The Anniversary Party (2001)

Directors:

Alan Cumming
Jennifer Jason Leigh

Writers:

Jennifer Jason Leigh (written by) &
Alan Cumming (written by)

Release Date:

24 June 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Comedy

Tagline:

It's not a party until something gets broken.

Plot:

Love is complex and relationships deteriorate.

Plot Keywords:

Party | Ecstasy | Toast | Ballet | Nudity

Awards:

1 win & 4 nominations

Cast

Alan Cumming	...	Joe Therrian
Jennifer Jason Leigh	...	Sally Therrian
Otis	...	Himself (as Otis the Dog)
Steven Freedman	...	Yoga Instructor
Norizzela Monterroso	...	America
Clara Demedrano	...	Rosa
John Benjamin Hickey	...	Jerry Adams
Parker Posey	...	Judy Adams
Phoebe Cates	...	Sophia Gold
Kevin Kline	...	Cal Gold
Owen Kline	...	Jack Gold
Greta Kline	...	Evie Gold
Denis O'Hare	...	Ryan Rose
Mina Badie	...	Monica Rose
Jane Adams	...	Clair Forsyth

MPAA:

Rated R for language, drug use and nudity.

Runtime:

115 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Portugal:M/16 | South Korea:18 | Canada:14A (Canadian Home Video rating) | Australia:MA | France:U | Germany:12 | Netherlands:12 | Spain:13 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | UK:18 | USA:R (No. 37899) | Iceland:12

Filming Locations:

Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Fine Line Features

Trivia:

The yoga instructor is played by Jennifer and Alan's real yoga instructor.

Goofs:

Continuity: After Judy throws the diving sticks into the pool, several guests jump in, including a shirtless Joe. In the next shot, Joe is on the grass, wearing his shirt and dry.

Quotes:

Joe Therrian: Would you like a lolly? You're never too old for a lolly.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in For Pete's Wake! (2007)

Soundtrack:

I Know A Place

Wonderful ensemble improvisational acting, and a digital video Hollywood landmark production.

Cloying at times but very compelling and all-but-unpredictable, 'Anniversary' surprises with its power and brutal candor, especially when one tries to discern the autobiographical truths. Saw it last at Disney company screening in NYC when I had no idea what I was about to see or who had created it. Amazed at end to discover in credits that co-stars Cumming and Leigh had written and directed the film.

Was especially struck by the performances of Jennifer Beals--whom I did not recognize--and Phoebe Cates, whose brilliance in one climactic scene w/ Leigh is startling. Impressed at heavyweights in cast like Kline, Paltrow and Cumming. Delighted to see John C. Reilly again (but where was buddy Philip Seymour Hoffman?) Newcomer Mina Badie was the most striking "rookie" in cast (but one whose name, phonetically, rivals that of "Snidely Whiplash.")

The technical miracle here came when I realized--only after screening and upon reading production notes--that the "film" was actually shot on digital video. I defy any non-pro viewer to recognize the difference. The success of the remarkably soft film-like cinematography here by veteran John Bailey may accelerate Hollywood's embrace of much cheaper, quicker video production. It's unintrusive effect is dazzling here.

Biggest flaw here is lack of substantial "story" and reliance on lengthy Ecstacy scene and theme. The politically incorrect happy-drug message here will hurt the movie with mainstream critics. This despite fact that plot does eventually include a moralistic, anti-drug hard-drug lesson in its somewhat predictable conclusion.