A friend of mine recommended that I see it a few years
ago. I had forgotten about it until last
week when I was surfing through the movie channels, so I recorded it.
This is a drama about Kym (Anne Hathaway), a young woman coming home on
a weekend pass from rehab for her sister’s (Rosemarie DeWitt) wedding.
It is a heart wrenching and complex
movie that focuses on addiction and its effects on Kym and her family.
The relationship between Kym and her sister (Rachel) is
strained, to say the least, due to all of the energy that Kym sucks out of
their family’s life, specifically from their father. Rachel’s resentment and identification of the
“elephant in the room” pours out during a time that should be reserved for joy
and celebration.
Ultimately, Kym is tortured over tragic destruction done
while she was under the influence. At
one point in the film Kym says, in a 12 step meeting; “I struggle with God so much, because I can’t forgive myself. And I don’t really want to right now. I can live with it, but I can’t forgive
myself. And sometimes I don’t want to
believe in a God that could forgive me.
It was often uncomfortable and sometimes tormenting to watch Kym's lack of emotional stability in action. And although this movie was not based on a true story, it is a true story, for many people. The realities
of the havoc addictions inflict on the addict and people in their lives, are
irrefutable and shows up in this achingly real-life synopsis.
While I do give this movie a “thumbs up”, it is definitely NOT a good “date” or snuggle on the couch flick!
Ivy, well said. You really captured the essence of the movie and you have persuaded me to watch it. I would have to agree that it doesn't sound like a good date movie, but I have always been interested in movies or shows about drug addictions, like Intervention, because it is real life situations. Sounds like a movie I'd like to watch!
ReplyDeleteReally solid review, with enough information to let me know whether or not to watch the movie. I am interested, it sounds good, but I'm going to have to wait until after Final Exams week.
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