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Jinx Sister

Jinx Sister

2008
Estranged adult sisters peel back the family secrets and lies in Athina Tsoulis' domestic drama. Sara Wiseman is Laura, who arrives in New Zealand after ten years in LA. Sporting an American accent and dressed for Rodeo Drive, she cuts an incongruous figure in laid-back South Auckland. She warily approaches the house of her sister Maree (Rachel Nash), happily married, heavily pregnant mother of two. Laura's hostility and thinly concealed self-loathing are too much even for this most grounded of earth mothers. While the two spar and reopen old wounds, new events force them into recognising the deceptive nature of the family myths that have shaped their enmity. [source: NZFF 08]

Starring Sara Wiseman, Rachel Nash, Jarod Rawiri, William Wallace, Jenni Heka, Rawiri Paratene

Directed by Athina Tsoulis ('I'll Make You Happy')

Written by Athina Tsoulis

Drama | 1hr 40mins | Rated (R13) | sex scenes, offensive language | Origin: New Zealand | Official Site »

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The people's reviews

20 reviews

  • I would like a copy of this film as promise by director/writer

    Taumeasina

    Nobody (?)

    My food take-away shop which the sisters meet to talk was use in this film and in return promise to recieve a copy of the dvd, hope you are reading this and can you forward a copy to my email va.f@clear.net.nz

    Agree? Disagree?...

  • Nice!..

     4

    Carol

    Nobody (?)

    Agree? Disagree?...

  • Gripping acting performances

     4

    Michael

    Nobody (?)

    There are some solid performances from the actors in Jinx Sister. There is very real tension and drama, especially in the scenes involving the two sisters. The production values exceed the budget and it doesn't suffer from trying to be too 'kiwi' like many NZ films have in the past. Because it's an emotional drama it will resonate in other countries and languages, having said that there are extra layers that New Zealanders will connect with in the film's South Auckland setting.
    At times the pacing slows to a crawl, and overall it could be shorter. There are also ocassions where the soundtrack dominates - although this could be down to the cinema showing the film. In terms of the accent thing, the attempt is ok, but it is a very big challenge to portray a hybrid accent, especially California/Kiwi. It was a bit confusing that Sarah had picked up American terms (e.g. Mom) people tend to use the words they know, even if there voices change (friends in London sound slightly English to me - they don't say 'chups' anymore they say 'chips' but not 'crisps' as the English do) My companion in the cinema also questioned why the LA establishing scene was needed.

    Agree? Disagree?...

  • got it right actually

     4

    Lisa Morrison

    Nobody (?)

    Saw this film last night, and just read Parker's comment below. Obviously they got it a bit confused about her accent. She wasn't trying to be American, like the story clearly explains - she is a Kiwi that had lived away for a long time. I heard Sara Wiseman, who plays the lead being interviewed and she said she wasn't trying to be American, only her accent had changed and was a mix of both now. The pace is slow but only in comparison to blockbusters. I have seen slower in other art films. It's a strong story and wonderful acting all round, especially the two sisters.

    Agree? Disagree?...

  • one for the girls

    Rachel J

    Nobody (?)

    I can't get this film out of my mind. It is staying with me. It does have flaws but the overall effect has been very moving to me. Reading comments below, I find it hilarious someone thought she was meant to be American accent wise, what film were they watching?? Everyone entitled to their opinion though. Sara Wiseman shined. incredible presence. Another highlight was the scene between the two men when Phil, the father broke down. beautiful performance. Good on this tiny budget film!

    Agree? Disagree?...

  • DIdn't expect to, but was captivated by it.

     4

    Next Wednesday

    Nobody (?)

    A real girl film, as in by the ladies for the ladies, but unusually the males come off really well (not being blamed for everything!). The pacing is slow, but I thought that helped with the tension and really placed you with the cast, getting to know them rather than being subjected to flashcard characters.

    Agree? Disagree?...

  • Jinx Sister Rocks NZ Movie Scene

     4

    Marie McKenna

    Nobody (?)

    I recently saw Jinx Sister and because I knew it was a movie made on a shoestring I did not have high expectations however, it is a movie with a quiet confidence that draws you in and captures you. The storyline kept you wanting to know what was going to happen next. Overall the movie is edgy and heartwarming all at the same time.

    Agree? Disagree?...

  • One for women

    Marian Evans

    Nobody (?)

    There is so much to celebrate about this film, including the diverse audience in our theatre. I'm still thinking abt it all, but off the top of my head, it was especially nice to have a memorable sex scene in an NZ film and the birth scene was the best I've ever seen, I actually believed it was happening, remembered my own children being born, something to do with that last push; & I loved the Polynesian women, the neighbour and the one with the child, who added just the right kind of spikiness for me. Many congratulations. We need lots more films about the subtleties of women's lives.

    Agree? Disagree?...

  • Too slow...

     2

    JP Parker

    Nobody (?)

    Why is this movie so slow? Far too long... interesting aspects harmed by a terrible US accent, meandering pace and some OTT drama.

    Agree? Disagree?...

  • Highly Recommended

     5

    JA Smith

    Nobody (?)

    A subtle and intelligent film about returning to New Zealand and facing one's demons. Sara Wiseman's portrayal of Laura is fantastic, as is Rachel Nash in the supporting role as her older sister Mairie. Jinz Sister finds a rare balance of being delicate and strong at the same time. It is highly recommended.

    Agree? Disagree?...

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Press Reviews

  • Dominion Post [Graeme Tuckett]

     2

    1/2 Too many false notes, outrageously contrived plot points, and some woefully over-explicatory dialogue pretty much kill the film stone dead before it's far out of the starting blocks... But there is still some good stuff to Jinx Sister. The leads – especially Wiseman – are uniformly strong and committed , all of them managing to find some unlikely moments of truth in the white spaces on the page between Tsoulis's dialogue.
    Read full review

  • NZ Herald [Peter Calder]

     3

    Some may find the premise too slight to sustain a feature - the film is at least 10 minutes too long and many scenes have characters staring out the window long after the shot has served its dramatic function. But it's a creditable local effort.
    Read full review

  • NZ Listener [Halene Wong]

    Sibling dynamics can be fraught territory, and a challenge to any film-maker looking to expose and express the sources of friction. How to refresh or avoid clichés (“You were always Dad’s favourite”/“She stole my boyfriend”); how to reveal the past – flashback or exposition; and how to direct performances that are as much internal as external. With Jinx Sister, Athina Tsoulis can be proud of the way she’s risen to that challenge.
    Read full review

  • Sunday Star-Times [Mark Broatch]

     4

    A rewarding film.
    Read full review

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