.

Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com | comment Comment
04/20/06
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

...because Cumming and Leigh avoid most (though not all) of the easy choices common to first-time writers and directors, the movie stays on the right side of entertaining.

Full Review Source: DVDJournal.com | comment Comment
04/05/06
Mark Bourne
Mark Bourne
DVDJournal.com

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/06/05
Film Threat

... it's fascinating to search for these characters' hearts under the layers of makeup, denial, disguise, excuses, fantasies, and ego.

Full Review Source: Looking Closer | comment Comment
12/06/04
Jeffrey Overstreet
Jeffrey Overstreet
Looking Closer
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: New York Magazine | comment Comment
08/07/04
Peter Rainer
Peter Rainer
New York Magazine

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Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
03/16/04
Apollo Guide

Intenso e fascinante, o filme se apóia inteiramente no imenso talento de seu elenco e é recompensado com atuações absolutamente irretocáveis – e é claro que a dupla de diretores merece créditos por isto.

comment Comment
10/12/03
Pablo Villaca
Pablo Villaca
Cinema em Cena
N/R

Lo que hicieron Leigh y Cumming fue reunir a un grupo de amigos actores, y disparar algunas acideces sobre comportamientos más bien frívolos que generalmente esconden costados más amargos del ser humano.

Full Review Source: Uruguay Total | comment Comment
03/22/03
Enrique Buchichio
Enrique Buchichio
Uruguay Total

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
03/10/03
Kimberly Jones
Kimberly Jones
Austin Chronicle

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Full Review Source: Film Quips Online | comment Comment
02/08/03
John R. McEwen
John R. McEwen
Film Quips Online

A raw yet relaxed film buff’s film... a wittier, recast version of one of your own dinner parties, with enough high drama to keep the guests talking for quite a while.

Full Review Source: Entertainment Today | comment Comment
01/16/03
Brent Simon
Brent Simon
Entertainment Today

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Nick's Flick Picks | comment Comment
01/10/03
Nick Davis
Nick Davis
Nick's Flick Picks
N/R

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Full Review Source: Hot Button | comment Comment
01/07/03
David Poland
David Poland
Hot Button

Co-directors Jason Leigh and Cummings have delivered an uncharacteristically smart comedy with surprising dramatic turns and excellent performances across the board.

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/08/02
Chris Gore
Chris Gore
Film Threat

Focusing on the relationship between Sally and Joe ... The Anniversary Party reveals itself as a devastating parable about love, unfolding much like a stage play.

Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
11/18/02
Rachel Deahl
Rachel Deahl
Boxoffice Magazine

Unfortunately, more often than not it settles for the bright Yuppie banter ... you would expect of this bunch of characters.

Full Review Source: San Diego Metropolitan | comment Comment
10/21/02
Jean Lowerison
Jean Lowerison
San Diego Metropolitan

An encouraging sign, both for the potential of low-budget, digital video movie-making and for the potential of talented actors to bring fresh ideas to the other side of the camera.

Full Review Source: Cincinnati Enquirer | comment Comment
10/15/02
Margaret A. McGurk
Margaret A. McGurk
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 >> >|
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Latest News for The Anniversary Party

December 13, 2005: Cumming, Heche & Boreanaz to Work for "Charity"
Actor/director Alan Cumming will helm and star in "Suffering Man's Charity," a dark comedy indie ensemble that just began production in Los Angeles. More...

See All

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