Margot At the Wedding

Noah Baumbach's The Squid and the Whale was my favorite film of 2005. With his latest work, Margot At the Wedding, he returns to form; that form being severe family dysfunction. I really do think that Baumbach is an amazing auteur, his shooting style is heavily influenced by the French masters (Godard, Truffaut, Rohmer) but his writing is distinct...sharp and observant with moments that somehow combine tenderness and cruelty simultaneously. He has inspired three exquisite performances from Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Jason Leigh (Baumbach's real life wife) and Zane Pais, who plays Margot's son in one of the best tragic roles of the year. The toxic Margot character is perhaps Nicole Kidman's most complex role to date, and she brings so much to this film, although she is perfectly balanced by Jennifer Jason Leigh, who is also pitch perfect here. Those who disliked The Squid and the Whale are probably going to feel the same way about Margot at the Wedding. The characters are not likable, resolution is never really made, and there's plenty of awkward realism presented which could make some viewers uncomfortable. I absolutely loved this film, watch for it to top my list this year.