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by Stephen Wong
"The Anniversary Party,” Jennifer Jason Leigh and Alan Cumming’s biting adult comedy is full of caustic wit and edgy performances that are so convincing, the film almost borders on the excessive. The film, co-written and co-directed by Jason Leigh and Cumming revolves around Joe and Sally’s sixth anniversary party. What makes this anniversary a bit more meaningful is the fact that they’ve just gotten back together after a five-month separation. Jason Leigh plays Sally Nash, a “possessive-fragile-neurotic” (and fading) actress, and Alan Cumming plays her insecure, immature novelist husband Joe Therrian, who’s just been named the director for the film adaptation of his latest work.
Seemingly, their life together is picture perfect. They live in a beautiful glass house in the Hollywood Hills, Sally is an acclaimed actress, Joe is experiencing fabulous professional success, and the only problem seems to be their next door neighbors complaining about their dog Otis barking too much. The friends who show up at the party are a slice out of Entertainment Weekly: famous actors, actresses, directors, authors, photographers and musicians, put together in one of the most incredible ensemble casts, featuring the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, Kevin Klein, Phoebe Cates, Jane Adams, John C. Reilly, Parker Posey and Jennifer Beals. They’re a tapestry of eccentricities and talents that are probably a carbon copy of life in Hollywood.
Needless to say, things aren’t perfect, and it becomes very evident as the party progresses. Sally loathes the tall, strikingly beautiful Gina (Jennifer Beals), who was Joe’s best friend and confidante during their breakup, and Joe is forced to swallow his tongue, with his neighbors – on the brink of a lawsuit over the dog barking issue – also attending the party. Sally and Joe are also at arms over his directorial debut, since the principal character of his novel is supposedly based on Sally, yet the person he’s cast for the part is the young, blonde and hot commodity Skye Davidson (Gwyneth Paltrow).
The film’s dialogue is relentless and funny, and the performances are captivating. Phoebe Cates as Sally’s best friend Sophia is the essential Miss Perfect, and Jane Adams (“Happiness”) is hilarious as the idiosyncratic and quirky Claire. Shot on digital video, the camera work is much more personal, and works seamlessly with the colorful and intense characters. The scene that will make the movie worth your time is The Toast. Entirely improvised, each actor reveals a deeper connection to the story that is as real and honest as I’ve seen in a film. The film starts to wander off near the end, as ecstasy (the drug that is) and some forced drama take over, but the journey’s still interesting.
Stephen Wong, 2001
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