635:, Todd McCarthy said the film "is well observed in many particulars but is too familiar in its basic trajectory to be fresh or compelling . . . All the roles are in good hands, and it's mildly amusing in a voyeuristic way to watch the likes of Paltrow behave as we might imagine stars do at a party . . . Although the digital video imprint is still evident, ace vet lenser John Bailey has gone a long way toward making this look like a celluloid-shot picture, most successfully in the bright, daytime scenes, less so at night or under low lighting conditions, where the images sometimes appear washed out."
568:, Stephen Holden called it "an articulate, acutely observant film makes you realize how starved Hollywood movies are for great ensemble acting . . . the movie has such finely woven performances that the best scenes project a convincing illusion of spontaneity . . . Ms. Leigh and Mr. Cumming's screenplay does an amazing job of creating about a dozen fully rounded, nuanced characters with a minimum of words. The dialogue, though it comes quickly and in scraps, is so juicy that the zest with which the actors bite into it suggests they invented it themselves . . . This isn't
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lead role, despite the fact it's partly based on her, because he feels she's too old for the part. This decision, coupled with an ongoing dispute about their barking dog Otis with their strait-laced, non-industry neighbors, clean-and-sober writer Ryan and interior decorator Monica Rose, has resulted in an undercurrent of tension between the two as they prepare for the arrival of their guests.
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and compelling study of bruised emotions . . . were fortunate to secure the services of master cinematographer John Bailey, who brings textured marvels of light and shadow to digital camerawork that is often crude in lesser hands. It's only when the guests head for the pool to play truth games on
Ecstasy while Leigh and Cumming head for the hills for a
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observed, "The appeal of the film is largely voyeuristic. We learn nothing we don't already more or less know, but the material is covered with such authenticity and unforced natural conviction that it plays like a privileged glimpse into the sad lives of the rich and famous. We're like the neighbors
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stated, "The final result should be a self-indulgent mess - and, in truth, the final third of the film comes close. But until Leigh and
Cumming let their actorly urge for high drama blunt their flair for bracing wit and subtle feeling, they turn what could have been an acting stunt into an intimate
602:
said, "Leigh and
Cumming save the best roles for themselves, and both their roles reach major emotional crescendos. Yet to their credit, with all the video in the world at their disposal and nobody to rein them in, they don't indulge themselves. They're both brilliant, spot-on and wonderfully true.
477:, the filmmakers discussed the project at length. Because of conflicting schedules, there was a period of only 19 days in which the entire cast—consisting of friends and actors with whom Leigh and Cumming previously had worked—would be available for filming. This prompted the decision to film using
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Skye brought them as a gift. As it begins to take effect, the night deteriorates, accusations are made, secrets are revealed, and relationships slowly unravel. Complicating emotions triggered by the drug are the disappearance of Otis and a phone call from Joe's father bringing tragic news about his
291:
Sally Nash and Joe
Therrian are a Hollywood couple celebrating their sixth wedding anniversary shortly after reconciling following a period of separation. He is a novelist who is about to direct the screen adaptation of his most recent bestseller; she is an actress he has opted not to cast in the
589:
who are invited. Leigh and
Cumming...are confident professionals who don't indulge their material or themselves. This isn't a confessional home movie, but a cool and intelligent look at a lifestyle where smart people are required to lead their lives according to dumb rules."
572:, by any stretch of the imagination. The empathy the film extends to its characters may be evenly distributed, but it isn't all-embracing. Yet despite its shortcomings, this smart, caustic movie is easily the most incisive and realistic
315:; and up-and-coming actress Skye Davidson, whom Joe has cast in the role Sally believes deservedly is hers. In an effort to dispel the simmering animosity between them and their neighbors, Sally and Joe have invited the Roses as well.
307:
wife Clair; photographer Gina Taylor, whose relationship with Joe prior to his marriage and ongoing close friendship since troubles Sally; business manager Jerry Adams and his wife Judy; eccentric
643:
based on 114 collected reviews, with the consensus: "This Party features a killer cast and many funny scenes, but the movie feels like nothing more than an excuse for the actors to emote."
554:
in May prior to its limited release in the US the following month. It grossed $ 4,047,329 in the US and $ 884,559 in foreign markets for a total worldwide box office of $ 4,931,888.
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The order in which the toasts were made was determined before the scene was filmed, although with the exception of that offered by Skye, they were improvised rather than scripted.
481:, which Leigh felt also added a sense of immediacy and intimacy that would draw the audience into the action as party guests observing everything from the sidelines.
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sparring match that the movie collapses under the weight of its artsy-fartsy ambitions. My advice on how to get the most from this Party is: Leave early."
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film she presently is shooting, his wife Sophia, and their two young children; director Mac
Forsyth, who is directing Sally and Cal's film, and his
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is probably one of those miracles that can happen only once. Still one can't help hoping that Leigh and
Cumming collaborate on another film."
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and lighthearted entertainment. Following a series of toasts offered by the guests, Joe distributes the
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returned to acting for this one film, as a favor to director Leigh, her best friend.
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Actress Mina Badie is Leigh's half-sister, from her mother's second marriage.
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film co-written, co-directed, co-produced by, and co-starring
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Among them are aging actor Cal Gold, Sally's co-star in the
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National Board of Review Award for
Excellence In Filmmaking
677:- Jennifer Jason Leigh and Alan Cumming (nominee - lost to
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Levi Panes; Jeffrey, Joe's roommate - and lover - at
534:and the Adagio from the Sonata No. 1 in G minor by
789:
695:Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Actor
675:Independent Spirit Award for Best First Screenplay
639:currently holds a 61% rating on review aggregator
16:2001 film by Jennifer Jason Leigh and Alan Cumming
822:"FILM REVIEW; So Kissy-Kissy, and Then So Sharky"
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283:'s final film appearance before her retirement.
663:Independent Spirit Award for Best First Film
318:The early part of the evening is devoted to
797:"Festival de Cannes: The Anniversary Party"
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755:British Board of Film Classification
697:- John C. Reilly (nominee - lost to
1116:English-language comedy-drama films
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510:, "I May Never Go Home Anymore" by
451:as Lucy - Joe's Sister (uncredited)
421:as Mary-Lynn (as Mary-Lynn Rajskub)
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1121:English-language independent films
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522:" and "A Lot of Livin' to Do" by
526:, "Stealing My Love from Me" by
502:The film's soundtrack includes "
899:Travers, Peter (June 7, 2001).
623:Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
1061:Films directed by Alan Cumming
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892:
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820:Holden, Stephen (2001-06-08).
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726:List of American films of 2001
445:as Party Guest (as JR W. Reed)
1:
924:McCarthy, Todd (2001-05-15).
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1101:2001 directorial debut films
1066:Films scored by Michael Penn
1051:2000s English-language films
872:LaSalle, Mick (2001-06-22).
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514:, "Comin' Home Baby" by
1041:2001 comedy-drama films
954:"The Anniversary Party"
901:"The Anniversary Party"
879:San Francisco Chronicle
848:"The Anniversary Party"
595:San Francisco Chronicle
457:as Jeffrey (uncredited)
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1106:2001 independent films
1076:Films about filmmaking
647:Awards and nominations
212:June 8, 2001
1011:The Anniversary Party
1000:The Anniversary Party
989:The Anniversary Party
978:The Anniversary Party
780:The Anniversary Party
748:The Anniversary Party
637:The Anniversary Party
605:The Anniversary Party
536:Johann Sebastian Bach
467:In an episode of the
327:beloved sister Lucy.
264:The Anniversary Party
22:The Anniversary Party
1111:2000s American films
913:on December 3, 2007.
380:John Benjamin Hickey
338:Jennifer Jason Leigh
273:Jennifer Jason Leigh
100:Jennifer Jason Leigh
83:Jennifer Jason Leigh
66:Jennifer Jason Leigh
46:Jennifer Jason Leigh
1081:Films about parties
801:festival-cannes.com
665:(nominee - lost to
267:is a 2001 American
1071:Films about actors
827:The New York Times
565:The New York Times
558:Critical reception
474:Anatomy of a Scene
415:as Sanford Jewison
198:Fine Line Features
585:Chicago Sun-Times
574:comedy of manners
562:In his review in
419:Mary Lynn Rajskub
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854:. 2001-06-22
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508:Petula Clark
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489:Phoebe Cates
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455:Matt McGrath
425:Blair Tefkin
394:as Ryan Rose
392:Denis O'Hare
374:Parker Posey
356:Phoebe Cates
344:Alan Cumming
317:
294:
290:
281:Phoebe Cates
277:Alan Cumming
269:comedy drama
263:
262:
261:
228:Running time
205:Release date
174:Michael Penn
127:Phoebe Cates
122:Parker Posey
103:Alan Cumming
86:Alan Cumming
69:Alan Cumming
51:Alan Cumming
934:Variety.com
703:Ghost World
688:Ghost World
580:Roger Ebert
449:Sadie Frost
413:Matt Malloy
352:as Cal Gold
350:Kevin Kline
256:$ 4,931,888
232:115 minutes
188:Pas de Quoi
145:John Bailey
107:Kevin Kline
77:Produced by
39:Directed by
1036:2001 films
1030:Categories
1016:Metacritic
939:2011-03-20
885:2011-03-20
858:2011-03-20
833:2011-03-20
806:2009-10-23
762:2012-12-16
732:References
655:for Otis (
498:Soundtrack
463:Production
368:Jane Adams
253:Box office
216:2001-06-08
181:Production
117:Jane Adams
60:Written by
516:Mel Tormé
427:as Astrid
309:violinist
151:Edited by
994:AllMovie
720:See also
433:as Karen
320:charades
305:neurotic
301:anorexic
245:Language
170:Music by
94:Starring
930:review"
928:Variety
632:Variety
592:In the
582:of the
570:Chekhov
550:at the
542:Release
471:series
443:JR Reed
324:ecstasy
248:English
237:Country
214: (
183:company
713:winner
657:winner
313:Oxford
750:(18)"
506:" by
983:IMDb
701:for
685:for
681:and
546:The
528:Lulu
331:Cast
287:Plot
275:and
1014:at
1003:at
992:at
981:at
783:at
629:In
613:of
518:, "
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