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'Rachel Getting Married'

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BY RAFER GUZMÁN | rafer.guzman@newsday.com

October 3, 2008

The Buchmans, the family at the center of Jonathan Demme's unconventional and often unpredictable drama "Rachel Getting Married," have their share of issues, from garden-variety jealousies to drug abuse and shattering loss. The bride (Rosemarie DeWitt) may be the star of her wedding, but that means little to her sister, Kym ( Anne Hathaway), a recovering addict still nursing the twin habits of nicotine and cynicism. In a house filled with white dresses and flowers, Kym prowls around in black tights and Goth eyeliner, hogging attention from her protective father ( Bill Irwin, pitch-perfect) and distant mother ( Debra Winger). Even more dominant, however, is a sibling who's missing.

Filmed with handheld cameras, some wielded by the actors, "Rachel" has the intimate feel of a real family gathering. (The heartfelt script comes from Jenny Lumet, daughter of director Sidney.) The wedding itself can be distractingly hip, populated by musicians (Robyn Hitchcock, Tunde Adebimpe of the New York art band TV on the Radio) and filmmakers like Roger Corman. But the one person who unexpectedly commands the screen is Winger, who may be due for a career comeback. In just a few short scenes, her portrayal of a regal but vulnerable woman becomes the secret core of this rich, complicated film.

(R)

PLOT A troubled young woman returns home for her sister’s wedding.

CAST Anne Hathaway, Rosemarie DeWitt, Bill Irwin, Debra Winger

LENGTH 1:54

PLAYING AT Lincoln Plaza Cinemas, Union Square Stadium 14 and City Cinemas 1, 2 and 3, Manhattan. Opens Oct. 24 at Malverne Cinema 4 and Cinema Arts Centre, Huntington.

BOTTOM LINE At its best, this movie feels like a real experience, thanks to terrific performances and Demme’s informal direction.