The Anniversary Party

The Anniversary Party is a 2001 independent film directed by Jennifer Jason Leigh and Alan Cumming, who also wrote the screenplay. The movie is a character-driven comedy-drama that was filmed in just three weeks.

The movie begins with a couple, Sally Nash (Jennifer Jason Leigh) and Joe Therrian (Alan Cumming), celebrating their six-year wedding anniversary. The couple has just reconciled after a brief separation, and Sally has invited her closest friends and colleagues to their home in Los Angeles to celebrate.

The film takes place over the course of one evening and focuses on a group of guests who are attending the party. The guests include some of Sally and Joe's closest friends, such as their former co-star Cal Gold (John C. Reilly) and his wife, Sophia (Mina Badie), a famous actress named Skye Davidson (Gwyneth Paltrow), and Skye's business manager, Jerry Adams (Michael Panes).

As the night progresses, tensions rise and secrets are revealed as each character deals with their own individual struggles. For example, Cal and Sophia are dealing with marital problems, while Skye is trying to find a way out of her increasingly stressful career. Meanwhile, Joe is struggling with his sexuality, and Sally is working through her own insecurities as a writer and actress.

Throughout the movie, there are several subplots that intersect with each other. For example, Joe's therapist (Stephen Rae) unexpectedly shows up at the party, while Sally's ex-boyfriend (Kevin Kline) also makes an appearance. Also, a group of young filmmakers show up at the party, hoping to pitch a movie to Sally.

The movie is shot in a handheld style, which gives it a raw and intimate feel. The camera follows the characters around the house as they interact with each other and deal with their own personal issues. The characters are well-drawn and complex, and the dialogue feels natural and unscripted. Additionally, the movie features several musical performances by the cast.

One of the most interesting aspects of The Anniversary Party is how it explores the relationships between the characters. The movie shows how relationships can be both supportive and destructive, and how people can bring out the best or worst in each other. It also highlights the challenges of maintaining relationships over time, and the importance of communication and honesty.

Overall, The Anniversary Party is a poignant and bittersweet movie that offers a glimpse into the lives of a group of interesting and flawed characters. The movie is well-acted and well-directed, and it tackles some serious issues in a thoughtful and intelligent way. If you're a fan of character-driven dramas, then The Anniversary Party is definitely worth checking out.