The Anniversary Party (2001)

Love is complex and relationships deteriorate.

Directors:

Alan Cumming, Jennifer Jason Leigh

Writers:

Jennifer Jason Leigh, Alan Cumming

Stars:

Alan Cumming, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Phoebe Cates

1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Celebrity couple Joe and Sally Therrian are going through yet another rough stage in their six-year marriage: while Joe's novels have been climbing higher and higher on the best-seller lists, Sally's film career has been steadily sinking into oblivion. Joe's been given the rights to cast and direct the screenplay of his latest book, but rather than resurrect Sally's career by casting her in the lead role, he's given it to Sally's rival, Skye Davidson. Even worse, he's invited Skye to their anniversary bash. Will the marriage, or anything else for that matter, survive the party?

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Plot Keywords:

party | ecstasy | housemaid | toast | annoyed neighbor | 

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Taglines:

It's not a party until something gets broken.

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Genres:

Drama | Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, drug use and nudity

Details

Official Sites:

Fine Line Features

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 June 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

Aniversário de Casamento

Filming Locations:

Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$158,533 (USA) (8 June 2001)

Gross:

$4,013,506 (USA) (17 August 2001)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fine Line Features, Pas de Quoi, Ghoulardi Film Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The actors all wrote their own speeches for the toast scene, with the exception of Gwyneth Paltrow's, which was scripted. (according to the featurette on the DVD).

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Goofs

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.

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Quotes

[Sophia enters speaking in horrified disbelief]
Sophia Gold: Oh my God! America just told me that the *neighbors* are coming!
Sally Nash: And here they are!
Sophia Gold: Oh! And she was just saying how happy you were to finally have them over! Because the two of you are so... introspective and shy. Should have done it ages ago, basically.

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Connections

Featured in + de cinéma: Episode dated 16 May 2001 (2001)

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Soundtracks

"A Perfect Day To Chase Tornados"
Written by Mike Pratt (as Michael Pratt)
Performed by Jim White
Courtesy of Luaka Bop, Inc./Narada Productions, Inc.

User Reviews

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."