Sister My Sister

Rating:
Summary: Intriguing British lesbian incest melodrama
Review: Sister My Sister is like "Heavenly Creatures" with more sex and less madness. It simply lacks the nuanced believability of "Creatures'" Paulie and Juliet's descent into madness as well as "Creatures'" top-notch production values. That said, any movie that even deems comparison with the now-classic Heavenly Creatures is clearly good and worth-seeing in some respects. And indeed, Sister My Sister creates a claustrophobic, quietly sickening atmosphere which left an intriguing grab on my emotions.

Jodhi May and Joely Richardson star as unnaturally close sisters, Leah and Christine. The two work as maids for a sadistic gentlewoman (Julie Davies, Mrs. Weasely in Harry Potter) and her adult daughter that she endlessly oppresses. Through various sisterly activities and excellent acting by both May and Richardson, they are completely believable as sisters. Thus their eventual sexual relationship not only intellectually but emotionally feels incestual, a nuanced feat that the filmmakers effectively pulled off.

But what drives Leah and Christine to become lovers and later criminals? Their despotic employer? Too close of quarters? Pre-existing emotional instability? I believe the answer is all three, and speculation seems warranted since this movie is in fact based on a true story, the sensationalistic crime that shocked (and also entertained) 1930's France... the OJ Simpson case of the time...

The primary reason to see this movie is not for a history lesson though. It is about the drama between the sisters, as their relationship evolves towards progressively extreme heights. And it is for this drama that the film should be seen. What keeps it all afloat is the fantastic acting on display. Joely Richardson, an actress who's appeared in a lot of cheese since making this movie (Event Horizon, the Parent Trap) proves her adeptness as she plays an essentially unlikeable character and acrobatically makes her sympathetic and compelling throughout the entire film.

Jodhi May's performance as Leah is another example of this actress's ability and charm. She respects and looks up to her big sister, Christine, and as this admiration grows into lust, May makes this transition tragic AND tender. She is an actress who acts with her eyes. And throughout Sister My Sister hers seem to assess every situation with maximum articulateness. May's performance should have been a wake-up call to any Hollywood producer with a brain. This IS the girl.

Despite May's expert character development, most of the movie suffers from lack of transition. The ending seems a little abrupt. In Heavenly Creatures everything built up to the climax. In Sister My Sister, a good twenty more minutes would have helped in properly building the tension towards the final, tragic act.

Overall, I recommend this movie. Jodhi May and Joely Richardson make it entertaining and emotionally affecting.

Rating:
Summary: If you have a thing for murderous lesbian sisters/lovers....
Review: The "true story" behind Jean Genet's classic play "The Maids", and a genuine shocker. Joely Richardson puts in a fantastic performance as the more obsessive and sexual of the two (and after this, Disney hired her for "101 Dalmations"?) Graphic, detailed and compelling. The only slight quibble is an "over-the-top" Julie Walters as their vulgarian employer. You won't forget this little number.

Rating:
Summary: Sporadic eroticism
Review: This arty, ponderous film is partially redeemed by a hothouse lesbian relationship between two sisters. The story creaks forward in agonizingly slow increments, the acting is overwrought and arch, and the character development uneven and in some cases mystifying. Fortunately the lesbian scenes, while brief, are enthusiastic and quite well acted. It is a guilty pleasure but also the only pleasure to be derived from this otherwise gray, bland, pretentious film. The ending is supposed to be disturbing but I found myself unmoved and uninterested. Recommended for enthusiasts of quality soft-core lesbian scenes.

Rating:
Summary: Horrifyingly (if thats a word) passionate
Review: This film is amazing. I was shocked and completely perturbed to the point of adoring it. Although it isn't for anyone, i suggest you rent/buy it if you have a flair for independent films that will haunt you for days to come.

Rating:
Summary: Sister My Sister
Review: This is a movie about two sisters Christine and Lea who are both house maids for a wealthy woman and her daughter. The two work long hours, six days a week. After all the scrubbing and cleaning they do, you find yourself exhausted. You are not at all taken back when a relatioship develops, because you somehow know that they have nobody but each other. However, the realtionship coupled with the long work days, trying to keep their affair a secret, and find time together wages a tremendous strain on the two. Christine becomes jelous when she witnesses the onwers daughter displaying a fondess for Lea. She becomes enraged and starts banging pans in the kitchen making the owner suspicious. Lea enters the kitchen in a contrite manner and the next moment a steamy scene develops. However,with so much tension mounting, you knew something tragic was going to happen. Highly Recommend.

Rating:
Summary: I need you
Review: This is one of my favorite movies. It's dark, depressing and sometimes scary. Joely Richardson and Jodhi May are really awesome. The hole story is just so interesting. You will see no men in this movie. Well one, but only his back.

Sure, "lesbian love between two sisters" is a tabu topic, and yeah you will see some sex scenes, but if that doesn't bother you - watch it!

(It is based on a true story).

Rating:
Summary: A Little Tense ...?
Review: This is what happens when too many women live together under the same roof. A perverse little film with excellent performances from Joley Richardson and Julie Walters.

Rating:
Summary: Intriguing British lesbian incest melodrama
Review: This movie deals with difficult issues in an amazingly realistic manner. I loved it. It's foreign and very different. Incest, lesbian desires and other dark... problems... are evident. Not recommended for the highly religious or weak stomached, but a must see for those who love beauty and have open hearts/minds.

Rating:
Summary: Disturbingly Beautiful
Review: This movie deals with difficult issues in an amazingly realistic manner. I loved it. It's foreign and very different. Incest, lesbian desires and other dark... problems... are evident. Not recommended for the highly religious or weak stomached, but a must see for those who love beauty and have open hearts/minds.

Rating:
Summary: Haunting and Psychologically Mesmorizing!
Review: This video was frighteningly shocking and utterly disturbing. This movie portrayed the hidden side of a relationship most of us do not come in contact with. The actresses were brilliant. Love is love in any form. No one can stand between lovers of any kind.