Review of The Skeleton Twins (2014) by Mason B — 05 Oct 2014

The Skeleton Twins.

The word "Dramedy" has become an irritating word to me recently. So many films describe themselves as Dramedies and in their attempt to be both comedic and dramatic they end up being neither, or at least one and not the other. The really terrific thing about The Skeleton Twins is not only that it's really funny, but also very poignant and moving at the same time. This is all led by two outstanding performances from Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader, two Saturday Night Live veterans both proving their acting talents, as the titular twins. They are teamed with a great script and sympathetic direction and together they create a wonderful film. The Skeleton Twins, though not perfect, is funny, moving, charming, and very humanist.

The Skeleton Twins are two twins Maggie and Milo, played by Wiig and Hader respectively, who haven't spoken to each other in ten years. Maggie is a dentist who is unhappy in her marriage with her husband Lance, played by Luke Wilson. Her brother Milo is a gay failed-writer living in Los Angeles. The film opens with Maggie, about to attempt suicide, getting a call from a hospital that her brother has already attempted suicide. Maggie brings Milo to stay with her at her home in New York, and from their they examine the relationship with each other and both of them examine the lives they have made for themselves and how they got to that point.

One of the best things about The Skeleton Twins is how good Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader are in their roles. Both of them play very damaged human beings coming together in their pain to rediscover each other and re-examine their lives and relationships. The two of them have brilliant chemistry, the result of them having worked together for years. Kristen Wiig gives her best performance ever as the unhappy Maggie, conveying every bit of pain and trauma her character is going through. Bill Hader, playing Milo, is not quite as good, I think. There were times I felt like he was playing a gay stereotype, but he's still able to find the real person behind the stereotype numerous times (He certainly never went anywhere near the level of Steffon, his famous SNL character). The Skeleton Twins is a film that is not afraid of it's character's numerous flaws and defects. Even as both of them hurt many of the people close to them, the audience never lose sympathy for them lose sight of their humanity. It is a film that loves its characters, and this translates to the audience.

The Skeleton Twins miraculously manages not only to be funny but moving as well. It goes into very dark territory, and some of the films strongest moments are when it shows moments of real truth between characters. That doesn't mean that the comedy isn't extremely strong as well; more than once it managed to get me to laugh out loud my seat. It is actually, dare I say, too funny in parts. What I mean is that there are the briefest moments where is seems like Wiig and Hader are performing on Saturday Night Live again, and film occasionally obliges them. These farcical moments clash slightly with the heavier drama in the film. The film is actually at its funniest when it's using pitch black humor. Still, this is a minor quibble; The Skeleton Twins remains a very satisfying experience.

I hope the Skeleton Twins predicts bright futures for everyone involved. Nothing would make me happier than for Wiig to receive more material like this. It is a profound, funny, and moving film about family and life, past and future. It is also.

Exceptionally well-acted by the entire cast. I highly recommend to those wanting to see something that actually works as a "Dramedy.".