Review: ‘The Sisters Brothers’ doesn’t try to abide by tradition (Includes first-hand account)

While the Western’s heyday may have passed, there is no shortage of new entries to the genre, especially of late. The narratives in the category allow for interesting explorations of race and class, as well as greed and justice. The era of gunslingers and gold diggers invites any number of conversations of right and wrong, good people and bad… and what’s right may not always be good, and vice versa. Legends were created as their feats were immortalized in the written word and fame became a goal rather than an abstract idea. This is the world in which The Sisters Brothers unfolds.

Eli and Charlie Sisters (John C. Reilly and Joaquin Phoenix, respectively) are outlaws who’ve spent several years making a name for themselves. Their efforts brought them to be in the employment of The Commodore (Rutger Hauer), who’s claimed much of surrounding territory as his domain and uses their skills to ensure no one gets away with crossing him. Their current assignment involves hunting down a chemist, Herman Kermit Warm (Riz Ahmed), who’s in possession of a formula The Commodore covets. Chasing him across several states and getting updates from their accomplice, John Morris (Jake Gyllenhaal), the Sisters brothers always seem to be two steps behind, which isn’t good for their health in their line of work.

Even though they are siblings and partners, Eli and Charlie couldn’t be more dissimilar from each other. Eli is the eldest and the more level-headed of the two men. He hopes to one day retire, settle down with the woman of his dreams and open a store somewhere quiet. Charlie, on the other hand, is a philanderer who enjoys his drink, spends every dollar they make and can’t imagine doing anything else with his life. Although their gun-fighting skills are matched and superior to most, Eli wouldn’t make his living with a pistol if it wasn’t the path Charlie chose for them. Other than wanting to preserve his younger brother, Eli feels he owes Charlie a debt he can never repay — an unexpected source of emotion that runs through the entire film.

In the parallel story, John is incredibly well-spoken and good-mannered. He keeps a diary of his adventures and doesn’t really seem like a gun-for-hire. Herman also has a higher education, which allows him and John to connect on a level neither usually can with other men. Though the latter would be better off if he adopted some of John’s caution when it comes to enlightening people about his grand idea to strike it rich. While John and Herman seem better suited to a partnership, their relationship is built on an inherent deception that will eventually come to a head.

Everyone nails their parts, complementing each other’s performances in spite of the differences in their characters. The gunfights are exciting and pick-up as the story continues, while also finding room for some intrinsic comedy. Moreover, there are elements of the narrative that don’t seem pertinent to the overall plot, yet add to the film’s personality. Finally, the conclusion is pretty brutal as the definition of comeuppance is tested and the four men discover nothing can shield them from the horrors of their actions.

Hitman. Big brother. Gentle soul. John C. Reilly is Eli Sisters. Go see #TheSistersBrothers, NOW PLAYING in NY and LA – additional cities to follow: pic.twitter.com/2HI4CgJ35u

— The Sisters Brothers (@SistersBrosFilm) September 22, 2018

Director: Jacques Audiard
Starring: John C. Reilly, Joaquin Phoenix and Jake Gyllenhaal

Similar Posts

  • Review: ‘Farhope Tower’ of terror opens Canadian horror fest (Includes first-hand account)

    One of the key components of a haunting story is being able to differentiate between a coincidence and a supernatural occurrence. The former is harmless and what most people safely assume is the cause of the majority of accidents; however there is a small percentage that may be traced to a more malevolent force whose source may never be known. In Farhope Tower, a group of paranormal investigators set out to explore an abandoned building with a sordid history.

  • Review: ‘James White’ is a no-holds-barred emotional rollercoaster (Includes first-hand account)

    Dealing with illness at any time in a person’s life is difficult, but the younger the individual the more of a challenge it presents. Youth already carries the heavy burden of transitioning to adulthood and learning to care for oneself; add to that the need to nurse a loved one and life becomes very complex. Trying to find a balance can be problematic but also necessary. In James White, a twenty-something man attempts to care for his terminally ill mother while dealing with his own self-destructive behaviour.

  • Review: ‘War for the Planet of the Apes’ ends the brutal confrontation (Includes first-hand account)

    Mankind has always insisted on climbing to the top, first of the food chain than the tower of power. Eventually, being king of their own local heap wasn’t enough and they went about conquering additional land, fighting bloody battles and feeding their desire for more. Living apart peacefully often seems against our natures, and thus nothing and no one are left to their own devices. In War for the Planet of the Apes, Caesar doesn’t want to fight but he may not have a choice.