Baumbach's 'Margot At The Wedding', in the centre, tells the story of a writer who reunites with her sister at her 'wedding'. Margot is a neurotic borderliner who would go around picking flaws at and diagnosing other people to avoid her own issues. She is so afraid of loss that she keeps her son dependent on her but at the same time she keeps everyone at a distance. Her sister Pauline, also a borderliner, is pretty much an extension of her EXCEPT that she tries to stay optimistic and is trying to heal and dealing with her own issues. Their awkward reunion creates a clash of their personalities, reveals clues of some disturbing family history and results in chaos.
Baumbach's execution is raw and simplistic. The minimal use of music, slightly washed out colours, unpolished visuals and hand-held camera-work allows the audience to be involved in the characters' lives as voyeurs. Either the viewer is peeking into the private moments of the sisters or he/she is there as a silent observer. Baumbach's writing is terrific. Even though the dialogues are of few words, they speak volumes and go back to years of experience. The characters are superbly written. Even though you resent them at some point or even laugh at them, you care about them throughout. In the dialogues between the sisters, Baumbach hints some dark underlying themes such as incest, rape, abuse, over-dependence, dysfunctional relationships and abandonment. He does not fully explore them but cleverly suggests them allowing the viewer to ponder. There are also plenty of subtle themes that are introduced.
Nicole Kidman, once again, delivers an excellent performance. She proves that she can handle any complex role and this is why she is among the best. Jennifer Jason Leigh is equally stupendous as Pauline. Watching Margot and Pauline really felt like watching two real sisters who have had a chaotic unsettling family history. Both Kidman and Jason Leigh display raw emotions that move the viewer. Jack Black too is great as Malcolm. Zane Pais and Flora Cross are good and John Torturro is brilliant.
'Margot At The Wedding' is one of the darkest comedies that centre around a dysfunctional family. It's disturbing but also funny and keeps you pondering. It might not appeal to all but there are some of us who can appreciate this kind of movie.
