Sisters-2015
Director Jason Moore
Starring Tina Fey, Amy Poehler
Scott’s Review #458
Reviewed July 31, 2016
Grade: B-
Slapstick comedy isn’t my genre of choice, though I will watch some for light entertainment or to see just how bad (or good) current offerings are.
Nonetheless, I have tried to keep a expectations low for these films, which are usually fluff and plot-driven.
In Sisters (2015), the film is pretty much what you would expect: vulgar, crass, and raunchy.
Yet, due to the chemistry between the leads (Amy Poehler and Tina Fey) and a few heartfelt romantic moments, something does work. It is not as mean as one might think.
This is not to say that Sisters is a great film. Hardly. But not as bad as I feared.
Poehler and Fey play Maura and Kate Ellis, two late-thirties sisters living in other parts of the country, who return home to Orlando, Florida, when their parents (James Brolin and Dianne Wiest) sell their childhood home.
Maura and Kate must clean their bedrooms in time for the sale.
The sisters decide to throw one final bash and invite their high school classmates, who conveniently still live in the same town. Events go awry, and the party gets way out of hand.
Mixed in with the main plot are subplots: a romantic interest for Maura and a rival for Kate, played by Maya Rudolph.
The best part is the chemistry between Poehler and Fey. They “have it” whether it is a Saturday Night Live sketch, hosting the Golden Globe Awards, or starring in Sisters.
The banter and jokes work because the two comics play off each other, and it shows on screen.
They are believable as sisters despite looking nothing alike.
Otherwise, Sisters is a traditional vulgar comedy. One irksome recent trend (now more female-driven than in years past) is the leading ladies being classless.
This must be an attempt at female empowerment or the assumption that since adult comedies were once a man’s world, female characters should be written like men.
Do we need Kate and Maura swearing like sailors, making poop jokes, and being so raunchy? Behaving like ladies would now be the exception, not the norm (Bridesmaids, 2011, set this precedent).
Not surprisingly, the supporting characters are all caricatures, as is typical in films of this genre. The parents are a bit clueless and have kinky sex much to the girl’s chagrin.
Brinda, bitchy, judgmental, yet insecure, the Korean (big stereotype) nail technician who cannot properly pronounce English words; the new owners of the house are snobbish, uptight, and clueless; and finally, James, the guy next door, who is Mr. Fix-it and the straight man in the high jinks.
He is sugar-sweet and the male hero.
The romantic scenes between Maura and James are sweet and sentimental, nicely balancing the vulgarity and raunchiness that the rest of the film encompasses. They are a nice couple and have a rich rooting value.
Most of the action takes place at Kate and Maura’s childhood home, where posters of 1980s films like E.T. and Out of Africa, and a poster of heartthrob Tom Cruise, hang on the walls.
This, along with many other references Generation X will delight in, is pointed out, which is a treat and a positive of the film.
As the party gets off to a slow start, the thirty- and forty-somethings appear dull and either talk about their kids or their various maladies and suddenly, after being fed drugs, are back to their college party days; they are both dumb and cute at the same time.
Sisters (2015) (hopefully) knows what it is. It is a late-Saturday-night, raunchy comedy affair, meant as fluff and escapist fun. It is not a masterpiece, nor does it intend to be one.
Rather, a full-length SNL sketch including many alums.
It is harmless fun.
