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 film was written by Leigh and Cumming for their friends, and shot in 19 days using SONY DSR-500 digital video cameras.

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:

[On the downside of starting a family]
Sophia Gold: You can't do yourself in! Kids just rob you of that option!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in For Pete's Wake! (2007)

Soundtrack:

Moanin'

Jennifer Jason Leigh and the aging circle

I can understand how many will find THE ANNIVERSARY PARTY an indulgent, sneering little movie lacking in focus and ultimate catharsis; but I enjoyed it, quite a bit actually, if only to see some of Hollywood's finest talent freeing themselves from the studios for the intimacy of a digital shoot. I admired Party for being bold, clever, funny, cutting and occasionally brilliant. The ending felt a bit forced at first (the off screen family death as catalyst for conclusion was used to better effect in TWO GIRLS AND A GUY - another actor-driven digital indie), but ultimately it fit for Sally and Joe to end where they began, Narcissist and Echo.

Other comments have provided good synopses; I won't elaborate save for one obvious theme so far missed, that of chasing lost youth. It's quite depressing really, for at this party, Generation X officially goes over the hill. All my life I've been vaguely annoyed at self-obsessed Baby Boomer flicks like The Big Chill and The Ice Storm that seemed to congratulate an entire generation for being so damn dysfunctional. Well (*sigh*), now such movies will be made about my generation, here defined as neither willing nor ready to grow up. Gwyneth as "Skye @#*%ing Davidson" has the one thing all else at the party have lost, and the little pills she brings offers a last, desperate attempt to participate in her "youth culture" (ages 8-29 need only apply). Klein's presence (an obvious reference to the Big C) suggests that some Boomers are still chasing that lost youth. Meanwhile, Gen-X is just getting started.

"So much for Ecstasy."