Directed by Jonathan Demme (Silence of the Lambs, Philadephia, The Manchurian Candidate)

Written by Jenny Lumet (daughter of Sidney Lumet- Dog Day Afternoon, Serpico, Network, Murder on the Orient Express, Twelve Angry Men, The Verdict)

Starring Anne Hathaway

IMDB Synopsis: ” A young woman who has been in and out from rehab for the past 10 years returns home for the weekend for her sister’s wedding.”

I was blown away by this movie. The hand-held documentary feel of the camera work, the naturalistic dialogue and the acting all come together to really bring the viewer into the story. The film gives such a complex, real, and immediate view of this family’s dynamics and interactions. Really brilliantly directed.

Side note: I haven’t seen The Reader yet, but Kate Winslet must have done something really special to beat Anne Hathaway for the Oscar.

So many words come to mind when I reflect on this movie. Heartfelt, genuine, funny, moving, meaningful… though it’s meaningful without ever forcing meaning onto you. Really emotionally powerful. The subject material can be kind of heavy, but it never feels contrived or forced. The movie earns its emotional weight, and, unlike other movies that tackle similar issues, never feels like a burden to see through to the end.

10/10