Iris invites her friend Jack to stay at her family's island getaway after the death of his brother. At their remote cabin, Jack's drunken encounter with Hannah, Iris' sister, kicks off a revealing stretch of days.
Shelton is a wonder with actors and she mines some gold from this sitcom setup – DeWitt, in particular, showcases a spiky comic deftness. Shame about a soapy third act of melancholy set to acoustic guitar that’s as bland and shapeless as the vegan pancakes Hannah whips up for the trio.
A very genuine film packed with smart observations about modern relationships.
It’s probably the best three-star movie this month. An effortless, emotional, funny little indie that few people will see. Be one of them.
Even at 90 minutes this saggy story feels talky, over–stretched and aimless.
This may be slight and familiar, but it also delivers a sweet-natured, poignant look at the differences between the sexes.
our Sister’s Sister is an American indie comedy that actually does offer some astute observations on the way sex can impact in confusing ways on a good friendship.
Everything wraps up all too conveniently as if the filmmakers and cast (who improvised heavily) simply ran out of puff.
Shelton makes this slacker style of film-making seem easy (see it done badly, as in the many irritating imitations at this year's Edinburgh International Film Festival, and you realise how good she is), and she pulls this tale of modern manners off in style. Emily Blunt is superb.
The three leads gel intelligently in a scenario that might have been better suited to the stage.
There is some great work by the performers, their characters often seem painfully real, although nearly every bit of subtlety is countered by a plot contrivance or scene that's too on the nose.
The film retreats from its initial edginess into something comfortable and slightly glib, a study in self-absorption that lets off its characters too easily.
Despite the majestic archipelago setting, not mumblecore’s most adventurous moment.
What follows is an insightful, humane study of relationships between siblings and between men and women, with improvised dialogue that sounds like real speech, only funnier.
Although she would probably have liked a little more plot and polish, Nora Ephron would, I think, have approved.
Director Lynn Shelton on Your Sister's Sister
Sisters get the Shelton treatment
General release. Check local listings for show times.
Cameo, Edinburgh from Thursday July 12, 2012, until Thursday July 19, 2012. More info: http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/
RSS feed of Cinema reviews