07 January 2009

My Week at the Movies: Film 1: Rachel Getting Married

I love going to the movies. John and I went to the theater almost every weekend pre-kids, and going out to a show is one of the social things that I miss most about life before babies. 

It's no surprise, then, that moviegoing was a priority for me during this kid-free week. Last night I ventured out to see Rachel Getting Married. I loved it. It was so honest and unassuming. There were some Narcotics Anonymous scenes that made me realize how much I miss Al-Anon and how powerful recovery can be. The portrayals of both family love and family dysfunction were painfully real, and the overall themes of how to forgive oneself, how to live with guilt, and how to decide who deserves love hit very close to home. Highly recommended.

I think I'm taking tonight off of the movies in favor of dinner with a friend, but Milk is up on Thursday.

27 comments:

Anonymous said...
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Keen said...

I miss the movies, too. I'm psyched you're posting reviews--I need to know which ones are worth my while since I haven't been to see one in the theater in almost a year!

Anonymous said...

I liked "Rachel Getting Married" too, but I thought it needed to be cut by about 30-40 minutes (all those bohemian wedding scenes were a bit too much for me).

Saw "Milk" this past weekend and really liked that too. Great casts in both those movies.

Nancy said...

heh, I'm excited that we just got HBO so we can see all those movies we've missed in the past oh, 4 years ;)

Liz Jimenez said...

Enjoy the movies! I haven't been to one in the theater since the kids were born. Doh!

diana said...

I loved everything about this movie. Glad you enjoyed it, too!

Anonymous said...

Hi -- good for you for getting to the movies! Go for it. But I have to say -- I hated "Rachel Getting Married." I found it so very boring, and it's one of the few movies I've wanted to walk out of -- along with "The Cook, The Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover" and "Gangs of New York." Guess we'll just agree to disagree on that one. :)

I'm interested to hear whether or not you like "Milk." That looks good -- it's definitely on my list.

Anonymous said...

Try "Doubt" -- my husband and I really enjoyed it.

Anonymous said...

Hi, have you heard from Mr. Coffee? Yes, I am nosey. :) - Maggs

Anonymous said...

If you are up to it, can you talk more about Al-Anon? I am trying to be a source of support to a cousin who is a recovering alcoholic now and wonder if you have any tips. Only if you feel like it! Thanks.

Snickollet said...

LCT--

Agree 100% that Rachel could have been cut by at least 30 min., but since it felt like such a luxury to me to be in the theater, I tolerated it better than I would have otherwise. The wedding scenes did go on and on (the toasts, the dancing . . . )

-snick

Jess said...

I loved Rachel Getting Married. I've heard a lot of people elsewhere say they didn't like the toasts too, but I really enjoyed those parts. I thought they were...hm. Maybe the a good way to put it is that they were subtly awkward, and seemed quite realistic.

What I did not like was the Indian themed wedding, with no explanation and no Indian people in sight.

Anonymous said...

I really enjoyed Milk. Very impressed with Sean Penn, he keeps getting better and better! Also liked Slumdog Millionaire.....

Sylvie said...

We saw Milk in Back Bay the weekend after we saw you. It was so good! I think you'll like it. I want to see Rachel Getting Married, though not sure if it's come to Mex yet...

OTRgirl said...

Wish I could go to the movies with you. I also enjoyed Rachel Getting Married and want to see Milk

Lilac Kitten said...

I want to watch it too...maybe this weekend?

Hope you have a lovely one and of course, the remainder of this week!

xx

watercolordaisy said...

Spirit was pretty good. Great cinematography. Fun story. Samuel Jackson was super!

watercolordaisy said...

wish Milk would come here. Doubt it will.

Anonymous said...

So this has nothing to do with movies but I am new to your blog and wanted to THANK you for all you've written here. I started reading your blog on my holiday vacation and found myself working my way through your archives to find out how you and your adorable children ended up where you are (and to learn that Mr. Coffee was indeed a person, not a machine ;) Your honesty and strength in telling your story is amazing.

Anyway, you did a post on how to help friends who are grieving (something I am just terrible at doing) so when my co-worker lost her sister to cancer after Christmas I got my act together and dropped of dinner (with veggies) for her family. If I hadn't read your post I am sure I wouldn't have gotten that done so thank you so much for sharing what you've been through and what has helped you.

I look forward to more movie review this week; enjoy your kid free time!

abernier said...

I totally agree with Jess about the irritating lack of explanation about the Indian-themed wedding. The wedding itself occupied such a major portion of the movie that they could have at least made some reference to why this particular set of (beautiful) customs was being used. If they did mention it, then it blew past me. But Anne Hathaway - what a phenomenal actress!

I hope you enjoy the rest of your non-kid vacation, and I hope also that you have the happiest of reunions!

Anonymous said...

Loved Milk. Glad it's on your list.
Wonderful cast and Sean Penn is such an amazing actor. I always forget who Sean Penn is and really believe that he is the person he portrays. He is one of few actors that do that for me.

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MsGraysea said...

Milk is really spellbinding and Slum Dog Millionaire is as well.
Have heard that Seven Pounds is great but have not seen it.
Glad you are back and hope you are enjoying movie week. Looking forward to hearing more about your Christmas.

Tiffanie said...

Al Anon is awesome

Lyndsay said...

I wondered if you'd been watching the Patrick Swayze interview....

Unknown said...

Slumdog Millionaire is a fantastic movie, and a good one to see in a theatre with a bunch of people. I've seen it twice, and each time the audience CLAPPED at the end-how many times does that happen these days?

I am anxious to see Rachel and Milk, but will probably have to wait for Rachel on DVD since it's long left the burbs near me. Heard great things about Milk.

Anonymous said...

I really recommend Rachel Getting Married! It was one of the best movies I have seen in last few months, maybe a year. Finally movie with emotions, which definitely weren't "cheap". And Anne Hathaway finally not playing some "sweet chick" - excellent.
Take acre
Julie