Anniversary Movie Review Starring Diane Lane, Kyle Chandler, Madeline Brewer- In Theaters Now (Lionsgate)

 My brief thoughts on the film after viewing it Tuesday evening:

What the studio is promoting is that this is a thriller; instead, we have an overly political movie in which family members argue over the political side they have chosen.

It's a conversation that has made some family members not talk to each other, and it's going that way with this one, too.

It's not what I expected, and I can't say I am enjoying it either.

I'm just in over an hour, and I will give the cast its due, as everyone is quite good; I'm just not sure what I think of it yet.

After having some time to think about it, one thing is for sure is this is one of the sharpest-looking films I have seen this year. The grouping of shots during a scene, such as the one above, where our lead couple, Ellen and Paul Taylor(Diane Lane and Kyle Chandler), are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary.

Liz (Phoebe Dynevor) with Josh (Dylan O’Brien) have joined the celebration for Josh's parents. Liz is a former student of Ellen's, and they don't have a good past.

When Liz presented her thesis, which was a radical idea to Ellen, she called her out in class and embarrassed Liz in front of her peers.

As the film progresses, Ellen is leery as to why Liz has chosen Josh; she thinks it's a trick, and a heated argument, one of many to be had in the film, takes place. As mentioned at the top of the review, this is about politics, not Democrat/Republican, but a political stance known as The Change, a book that Liz has written and has sold millions of copies and made her & Josh very rich over the years.

Their oldest daughter is a stand-up comedian who has run into some problems with this new, almost cult like following the book has. She has her performances cancelled and is hunted down by some of the people who want to silence her.

The family conversations are pleasant until the conversation is focused on Josh & Liz, animosity is felt throughout the room, and the glances we are shown reek almost hatred for one of their own family.

The youngest family member, Birdy, still lives at home and is very loyal and fond of her parents, and follows her mother's viewpoints closely with admiration. She is challenged later in the film, but no spoilers here.

Each character is very well developed before appearing on the screen, and I give all credit to the writers, Lori Rosene-Gambino & Jan Komasa. Jan Komasa also directed the film.

I would be curious about the title, as the film is only centered on the anniversary at the top of the movie, and is only referred to slightly in parts of the film.

This is a very well-crafted, written, performed & directed film. I think it might spark some conversation after people see the film, which is always good.

I remember Beatriz at Dinner(2017) was also a film that had some unpleasant conversations, but was a solid film due to its cast.