Margot at the Wedding

A film that had promise, with lots of stars in its cast (Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jack Black) and the premise of a dysfunctional pair of sisters coming together for one's low-key wedding. How adult siblings sometimes act around one another, with actions colored by grievances stemming back to childhood, is certainly fertile ground for universal emotions. Unfortunately this one gets tedious as it goes along, with the characters devolving into caricatures lacking realism. I didn't mind so much that the story meandered, I mean that's how life is after all, but I think the film thought it was deeper than it was. Oh, it tries hard, with bizarre nextdoor neighbors, the whiff of an underage relationship with the babysitter, hints of childhood trauma, etc, but it's all without substance and nothing sticks. It's a shame, because with a better script, this could have been a gem.

Some quotes might illustrate my point: "I think Becky got it the worst." "Did she ever. Raped by the horse-trainer." (hysterical, unexplained laughter ensues)

"Did she poop in her pants?" "It happens to everyone, not just babies. It'll happen to you too, someday."

"I masturbated last night. While everyone was asleep, I went into the bathroom and did it." "You don't need to tell me that, sweetie."