Rachel Getting MarriedMovie Reviews

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Must Go!
Avg. Critic Score: 82 out of 100 Universal acclaim Metascore® based on all critic reviews
Information for Parents:
16 Iffy for 16+
Read Common Sense Media review

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 100
    Entertainment Weekly | Owen Gleiberman

    A triumph -- Demme's finest work since "The Silence of the Lambs," and a movie that tingles with life. Read full review

  • 100
    Chicago Sun-Times | Roger Ebert

    A friend asked: "Wouldn't you love to attend a wedding like that?" In a way, I felt I had. Yes, I began to feel absorbed in the experience. A few movies can do that, can slip you out of your mind and into theirs. Read full review

  • 90
    Variety | Ronnie Scheib

    Brimming with energy, elan and the unpredictability of his "Something Wild," Jonathan Demme's triumphant Rachel Getting Married may just lay the wedding film to rest, being such a hard act to follow. Read full review

  • 90
    Los Angeles Times | Kenneth Turan

    Best and most unexpected of all, Rachel Getting Married dares to mix the bitter with the sweet. It understands that life-altering situations like weddings not only bring out the worst in human behavior but also the finest. Read full review

  • 90
    The New York Times | A.O. Scott

    It's a small movie, and in some ways a very sad one, but it has an undeniable and authentic vitality, an exuberance of spirit, that feels welcome and rare. Read full review

  • 88
    Rolling Stone | Peter Travers

    The acting is of the highest caliber. Winger, magnificent and too long between films, is a volcano of repressed anger. Read full review

  • 80
    Washington Post | Michael O'Sullivan

    The sprawling cast, the naturalistic, overlapping dialogue (here by screenwriter Jenny Lumet, daughter of director Sidney) and the swirling action: it seemed pure Robert Altman. Read full review

  • 80
    The Hollywood Reporter |

    A film whose lightness of touch rides a wave of family conflict to perfectly balance smiles and tears. Read full review

  • 75
    USA Today | Claudia Puig

    At its best in scenes featuring Hathaway's mercurial character. It's a triumphant and darkly nuanced role for her and a departure from the more lighthearted comedic performances she has given. Read full review

  • 50
    San Francisco Chronicle | Mick LaSalle

    A fine ensemble piece, but a maddening and unjustified length. Read full review

View more reviews for Rachel Getting Married on Metacritic

Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says Iffy for 16+ Intense, insightful family drama celebrates love.
What Parents Need to Know Parents need to know that this intense family drama addresses certain subjects -- drug addiction, death, family dysfunction -- that may be overwhelming for younger teens who are drawn to it by Anne Hathaway's star power. But they're dealt with so sensitively and compassionately that older teens may find the film quite impactful. Expect plenty of swearing and social drinking (as well as discussions about alcoholism and drug use). Characters also explore dark emotional terrain, and adult family members are hurtful -- verbally and physically -- to each other.
  • Families can talk about the movie's messages. What does it say about the power of forgiveness, especially of forgiving yourself? How is the movie similar to, and different from, others that deal with addiction? Is it a realistic portrayal? Does that make it easier or harder to watch? Are there typical clichés and pitfalls that this movie manages to avoid? Which ones, and how? Families can also discuss why Kym acts the way she does when she comes home. Why does she seem so uncomfortable? How does her family react to her? Why?
The good stuff
  • message true0 Positive messages: A dysfunctional family, still mourning the death of a loved one, unravels during a wedding weekend. Feelings are honestly aired, and the words sting. But there's also a whole lot of love going around, and not just because the central event is a wedding. Though angry with each other and deeply confused, relatives clearly care for each other and wish each other well.
What to watch for
  • violence false2 Violence: Screaming and arguing among family members. At one point, two relatives actually get physical, and it's ugly, though very telling. A character purposefully drives straight into a street sign and beyond.
  • sex false2 Sex: Two people who are virtual strangers have a quick tryst in a dark room (hardly any nudity shown). Some suggestive dancing.
  • language false4 Language: Frequent strong language includes "f--k," "s--t" "c--ksucker," and "bastard."
  • consumerism false2 Consumerism: Some mentions of Rite Aid, the Olympic Games, and the TV series Cops. Pellegrino bottles are displayed prominently.
  • drugsalcoholtobacco false4 Drinking, drugs and smoking: The central character is a former junkie, and there's frank conversation about things she's done while high. She also smokes. Several scenes show Narcotics Anonymous meetings; the 12-step process is referred to often. Some social drinking during a wedding and rehearsal dinner.
An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology. © Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

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Dave White

4.5

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