Anniversary

Baron Nathan Rothschild has been quoted as saying "When there's blood in the streets, buy real estate." This sentiment, beyond the obvious reference to financial opportunities, also expresses the idea that division and chaos create opportunities for political revision. And as history has so often demonstrated that revision can manifest in negative ways.

A single, close-knit family celebrates an anniversary, every toast invokes love, but over the course of five years the story moves inextricably toward the antithesis. The close-knit weave is unravelled. A political evolution is occurring, sparked by a book written by the girlfriend of the young son in the family. The result is a family divided and increasing at odds and edgy.

Diane Lane, Kyle Chandler, Zoey Deutch and the rest of the cast excel. The screenplay itself attempts to be a cautionary tale, a psychological thriller, and a study in the corrupting nature of power. It only partially succeeds, because it touches too lightly on the subject matter--we never learn anything about political movement itself, the ideology behind it. The story should have been told through a limited series of three episodes.

It does however remind us quite clearly how what often appears as a simple grassroots movement, and appeals to the masses, can be saturated with malfeasance. We need to be cautious, and history should be studied. Prevent those who want to control it.

It's both amusing and unsettling to watch this family unravel year by year. The film is surprisingly deep and sharply ironic.

The opening immediately reminded me of The Handmaid's Tale (there are even two cast members from the series in this movie). A once-happy family is thrown into chaos as political tensions rise, triggered by their son's girlfriend entering their lives right as the political movement intensifies.

The message is clear: when people become extreme in any belief, anything can happen, literally. As the old social order collapses alongside its devoted followers, the new "change" leaves no room for dissent. Even the ones who ignite the movement can't control it once everything spirals out of hand.

Diane Lane's performance is top-notch, as always. The rest of the cast is equally brilliant and convincing.

Dylan O'Brien's character made me genuinely hate him, in a good way. He was once a "loser" in the old world, but he thrives under the new dictatorship, where he finally holds power.

This film reflects our society in a chilling way. It feels real, something that could happen in the future, and something that has already happened in the past. No doubt about it.

Polish director Jan Komasa presents an intriguing political thriller with touches of science fiction that immerses us in a mind game and the disintegration of an apparently perfect family.

With a star-studded cast including Diane Lane, Kyle Chandler, Madeline Brewer, Zoey Deutch, Dylan O'Brien, Phoebe Dynevor and McKenna Grace, the story follows a close-knit family that is torn apart when a new movement, "The Change," takes over the country.

Anniversary may seem like a political pamphlet at first glance, but delving into the film's psychology reveals a layered thriller that captivates the viewer. It's a work with a moral and political undercurrent that explores the extreme thoughts plaguing the characters' minds. The director's impeccable handling captivates with a simple interplay of glances and unease, creating a film that becomes an addiction as intense as it is cruel.

The film's stellar cast is its greatest asset in keeping us captivated by everything that unfolds on screen. Diane Lane returns with one of her finest performances as a determined and politically engaged mother, perfectly counterbalanced by Phoebe Dynevor, who provides the ideal antithesis to what we might expect. The rest of the cast is equally superb.

It's a clever film that manages to win you over, but it's not a film that will appeal to everyone. While it has its political undertones, it also explores social culture in times of questioning freedom. It's a daring film that, in Lori Rosene-Gambino's screenplay, finds its main strength in suspense and tension, making you feel uncomfortable as part of this family that unravels over the course of five years.

A pleasant surprise, especially for those who enjoy intense thrillers like this one. It has its flaws, of course; it's not a perfect film, particularly when it tries to string together transitions that aim to present a layer of reflective morality. The film works much better when it lets go and doesn't try to be a politically correct piece meant to please. The discomfort and tension it generates within a house prove to be the ideal effect for enjoying a story with a couple of very satisfying twists.

"Anniversary" quietly shows up on new release rentals barely a month after it played in theaters, and that already tells you something about it. The synopsis sounded provocative, which is exactly what pulls me in when I am picking something to watch, and the moment I hit play it felt like the movie's ideas were already playing out in real time, not just on screen but in the way the movie itself had been handled. Right from the start it is walking a tightrope, trying to say something meaningful while also being affected by the very thing it is commenting on, especially with the studio barely promoting it at all, which weirdly only makes it more interesting. That quiet rollout becomes part of the experience whether it meant to or not. The dialogue feels natural and sharp, delivered by a group of very strong actors led by Diane Lane, and honestly the casting does a lot of the heavy lifting. Just the choice of actresses for the three sisters is enough to make you want to stick around and see where it all goes.

Sometimes a movie sneaks up on you. You go in, the movie begins, and you think it is going to be a normal drama about a family. But as the movie goes on you find out that something is brewing that may soon boil over into a whole other thing. That is my experience seeing Anniversary.

Ellen Taylor (Diane Lane) is a university professor who leans to the left. Her husband Paul (Kyle Chandler) runs a restaurant. After introducing these two central characters, we slowly meet their kids as they arrive to celebrate Ellen and Paul's 25th wedding anniversary. Their youngest daughter Birdie (McKenna Grace) rolls into the yard on skates and heads to her bedroom which looks like a lab. Their daughter Anna (Madeline Brewer) comes looking for Birdie. They walk out into the living room, noticing their brother Josh (Dylan O'Brien) and his new girlfriend Elizabeth Nettles (Phoebe Dynevor). Ellen is skeptical of Liz but remains civil.

Last to arrive is their daughter Cynthia (Zoey Deutch) with her boyfriend Rob Thompson (Daryl McCormack). Surrounded by other friends and family the party begins in the backyard. Happy 25th, Ellen and Paul. Ellen has dreams for Josh, hopes that he will one day publish his sci-fi novel. When she finds out that Liz is also an author, she begins to wonder whether Josh is being used by her. The plot thickens when Liz publishes a book that becomes a best-seller.

The movie features the Taylor family as a microcosm of society. Things change in the country and subsequently alter the dynamics of the family. As that political and cultural shift becomes more pronounced, so does the tension among the Taylors. You know those tense family gatherings some of us might be anticipating for the upcoming holidays? Well, this is what happens with the Taylor clan.

How much you like this film will likely depend upon how you perceive our current cultural milieu in America. If you look around or watch the news and think everything is hunky dory, you will see this film differently than if you live under a cloud of concern regarding the direction the country is headed. The movie builds to a climax with plenty of shock, making this film leap from family drama to thriller. Full disclosure, I am living in that cloud of concern, but I will restrain myself and give this one 3.5 stars.