REVIEW: 'Your Sister's Sister'

Comedy-drama examining the criss-crossing relationships between a man (grieving over the loss of his brother), his best friend and best friend's sister. Stars Emily Blunt, Mark Duplass and Rosemarie DeWitt. Now playing nationwide.

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As strong an argument as one could imagine for the "mumblecore" film movement spearheaded by this film's director (Lynn Shelton) and star/producer (Mark Duplass), Your Sister's Sister is one of the most purely pleasurable "grown-up" films I've seen this year.

Working off a structured outline with no dialogue, the three lead actors here create an incredibly vivid dynamic filled with the unmistakable rhythms of real life. But the film is so consistently funny and affecting, you'd never guess the dialogue was entirely improvised.

With this and the upcoming Safety Not Guaranteed, Duplass is having something of a moment, and he's fantastic here. He starts the film as a bit of a sad sack, but as his character is drawn out by his pulchritudinous co-stars, he invites ample amounts of empathy.

Emily Blunt seems like she's in every second movie these days, but none have exploited her earthy charms better than this film. And I can say without hesitation that I fell deeply and genuinely in love with Rosemarie DeWitt while watching Your Sister's Sister. The actress (who took over from Rachel Weisz at the last minute) projects unmitigated star quality here, and deserves A-list status based on this performance alone.

Most films strive for authenticity, but this film is simply dripping with it. I can't remember the last time fictional characters seemed so real to me.

All this plus the most awesomely awkward sex scene ever committed to film makes Your Sister's Sister an absolute must-see. Do yourself a favour and check it out.

 

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