Watch Sister, Sister
- R
- 1987
- 1 hr 31 min
-
5.5 (1,387)
Sister, Sister is a 1987 drama film that showcases the bond between siblings, and the difficulties that can arise when their lives are thrust together after being apart for many years. The movie stars Eric Stoltz, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Judith Ivey, and is directed by Bill Condon. The movie follows the lives of two very different sisters - one an uptight and reserved lawyer named Lea Papin (Ivey) and the other a reckless and unpredictable drug addict named Caroline (Leigh). Lea is happily married and lives in a comfortable suburban home with her husband, while Caroline drifts from one disastrous situation to the next, including a failed marriage, drug addiction, and unemployment.
Caroline appears to be the black sheep of the family, but when she suddenly shows up at Lea's house one day, claiming that she is pregnant and in need of a place to stay, Lea reluctantly takes her in. The two sisters have not seen each other in 15 years, and their lives could not be more different. Despite their differences, however, they quickly rekindle their bond and begin to learn more about each other's lives.
As the movie progresses, the two sisters form a tentative truce and try to reconcile their past differences. Caroline's drug addiction and erratic behavior puts a strain on their relationship, but Lea is determined to help her sister. Meanwhile, Caroline's boyfriend, played by Eric Stoltz, enters the picture and sparks a new love interest for Lea.
Throughout the movie, the focus is on the two sisters and their struggle to reconnect after many years. The performances by Jennifer Jason Leigh and Judith Ivey are outstanding, as they breathe life into their roles with tremendous skill and compassion. The supporting cast of Eric Stoltz and Dennis Lipscomb provide some strong moments as well, but the movie is mostly a showcase for the two women.
The film is well-written and engaging, and avoids most of the cliches that usually plague movies about siblings. Instead, it chooses to focus on the realistic and difficult issues that can arise when estranged siblings are forced to live together. The movie's themes of family, loyalty, and forgiveness are universal and resonate strongly with audiences.
In terms of production values, the movie is fairly simple but effective. The cinematography is understated, and the score by Thomas Newman is suitably emotional without being overbearing. The focus is on the characters and their relationships, and the movie wisely avoids any distracting visual or auditory elements.
Overall, Sister, Sister is a touching and nuanced exploration of the bond between siblings, and the difficulties that can arise when their lives are thrust together. The movie benefits greatly from the strong performances of Jennifer Jason Leigh and Judith Ivey, as well as the well-written script and engaging plot. Despite being over 30 years old, the movie's themes are still relevant today, and it continues to resonate with audiences who appreciate heartfelt dramas about family and redemption.
Sister, Sister is a 1987 romance movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5.