Writer-director Noah Baumbach solidifies his standing as the modern bard of American dysfunctional families with "Margot at the Wedding," a lacerating film that pushes family drama right to the edge. It is a dark, bitter, gnawing comedy that floats just on the edge of tragedy.
Fearlessly navigating those perilous waters known as family dynamics, Baumbach has followed up his acclaimed 2005 breakthrough "The Squid and the Whale" with another wryly observed, giddily cringe-inducing, bracingly original winner.
Where the previous film took its cue from Baumbach’s own upbringing, "Margot at the Wedding" probes the terminally dysfunctional relationship between two sisters, played, without a safety net, by Nicole Kidman and Jennifer Jason Leigh. The two actresses do some of their best work here, while Baumbach gives further evidence as having one of the most original comic sensibilities in the business.
From the title to some of the plotting, there are affectionate nods in the direction of Eric Rohmer’s "Pauline at the Beach" to be found here, but the tone is unmistakably Baumbach’s own.
While many maintain there’s truth in comedy, writer-director Baumbach operates under the contention that there’s comedy in truth.No matter how horrible or painful life can get, he realizes there’s often an absurdist twinge of irony lurking in the sidelines.
Behind the scenes, director of photography Harris Savides, lends the autumnal Eastern seaboard location a slightly grainy, home movie feel, neatly signaling the less-than-idyllic events to come.
Baumbach likes to cast a wide net. He throws a handful of characters into a situation guaranteed to bring out intense emotions, and then he sees what he can haul in. He is a writer whose characters don’t seem like creations but like actual people, and he is unafraid to let the story follow their personalities wherever they lead.Because he has a good ear, because he follows the truth wherever he finds it, because he’s a genuine artist and because he has no fear of the unpleasant -- he likes the unpleasant -- his films elude cliche. They’re different. They’re never less than good, and "Margot at the Wedding" is his best yet.
In its sharp characters and unexpected moods, "Margot at the Wedding" has the sureness of tone and direction of a Chekhov story. It is rated R and has a running time of 93 minutes.
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''Margot at the Wedding'' to be scree...
Date and Time
Friday Mar 7, 2008 Tuesday Mar 11, 2008
March 7th, 8th, 10th & 11th at 7pm
Sunday, March 9th at 2pm
Location
Smith Opera House82 Seneca StGeneva, NY
Fees/Admission
$5 general admission$3 students & senior citizens
Website
Contact Information
315-781-LIVE (5483) or toll-free 866-355-LIVE (5483)
