Anniversary Party DVD, 2001

To celebrate their sixth anniversary, successful novelist Joe Therrian (Alan Cumming) and his wife, famous Hollywood actress Sally (Jennifer Jason Leigh), invite their friends over for a party. Sally and Joe have only recently reconciled after a separation, and the strain in their relationship reveals itself as the party progresses. An especially difficult topic is Joe's casting of trendy young actress Skye Davidson (Gwyneth Paltrow) in a film based on his latest novel--a role that might have gone to Sally. Also present are the Therrians's neurotic friends: the insecure director Mac (John C. Reilly) and his neurotic wife Clair (Jane Adams), movie star Cal Gold (Kevin Kline) and his wife Sophia (Phoebe Cates)--who has given up her career to support their children, and the next door neighbours, who have their own problems. The result is truly a night to remember.
Jennifer Jason Leigh and Alan Cumming cowrote and codirected THE ANNIVERSARY PARTY, casting their friends in the lead roles, and shooting on digital video to give the film more intimacy and freedom than mainstream Hollywood dramas. Featuring fresh, honest acting from its ensemble and brilliant performances from Leigh and Cumming, THE ANNIVERSARY PARTY is a hilarious look at life and love.