By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3 cats
Director: Bart Freundlich
Starring: Abby Quinn | Azhy Robertson | Billy Crudup | Julianne Moore | Michelle Williams | Will Chase
Country: united_states
Year: 2019
Running time: 112
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7985692/reference
Michael says: “I really want to love Bart Freundlich’s films. Not because he’s Julianne Moore’s husband, although I appreciate that he often casts her in his films, but because I loved his debut, THE MYTH OF FINGERPRINTS so much and I keep wanting one of his films to impact me as much, and he just hasn’t been able to do that. I thought that perhaps AFTER THE WEDDING, a remake of the Susanne Bier film from 2006, would do it, as it is another family drama… actually a melodrama, but he approaches the story with such restraint, that it actually loses something. Of course, it does beg the question of whether there really was a need to remake this film at all. He does gender flip the characters, which offers his leads, Michelle Williams and Moore some meaty parts, and to take a look at motherhood in a powerful way, but it doesn’t quite work out that way.
“It wouldn’t be fair to reveal too much of the plot if you haven’t seen either of the parts, but suffice it to say, Isabel (Williams) runs an orphanage in India in need of funding, and Theresa (Moore) is a wealthy New Yorker who runs a major media company is interested in being her benefactor with millions of dollars of potential funding. Theresa insists that Isabel come to New York from India personally to discuss this possibility, but it’s the worst possible time, as Theresa’s daughter is getting married this coming weekend. Theresa invites Isabel to attend the wedding, and during the ceremony, secrets begin to unfold that will have a dramatic impact not only own Isabel, but Moore’s husband Oscar (Billy Crudup) and the rest of her family as well. And those aren’t the only secrets being kept. The plot is rife for some meaty melodrama, but Freundlich, in a way that would usually appeal to me, handles the subject with emotional restraint, that handicaps both the actors and the story.
“Not that these veteran actors don’t do a great job with what they’ve got. Moore particularly, gets to portray a complex woman… one who is rich and powerful enough to exert control on all those around her, even with the best of intentions, while struggling with her own emotional challenges. Also strong is Abby Quinn, who plays the bride, Moore’s daughter, who finds herself caught up in a whirlwind of revelations and emotions, and handles the part beautifully. In the end, if Freundlich had loosened the reins a bit, there could have been some nomination-worthy performances. As it stands, that might not be the case. Still, Freundlich is a strong director in other ways. He’s clearly caring and thoughtful with his choices. I just wish he had written an original story tackling some of these same issues. I suspect the end result might have been better served. 3 cats“
