Helena from the Wedding

This could have gained at least 6 stars in my rating had the editor left more of the movie on the cutting room floor. There are many scenes that should have been deleted to make this movie move more cleanly. The lighting, or rather the lack of, in the first half of the movie nearly had me checking my television. There are too many scenes where there is a bright light in the background and the subjects are dimly lit. That's fine for Law & Order, they know how to do it, but if there was a reason to have such unbalanced lighting, it didn't come across.

No problems with the acting but the DP shot some scenes in a manner that didn't seem to fit, such as the scene were one of the women was cutting bread. It was discordant.

More lighting, more film on the floor, and some improvement in camera work and this movie might have garnered a star or two more in my book.

Helena from the Wedding is a classic example of a film written with a single idea in mind, then stretched out to fill a 90-minute run time. In this film, eight seemingly happy friends spend New Year's together in a cabin in the woods, though over the course of the story, we find out that the characters are each struggling with different levels of unhappiness. In this type of story, typically the characters go on a journey of self-discovery that leads to personal growth by the end of the film. In Helena, however, nothing ever really happens. The writer does a good job of fleshing out the different character's mental anguish, but then fails to deliver on the follow through on their collective stories. As soon as the credits started rolling, I scratched my head and asked: "Soooo... what happens now?" That's not really a desirable place to leave a viewer at the end of a film. Especially one that wasn't intended to leave an opening for a sequel. It was a valiant effort, but I think the writer/director can do better.

Visually pleasing for sure. I can see how it may be boring. It's more aesthetic than stimulating. The story isnt much to discuss, but the camera work and editing is not at all awful. The main characters are captured beautifully.

... you can skip through the entire length of this film... & not find one worthwhile memorable scene.

Approaching his "mid-life crisis" early, 39-year-old writer Lee Tergesen (as Alex) arranges a New Year's Eve party at his parents' seemingly secluded cabin. Younger by a few years, new wife Melanie Lynskey (as Alice) wonders if she's still attractive. They play host and hostess for two couples and two stragglers. The party of eight has varying degrees of closeness, with the main commonality being the men are old school chums. The protagonist is Mr. Tergesen. Important to Tergesen are the two "single" guests - uncommitted Paul Fitzgerald (as Nick) and blond model Gillian Jacobs (as Helena). The titular Ms. Jacobs was a bridesmaid at Ms. Dominczyk's wedding and Tergesen finds her very attractive...

The first guest "couple" is muscular Dominic Fumusa (as Don) and perpetually tipsy Jessica Hecht (as Lynn); they have a troubled marriage, with sex. The second guest "couple" is head-shaved Corey Stoll (as Steven) and pregnant Dagmara Dominczyk (as Eve); they have a troubled marriage, without sex. Yes, she is carrying his child, but it is from a rare encounter (note the mystery of condoms in his briefcase is revealed in a later scene). We follow the various groupings as they drink, smoke and snort coke. A big crisis occurs when the backgammon board is knocked over...

A piece is missing!

***** Helena from the Wedding (3/14/10) Joseph Infantolino ~ Lee Tergesen, Melanie Lynskey, Paul Fitzgerald, Gillian Jacobs