In my reckless attempts to collect all things Criterion, I recently purchased Brian De Palma's "Sisters" (1973). The following is some unsolicited feedback...
The plot: A reporter (Jennifer Salt) witnesses a murder in the apartment building next to her own. Unable to convince the police (whom she has pissed-off in several of her columns) that a crime has occurred, she decides to turn Nancy Drew on 'em. With the help of a private detective (Charles Durning), she uncovers the twisted saga of Siamese twins Dominique and Danielle (both played by Margot Kidder), and the unstable doctor who performed the operation to separate them.
The bad:
- Margot Kidder (playing the entire film with the expression of one who has just taken the mother of all bong hits) seems to have exhausted all of her acting resources developing a French accent so exaggerated that she may as well be wearing a frilly maid's uniform
- Several key plot points go unanswered
- Low body count and minimal suspense
The good:
- Effective performance from Ms. Salt (whatever became of her?)
- Incredible score from Bernard Hermann
- Parade of amusingly bad 70's fashions and hairdo's
- Split-screen sequences are very well done
- The climatic dream sequence/flashback/hallucination is a powerful piece of filmmaking that De Palma has yet to better
- Early appearance by Olympia Dukakis (was this woman ever young?)
Overall:
Although it has not aged very well, "Sisters" remains an interesting movie. It illustrates De Palma's eagerness to copy other directors and, in hindsight, himself. Several episodes in the film will remind you of scenes done better in his later movies (especially "Dressed to Kill", "Carrie", and "Body Double").
And, for being a Criterion DVD release, the extras are a paltry lot. Where the hell is the De Palma commentary? Or, better yet, one from the increasingly unhinged Margot?
[This message has been edited by Fright Flick Guy (edited 11-29-2000).]
The plot: A reporter (Jennifer Salt) witnesses a murder in the apartment building next to her own. Unable to convince the police (whom she has pissed-off in several of her columns) that a crime has occurred, she decides to turn Nancy Drew on 'em. With the help of a private detective (Charles Durning), she uncovers the twisted saga of Siamese twins Dominique and Danielle (both played by Margot Kidder), and the unstable doctor who performed the operation to separate them.
The bad:
- Margot Kidder (playing the entire film with the expression of one who has just taken the mother of all bong hits) seems to have exhausted all of her acting resources developing a French accent so exaggerated that she may as well be wearing a frilly maid's uniform
- Several key plot points go unanswered
- Low body count and minimal suspense
The good:
- Effective performance from Ms. Salt (whatever became of her?)
- Incredible score from Bernard Hermann
- Parade of amusingly bad 70's fashions and hairdo's
- Split-screen sequences are very well done
- The climatic dream sequence/flashback/hallucination is a powerful piece of filmmaking that De Palma has yet to better
- Early appearance by Olympia Dukakis (was this woman ever young?)
Overall:
Although it has not aged very well, "Sisters" remains an interesting movie. It illustrates De Palma's eagerness to copy other directors and, in hindsight, himself. Several episodes in the film will remind you of scenes done better in his later movies (especially "Dressed to Kill", "Carrie", and "Body Double").
And, for being a Criterion DVD release, the extras are a paltry lot. Where the hell is the De Palma commentary? Or, better yet, one from the increasingly unhinged Margot?
[This message has been edited by Fright Flick Guy (edited 11-29-2000).]
