'Your Sister's Sister' is by Lynn Shelton, the writer/director responsible for the edgy 'Humpday', which featured two straight guys pushing the boundaries by contemplating having gay sex. Like 'Humpday', 'Your Sister's Sister', features mostly improvised performances that are often breezy and entertaining.
The film begins with friends gathered together to pay respects to their old friend, Tom, who has recently passed away. We meet Jack (Mark Duplass), Tom's grieving brother, who is comforted by Tom's ex-girlfriend (Emily Blunt). Iris suggests that Jack take time off to get himself together and go up to an island getaway cabin which belongs to her and her half-sister, Hannah (Rosemarie DeWitt).
Jack bikes up to the cabin but is surprised to find Hannah there. Soon we learn that Hannah has just broken up with her Lesbian lover of seven years. After the two get drunk, surprisingly Hannah hops into bed with Jack (we later find out that she's not motivated due to any bisexual proclivities). The sex lasts about 90 seconds, with Jack basically experiencing a premature ejaculation.
The next day Iris shows up and we learn a little bit more about them as they converse during various meals. Hannah, a vegan, gets all worked up when Iris jokes about putting a little butter in her mashed potatoes; and Iris takes umbrage at Hannah's reference to a past incident involving Iris shaving her pubic hair. Despite the witty banter, we find out little about the principals' backgrounds (what does everyone exactly do to support themselves?).
Jack is an even more cryptic character. Is her suffering from Asperger's or is it simply he's become unhinged due to the death of his brother? One thing I had a hard time believing is why Iris falls for the brother of her ex-boyfriend. After all, Jack is hardly a likable character (recall how surly he is at the memorial and how he inappropriately puts his brother down). The fact that he's unemployed and has no direction in life should be a real big red flag for Iris. But she claims she's attracted to his offbeat sense of humor (Jack has a sense of humor? Yeah right!).
Shelton wins points for the big twist in the plot which we don't see coming. SUPER SPOILERS AHEAD. At the same time Hannah reveals to Iris that she had sex with Jack, he discovers that she poked holes in the condom the night before. Hannah was only using Jack to possibly get pregnant.
The end of 'Your Sister's Sister' unfortunately plays it a little too safe. After initially being angry with one another, the sisters let bygones be bygones, and bond once again. Jack, who wants to be alone, ends up camping out in the sticks and then bicycles into town, only to trash the bicycle, after he discovers it's broken. Jack shows up back at the cabin, apologizes to Iris for his indiscretion with Hannah, admits that he's screwed up (especially because he's unemployed and unable to support himself), but is willing to act as a parent to the child, that Hannah may or may not eventually have. All is forgiven and in a flurry of hugs, the triumvirate reassures one another that all will be well from now on. There's also a hint that Jack might get over his reluctance to shack up with Iris for the long run.
'Your Sister's Sister' features witty performances from the three principals. With some deft plotting, Shelton holds our interest almost to the end. Only the sketchy characterizations and a denouement that feels a bit too saccharine, will prevent the discerning critic from doling out a few extra gold stars.
The film begins with friends gathered together to pay respects to their old friend, Tom, who has recently passed away. We meet Jack (Mark Duplass), Tom's grieving brother, who is comforted by Tom's ex-girlfriend (Emily Blunt). Iris suggests that Jack take time off to get himself together and go up to an island getaway cabin which belongs to her and her half-sister, Hannah (Rosemarie DeWitt).
Jack bikes up to the cabin but is surprised to find Hannah there. Soon we learn that Hannah has just broken up with her Lesbian lover of seven years. After the two get drunk, surprisingly Hannah hops into bed with Jack (we later find out that she's not motivated due to any bisexual proclivities). The sex lasts about 90 seconds, with Jack basically experiencing a premature ejaculation.
The next day Iris shows up and we learn a little bit more about them as they converse during various meals. Hannah, a vegan, gets all worked up when Iris jokes about putting a little butter in her mashed potatoes; and Iris takes umbrage at Hannah's reference to a past incident involving Iris shaving her pubic hair. Despite the witty banter, we find out little about the principals' backgrounds (what does everyone exactly do to support themselves?).
Jack is an even more cryptic character. Is her suffering from Asperger's or is it simply he's become unhinged due to the death of his brother? One thing I had a hard time believing is why Iris falls for the brother of her ex-boyfriend. After all, Jack is hardly a likable character (recall how surly he is at the memorial and how he inappropriately puts his brother down). The fact that he's unemployed and has no direction in life should be a real big red flag for Iris. But she claims she's attracted to his offbeat sense of humor (Jack has a sense of humor? Yeah right!).
Shelton wins points for the big twist in the plot which we don't see coming. SUPER SPOILERS AHEAD. At the same time Hannah reveals to Iris that she had sex with Jack, he discovers that she poked holes in the condom the night before. Hannah was only using Jack to possibly get pregnant.
The end of 'Your Sister's Sister' unfortunately plays it a little too safe. After initially being angry with one another, the sisters let bygones be bygones, and bond once again. Jack, who wants to be alone, ends up camping out in the sticks and then bicycles into town, only to trash the bicycle, after he discovers it's broken. Jack shows up back at the cabin, apologizes to Iris for his indiscretion with Hannah, admits that he's screwed up (especially because he's unemployed and unable to support himself), but is willing to act as a parent to the child, that Hannah may or may not eventually have. All is forgiven and in a flurry of hugs, the triumvirate reassures one another that all will be well from now on. There's also a hint that Jack might get over his reluctance to shack up with Iris for the long run.
'Your Sister's Sister' features witty performances from the three principals. With some deft plotting, Shelton holds our interest almost to the end. Only the sketchy characterizations and a denouement that feels a bit too saccharine, will prevent the discerning critic from doling out a few extra gold stars.