Ceremony movie review

It's a rarity when a romantic comedy is smart, funny, and human. Ceremony, the feature debut of talented up-and-coming director/writer Max Winkler(son of Henry) is just that. The characters are all flawed, sure, but that's what makes them so brilliant.

On the surface, Ceremony is another romantic comedy, but it's as much a story of friendship as it is of love. Sam Davis(Michael Angarano) is a self-centered, pretentious children's book author who drags his shy, traumatized former best friend Marshall(Reece Thompson) out for a weekend getaway. It's been a year since the two friends have seen each other, and almost a year since Marshall has even been out of his house. Marshall believes that this is going to be a nice, relaxing weekend with his friend, but Sam has ulterior motives. Sam has been having an affair with Zoe(Uma Thurman), a smart, beautiful woman who announces that she is getting married to her longtime fiance, Whit(Lee Pace). What ensues is funny and heartbreaking. In the hands of a less talented cast or a broader script, this movie could have veered into either slapstick chaos or wrenching melodrama, but lucky for the audience, the movie doesn't hit a single false note.

Lee Pace, Reece Thompson, and Jake Johnson(Teddy, Zoe's brother) steal every scene that they are in. Whit, Zoe's fiance, is a character who could've easily turned into a one dimensional buffoon, but Pace's incredible performance and Winkler's deft script, makes him both hilarious and oddly wise. Marshall, is neurotic and scared, but he is also loyal, smart, and probably the sanest of all the characters. Thompson brings a vulnerability to Marshall, and he is the one you end up rooting for. Jake M. Johnson is Teddy, Zoe's screwup, druggie brother. He's hysterical and completely nuts.

I loved that this movie didn't take the easy way out for the ending, and that everyone had to deal with their choices. The characters all had their strengths and their weaknesses. This movie reminded me in some ways of a Wes Anderson film because of its quirkiness. It is one of the best comedies I've seen in a long time. I would recommend this film for everyone who wants a smart romantic comedy. Fans of 500 Days of Summer or Rushmore will especially love this film. Hope you enjoy!