Plot: What’s it about?
Charlotte (Judith Ivey) and Lucy Bonnard (Jennifer Jason Leigh) are very close sisters, who happen to live within a drab, but adequate mansion. As if the mansion’s natural spookiness wasn’t enough to scare folks, how about the eerie bayou that surrounds it or the somewhat unusual sisters themselves? The sisters are very, very close and when it comes to protecting each other, they make sure to watch the other, no matter what happens. Now this mansion is their home first and foremost, but in addition to themselves, others pass through the mansion’s rooms, since the sisters have been using it as a guest house as well. So the sisters have their fun and watch over each other, but when a young man enters the mansion, it turns their unstable world upside down. As dark secrets, hidden desires, and unrevealed pasts begin to come into the open, what will become of the sisters and their new guest?
I used to watch pieces of this film on television a while ago, just to see certain sequences over and again. Now Sister, Sister is not the bottom of the supernatural thriller ladder by any means, but it is closer to that bottom rung than the top one, if that tells you much. I found the premise to be a good one, but as the story unfolds, it falls apart and never really amounts to much in the end. The acting seems less than average most of the time, which is a small surprise with Jennifer Jason Leigh and Eric Stoltz on the list of performers. But whether the flawed work is due to the actors or the material, I cannot decide and in the end, I choose to blame both sides. If the material had been a little better or the workers had elevated themselves, this might have been a decent enough flick. When the movie focuses on the sisters and their relationship, it picks up and is good, but as soon as the story figures in, it goes right down the tubes. A couple drops of sex and violence also show up, but in this case, not enough to mesh with the brutal premise. If you’re interested in this film, then by all means, a rental is more than worthwhile, just don’t expect a masterpiece.
I know Jennifer Jason Leigh isn’t the best performer in the business, but I think she falls short of even her own limits. Leigh just seems bored most of the time here and perhaps that is due to the material, which doesn’t offer much substance to work with. Instead of the material allowing Leigh to explore her character and the relationship of the sisters, it seems to be there for just the basic needs, which just isn’t enough in this case. Leigh can turn in excellent work when the material is there, but here it seems her talents are put to a total waste. Other films with Jennifer Jason Leigh include Fast Times At Ridgemont High, Single White Female, eXistenZ, Short Cuts, Easy Money, The Hudsucker Proxy, and Mrs. Parker And The Vicious Circle. The cast here also includes Dennis Lipscomb (Under Siege, War Games), Eric Stoltz (Pulp Fiction, Anaconda), Anne Pitoniak (Bed of Roses, Where The Money Is), and Judith Ivey (Mystery Alaska, The Devil’s Advocate). This film was written and directed by Bill Condon, who also served as director for Gods & Monsters and Candyman 2: Farewell To The Flesh.
Video: How does it look?
Sister, Sister is presented in a 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer. I am impressed with this transfer, but it still shows some problem signs, which lower the score somewhat. The image looks on the dated side and also has a lot of grain present, but I think a low budget film from 1987 is allowed some leeway in those respects. The colors look good, very soft when needed to be, as well as more natural when that is called for, a very well balanced scope. The contrast is sharp too, with a few scenes that seem overly light, but no real issues in the end. I suppose this could look better, but this is still a solid visual presentation.
Audio: How does it sound?
This disc uses a newly minted Dolby Digital 5.1 track, which uses the surrounds to add a lot to the film’s atmosphere. The musical score comes to life in this mix, using the surrounds well and immersing the viewer, which is good news. I heard some good subtle use with the sound effects, but this film doesn’t need much surround support aside from that. So, the surrounds are used to good ends, but never pushed too much or simply for the sake of more activity. The dialogue is smooth as can be here also, no problems with volume or clarity in the least. This disc also houses a 2.0 surround track, if that better suits your home theater needs.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This disc has a very nice selection of bonus features, such as audio commentary track with writer/director Bill Condon. While Condon is not the most exciting or talkative person you’ll hear on one of these tracks, he does share a lot of information and in the end, provides a worthwhile commentary session. Condon also offers optional commentary on three deleted scenes, which were also worth a look. The disc also houses the film’s theatrical trailer and a talent file on Condon, not too bad a selection at all.
