Review of The Sisters Brothers (2018) by Glenn G — 15 Jan 2019

THE SISTERS BROTHERS (4 Stars).

An extremely engaging anti-Western featuring fantastic performances from John C. Reilly, Joaquin Phoenix, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Riz Ahmed is slightly marred by an anti-climactic yet still unexpected ending. Up until then, I loved its subversiveness, the beautiful cinematography and score, and the bursts of tragedy erupting from its often comical tone. A simple tale of two hitmen charged with killing a gentle chemist who has invented a new way to pan for gold, the film finds its beauty in little details such as when Reilly uses a toothbrush or flushes a toilet for the first time. Bonus points for casting the great Alison Tolman, a vividly hardened Carol Kane, and especially trans actor Rebecca Root as a nefarious town owner. I'm especially proud that Root plays a cis female. More talented trans actors like her should get cast in roles which have nothing to do with gender identity. That it happens in the most patriarchal of genres, the western, speaks volumes about this film. There's also an unexplored hint of a gay relationship, which gives the movie a sense of unfulfilled longing. Each character seems to want something they can never have. It's a subtle but lovely undertone which gives this often goofy film a little depth. Jacques Audiard (A PROPHET, RUST AND BONE) makes his English language debut here and has a great feel for quirky interactions and the loopy storytelling at play. It's the BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID of its time...but instead of going out with a bang, it does so with a beautiful whimper. Flaws and all, it's one of the best films of the year.