Review of Sister My Sister (1994) by Brendan C — 03 Dec 2011

--Spoilers-- (does it count for an historical stories' dramatization?)) Overall I found this to be a suffocating film. Indeed, this is clearly the intent of the filmmakers..As the working/living conditions/class expectations for these sisters, no doubt, were horribly stifling.

So the viewer is exactingly transported into the climate of the time and household of the monstrous methodical mistress. But oddly, the relationship between the sisters seems oddly deprived of air as well.

Furthermore, Reference is made to Lea's dreamy sensibilities, and Christine's hopes for an unbound future. However there is sparse exploration of the interior realms of the both of them, despite the strong efforts of the actresses.

The tonality of the film is consistently stark, with only momentary flourishes of humor and color. Furthermore, though the Mistress and her daughter were clearly nasty and cruel, there seemed to be little explanation for the absolute brutality of their murders.

Until the final scene, when their absolute viciousness is wrought upon the sisters. Ultimately it's a lack of multi-dimensional writing and pathos, in my mind, that detracts from any aim the film has of doing justice to the historical persons, and makes murky their story.