Margot at the Wedding
One family. Infinite degrees of separation.
Margot Zeller (Nicole Kidman), a savagely bright, razor-tongued short-story writer who creates chaos wherever she goes, sets off on a surprise journey to the wedding of her estranged and free-spirited, unassuming sister Pauline (Jennifer Jason Leigh).
Margot, with her all-too-rapidly maturing son Claude (Zane Pais) in tow, arrives with the gale force of a hurricane. From the minute she meets Pauline's fiancé - the unemployed artist Malcolm (Jack Black) - Margot starts to plant seeds of doubt about the union. As the wedding approaches, one complication crashes into the next: vengeful neighbors, a beloved tree in the backyard and Margot's own marital turmoil.
The two sisters find themselves at the precipice of an unexpected transformation ultimately revealing that even when your family is about to implode... the one thing you can cling to for solace and comfort is your imploding family.
Member Reviews
STRANGE MOVIE - Scotfan05
This is the story of two estranged sisters. Nicole Kidman's character and her son go to visit her sister, Jennifer Jason Leigh , for her wedding. That's the only part of the story I understood. I don't know what was happening with the weird neighbours, or why the family members acted like they did,and I didn't understand the ending.
This was a total waste of my time, another disappointing Nicole Kidman film.Unlikable characters and no real plot - Mawa
I sure hated this movie. Some of the hate I direct toward it may be unwarranted, but it’s just an exhausting film. It meanders – it’s uncertain – it goes nowhere – it’s weak technically – and worst of all, the protagonist is as unlikable as any antagonist could be.
This is where I outline the plot, only I’m not sure Margot at the Wedding had any. Margot, a successful but depressed writer and her 11-year old son come to attend the wedding of her sister to a “crude” intellectual. She doesn’t like him and things unravel quickly – but ultimately, as the credits roll, you wonder what just happened. A lot of the film is given over to the son’s character development, but we really learn very little about him, other than that he’s stressed and repressed by his overbearing mother – and nothing appears to be changing any time soon.
Is it a character study? I suppose so. Margot (Nicole Kidman) is analyzed ad nauseum, but the problem is, she doesn’t seem worth the effort. Her redeeming features are so few and far between in a sea of petty lies and betrayals that it’s hard to disagree with Jack Black’s character when he says he wants to punch her in the face. His character, as well as that of Pauline, the sister, are considerably more sympathetic, but never too much so, almost as though Baumbach wanted us to despise the subjects of his film.
I suppose the performances are all right. Nicole Kidman fails to imbue enough sympathy into her character and Margot comes off as altogether unlikable. Jack Black has an easy role and doesn't really do anything with it. Jennifer Jason Leigh is the standout here, and the only aspect of the film I really liked.
As to the rest, I'd rather forget it.Poison Personified - Stitch
Nicole Kidman is superb in her subtle yet deadly accurate portrayal of a vicious sociopath who wrecks havoc on a fragile family already verging on dysfunctional. To this end, she’s abetted by one of the most insightful screen plays it’s been my (pleasure?) to encounter on the subject. No, this is not a woman who has issues. This is a self-centered selfish guerilla determined that everyone share her misery. Letter perfect performance.
Her relationship with her son is the most difficult and yet the most compelling to observe. As someone who has been exposed to such a parent (thankfully not mine), I can vouch that their interactions are precise, almost painful to watch. Her overt support coupled with delicately planted land mines are symptomatic. The son’s reaction is just as realistic...he is old enough to recognize what she’s doing and yet still vulnerable enough to suffer it out of love.
The plot is deliberately overdone to reinforce the relationship dynamics and the theme. And there is a definite flow to the story toward two potential resolutions. Nothing definitive but hints of hope especially in the case of the son who may grow armor to survive the maternal malice. And the restaurant telephone conversation and occasional dialogue referencing the unseen sister and mother is rich in implication.
In addition to outstanding direction of the situational dynamics, the balance of the cast were well chosen. Jennifer Jason Leigh plays a very difficult, believable and sympathetic foil and Jack Black does ineffectual to perfection. The caricature is appropriate. However the final Oscar must go to Zane Pais who so appealingly displays pain only partially camouflaged.
This is not an easy film to watch and definitely not for someone looking for linear entertainment and a conclusive message. Reserve for an evening when you have the urge for serious fare.
Adult theme inappropriate for children.
Member Reviews
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STRANGE MOVIE - Scotfan05
This is the story of two estranged sisters. Nicole Kidman's character and her son go to visit her sister, Jennifer Jason Leigh , for her wedding. That's the only part of the story I understood. I don't know what was happening with the weird neighbours, or ...Unlikable characters and no real plot - Mawa
I sure hated this movie. Some of the hate I direct toward it may be unwarranted, but it’s just an exhausting film. It meanders – it’s uncertain – it goes nowhere – it’s weak technically – and worst of all, the protagonist is as unlikable as any antagonist ...Poison Personified - Stitch
Nicole Kidman is superb in her subtle yet deadly accurate portrayal of a vicious sociopath who wrecks havoc on a fragile family already verging on dysfunctional. To this end, she’s abetted by one of the most insightful screen plays it’s been my (pleasure?) ...