Should you watch this for free? Yes.
Should you watch this at weekday movie ticket prices? If you like Tina Fey or Amy Poehler.
Score: 2.5/5
Secret ending? No, but the credits are fun.
Running time: 118 minutes (~2 hours)
“Sisters” is a comedy about a pair of sisters who return to their hometown when their parents sell their childhood house. Their homecoming triggers a flood of childhood memories, and they hold a party for old times’ sake. It stars Tina Fey (Kate Ellis), Amy Poehler (Maura Ellis), Maya Rudolph (Brinda), Ike Barinholtz (James), Dianne Wiest (Deana Ellis), James Brolin (Bucky Ellis), John Cena (Pazuzu), Madison Davenport (Hayley), and John Leguizamo (Dave). It is rated NC-16.
“Sisters” sees experienced comedians Tina Fey & Amy Poehler making full use of their chemistry and closeness for a film that’s really about their deep friendship. They’re the highlights of the film, but they’re the only highlights of the film, with everything else falling below par. What results is a disappointingly average comedy and a forgettable story.
Highlights
Good chemistry between Tina Fey & Amy Poehler
The pair are truly convincing as sisters, which comes as no surprise given their fast friendship in real-life. Their sisterhood is convincing and touching, and comes with all the pains and joys of real siblings. Their fights are laced with personal insults that can only come from those related by blood to you, yet their bonding comes with a comfortable ease that only results from years of togetherness. They bounce off each other’s comedy with aplomb, and their chemistry is a joy to behold.
Comic performances of the two leads
The two actresses are at their best when delivering their joke-filled monologues, firing off shot after shot of scathing insults. Tina Fey & Amy Poehler pull off huge chunks of dialogue with rhythm and panache while still keeping to their characters in show. The trailers for the film are testament to their solo performances, which are even more elaborate and lengthy in the film.
Letdowns
Contrived setups
The film lacks a compelling inciting incident to start the sequence of events that make up the plot. It’s almost trivial, how the sisters are forced together. Other setups, like the relationships with other characters or the intentions of the protagonists, are done in a blunt and boring fashion, and virtually telegraph future developments by lieu of their circumstances. A little subtlety would have created a more organic story.
Stale plot
The bulk of the film is about a party. If you’re wondering how that’s possible, that’s because it distends the party into a neverending series of visual gags and random obstacles that are laced with several plot elements. It’s an overused plot device that’s recycled into a long scene that overstays its welcome, leaving you with a limp excuse of a story.
Boring supporting characters
The other characters in the film pale in comparison to Kate and Maura, and for good reason — there’s nothing compelling about them! All the character development is spent on Kate and Maura, leaving every other person to be just a single stereotype that defines them. It’s a pain to watch their interactions.
The comedy in “Sisters” comes from only two sources, albeit fantastic ones. It’s an average film with two amazing protagonists.
“Sisters” opens in cinemas 17 March, 2016 (Thursday).
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