I never thought much of Anne Hathaway. Until recently, I'd only seen her in “The Devil Wears Prada,” where she was competent, though clearly outclassed by Meryl Streep - and in “Brokeback Mountain,” where her spoiled sexpot character felt peripheral and flat (not through any fault of her own).

Last week I saw Hathaway's Oscar-nominated performance in “Rachel Getting Married” on Blu-ray. Not only did the “Princess Diaries” star convince me she's one of the best actresses of her generation, but I think I have a new best film of 2008 (if not the best, then handily top five).

I've rarely seen a movie so skillfully weave ugly, mouth-clasping moments with tearfully joyous ones. As Kym, sister to the titled Rachel (Rosemarie DeWitt), Hathaway returns from rehab for years of drug addiction that, we eventually learn, caused the death of her and Rachel's little brother in a car accident. The years of tension and resentment bred by Kym's disease haunt her and Rachel as she prepares to marry Sidney (Tunde Adebimpe).

For every heart-wrenching surfacing of emotional scars, following up is an equally heated moment of love and happiness - mostly arising from Rachel and Sidney's union. Though touching to the audience, these glimpses of the pair's passionate bond only alienate Kym further and spur along her next meltdown.

Director Jonathan Demme chains together this affecting episode in Kym's life in a meandering but meaningful way. “Rachel Getting Married” does away with many narrative conventions in favor of a natural story flow commanded solely by the emotional thrust of the film's events. It's not the easiest movie to stomach, but “Rachel Getting Married” is a mesmerizing avalanche of ire and mirth that insists upon being watched.