Margot at the Wedding (2007)

Margot and her son Claude decide to visit her sister Pauline after she announces that she is getting married to less-than-impressive Malcolm. In short order, the storm the sisters create leaves behind a a mess of thrashed relationships and exposed family secrets.

Director:

Noah Baumbach

Writer:

Noah Baumbach

Stars:

Zane Pais, Nicole Kidman, Flora Cross

2 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Zane Pais	...	Claude
Susan Blackwell	...	Woman on Train
Nicole Kidman	...	Margot
Jack Black	...	Malcolm
Flora Cross	...	Ingrid
Jennifer Jason Leigh	...	Pauline
Seth Barrish	...	Toby
Matthew Arkin	...	Alan
Brian Kelley	...	Bruce
Christian Hansen	...	Fireman
Michael Cullen	...	Mr. Vogler
Enid Graham	...	Mrs. Vogler
Sophie Nyweide	...	Vogler Daughter
Justin Roth	...	Vogler Son
Ciarán Hinds	...	Dick Koosman

Storyline

A slice of family life: sisters, husbands, children, history, secrets, jealousies. Margot and her teen son, Claude, travel from Manhattan to her family's Long Island home, occupied by sister Pauline, Pauline's daughter, and Malcolm, the slacker Pauline will marry outdoors that week under a tree neighbors want removed. Backbiting marks family discussion, particularly between the sisters and in Margot's cutting remarks to Claude. Pauline tells Margot a secret that Margot promptly tells Claude. Margot dislikes Malcolm and undermines him. She also has marital problems and a lover nearby. People are cruel, inside and outside their families. Is there a refuge for Margot or for Pauline?

---

Plot Keywords:

secret | family secret | jealousy | tree | neighbor | 

---

Taglines:

One family. Infinite degrees of separation.

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexual content and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 February 2008 (Australia)

Also Known As:

Untitled Noah Baumbach Project

Filming Locations:

City Island, Bronx, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$81,035 (USA) (16 November 2007)

Gross:

$1,956,291 (USA) (25 January 2008)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Scott Rudin Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The cinematographer, Harris Savides, used old lenses and shot mostly in natural light to get the dim, ominous look of the film.

---

Goofs

Nicole Kidman's hair color repeatedly switches back and forth between dark brown and lighter reddish-brown.

---

Quotes

Malcolm: Make sure you can handle rejection. I can't.

---

Connections

References Barely Legal All Stars 1 (2004)

---

Soundtracks

"That's All For Everyone"
Written by Lindsey Buckingham
Performed by Fleetwood Mac
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records Inc.
By Arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing

User Reviews

Watching people act out is not necessarily art

While I was less enthusiastic about "The Squid and the Whale" than most, it clearly had it merits. In particular director Noah Baumbach obviously worked extremely well with his actors, drawing fine performances from all. Its not surprising that actors took note of this new talent on the block. To their credit, Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Jack Black all worked for way below their usual fees, simply to do this movie with Baumbach.

All three turn in great performances. There's no doubt about that. The thing is when all is said and done, watching dysfunctional families is not necessarily riveting viewing. At some point you ask yourself, do I really need to see this? "Margot at the Wedding" leaves you with very little other than the performances.

Watching people act out is not art. There really has to be more than this.