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Not being a fan of Anne Hathaway, or to be more precise the films that she stars in, there was a pre-conceived expectation in the back of my mind as to concept of Rachel Getting Married; A cheesy chick-flick with nothing to offer but cheap laughs and a splash of romance which falls rather short of the mark. For anyone that managed to survive Bride Wars, the prospect of seeing Anne Hathaway in another wedding movie is probably at the top of the agenda. However, this movie was anything but a disappointment. Hathaway gives a gritty and emotionally charged performance which fits perfectly into this intense family affair drama.

The first rate cast includes Rosemarie DeWitt as the bride to be Rachel, Bill Irwin as her father and Debra Winger as her mother. Each have their own vital role to play in the movie and perform it to a tee. However, the film really belongs to Hathaway as the incredibly vulnerable and obnoxious Kym who checks out of a rehab facility in order to attend the wedding of her sister. The psychological scars of her life are very much on show and become clearer as the movie goes on and Kym is revealed. Kym is a fair distance from the hard-bitten Texan character that Hathaway plays in Brokeback Mountain.

After witnessing Hathaway in films like The Devil Wears Prada, Princess Diaries and Bride Wars, it is astonishing that she has the scope in her acting skills to play this role so brilliantly. I bears a resemblance to that of Winona Ryder in Girl Interrupted (another surprisingly excellent movie) whereby you can't help but be endeared to the starring character. Even though, in the case of Rachel Getting Married, the viewer knows that Kym is quite clearly a perennial n'er do well, it is impossible not to like her and sympathise with her situation.

The continual defensive wise-cracking of Kym flaunts her insecurities. She reminds other people of their weaknesses as a way of making herself feel better about her own atrocities which we later find included the death of her younger brother whilst she was on drugs. By quipping that her sister Rachel is so thin that she could be Asian, Kym refers back to the brides' past problem with anorexia, reminding her that she can be a mess-up too.

The screenplay by Jenny Lumet is smart and observant, in fact, not far short of brilliant. As a handheld camera journeys through the family home it is easy to pick up on the fears that weigh heavy on everyone. It is quite clear that nobody has forgiven Kym for her misdemeanours

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