Director: Jason Moore
Cast: Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Ike Barinholtz, Samantha Bee, Maya Rudolph, Rachel Dratch, Bobby Moynihan, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Madison Davenport, John Leguizamo, John Cena, Dianne Wiest, James Brolin, Kate McKinnon, Ja Rule, Dan Byrd, Greta Lee, Heather Matarazzo, John Lutz
Rating: 15
Running time: 118 mins
Release date: December 12th, 2015
If there are two women working in Hollywood today who are funnier or more likeable than Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, I know not who they are. As actors, writers, producers and certainly as Golden Globe presenters (can someone explain why we’ve got Ricky Gervais again this year?) they are at the very top of their game. Together, they’ve permeated our culture in such a way that even people who don’t immediately recognise their names will be aware of them in some form; in 2015 Poehler voiced Joy in Pixar’s INSIDE OUT, and ten or so years ago, Fey adapted a book called “Queen Bees and Wannabes”, penned a script, and gave us a little film called MEAN GIRLS- maybe you’ve heard of it.
In the world of TV they’re equally successful: Poehler’s PARKS AND RECREATION is a cult favourite and Fey’s 30 ROCK won so many Emmys during its run that by the end you had to wonder why the other nominees even bothered showing up. They’ve each written highly entertaining memoirs, both of which I own and frequently return to. What’s more they’re best friends in real life- a fact which completely warms my heart even though I’m not sure why. Basically, I’m a big fan of theirs- is that coming across yet?
Let’s go then to SISTERS, the new comedy starring both Fey and Poehler, with Jason Moore– the director of the much adored PITCH PERFECT- at the helm. The premise is simple enough to be promising- when two chalk and cheese sisters find out their parents are selling their childhood home they decide to return and throw one last house party for all their old school friends. Along the way there are plenty of chances to play SNL bingo, with Maya Rudolph putting in a bitchy turn as Brinda, an old enemy, and Ike Barinholtz (of THE MINDY PROJECT fame) as a surprisingly believable romantic lead. Once the party gets underway, things go wrong and hilarity ensues…or does it?
Well, frankly, no it does not. SISTERS is a solid contender for the worst film I’ve seen all year- and I say that as someone who saw MORTDECAI. As a comedy it’s certainly hysterical- but for all the wrong reasons: if it has any success at all it will be as the example shown in drama schools across the world of the dangers of overacting. Why just raise an eyebrow when you can do that AND sigh AND grimace AND toss your hair? Why trip over slightly when you could fall LOUDLY and HILARIOUSLY? It’s not so much playing for laughs as begging for them- and with a script like this, who can blame them. As unoriginal as it is predictable, the only smiles it elicited from me came when Fey and Poehler were playing opposite each other and I thought fondly- wistfully, even- of all the things I’ve seen and enjoyed them in over the years. Even here, their chemistry is undeniable and it made me think there was a better film in there somewhere- one in which there were fewer supporting characters, with the two lead characters fleshed out, and the sibling relationship explored in an altogether less shouty, desperate way.
The party that comprises the entire film ought to have been one scene in a poignant, darkly funny film about sisterhood and getting older. Instead, it’s a loud, two dimensional romp that promises jokes aplenty, but fails to deliver on almost all of them thanks to the actors shrieking their way through every line. A textbook case of good people doing bad things, the only feeling I was left with was one of the long-suffering parent: girls, I’m not cross. I’m just very, very disappointed.
Verdict
