The quirky comedy Ceremony features a great cast under the direction of first timer Max Winkler. It’s Max’s entry into the world of controlling a set, actors and final production of a film. Having written the script for Ceremony helps him pull off a nice little comedy that entertains.
The story finds Sam (Michael Angarano) connecting with his old friend Marshall (Reece Thompson) that he estranged some years earlier. Although leery of their meeting, Marshall agrees to go with him to spend some time at the beach on Long Island. When they get there strange things start happening, including crashing a pre-wedding party. When Marshall realizes that Sam’s there to try to steal the bride (Uma Thurman) away from her intended (Lee Pace) things start getting out of hand.
The fun in this movie comes with the interaction of the many personalities and although the old saying opposites attract, this meeting turns into a hilarious mess. Angarano as Sam opposite Thurman as the bride to be Zoe makes a perfect fun picture as their height and age difference makes their interaction even more comedic. The cast is perfect and Thompson as the confused friend complicates the plot even more. When Whit (Lee Pace) Zoe’s puzzled intended gets into the mix things really get crazy.
Direction by Max Winkler, although a little unexceptional as a newcomer, still makes his story work. His cool hand at giving his actors a lot of rope to develop their kooky characters is a smart move that insures a strong endearing finish.
Cinematography by William Rexer (Prime) helps the film showing the northern Long Island off-season drab in the beach scenes and good close-ups of the action between Angarano and Thruman.
Ceremony is rated R for some language, sexual references and drug use.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A strong start for a young director. (B)
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
