THE ANNIVERSARY PARTY

2001

Actors Alan Cumming and Jennifer Jason Leigh, who met while acting together in the Broadway musical "Cabaret," have written, directed, and star in this seemingly improvised, mostly self-indulgent drama about a Hollywood couple and their "friends." Joe (writer/director)and his wife Sally(aging actress) are getting together again (after a trial separation,) to celebrate their 6th wedding anniversary. They've invited many of their closest friends (who are also in "the business") to help them celebrate. Each actor seems to be playing a person dangerously close to his/her own personality...at least as we the public perceive them. This makes the movie somewhat voyeuristic for the viewer. Things get ugly when one guest produces the obligatory Ecstasy, and emotions, seething just below the surface, begin to erupt. The acting, (and lets hope that it IS acting,) is excellent, but not surprising when you consider the guest-list at the "party:"... Kevin Kline and his real wife Phoebe Cates, Gwyneth Paltrow, John C. Reilly, Jennifer Beals, Jane Adams, etc. When you add Cumming and the "I'm-not-really-nuts" Leigh, there's enough angst in that room to solve California's energy problem!

3 Stars

NJB