The Sisters (2005)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Director:

Arthur Allan Seidelman

Writers (WGA):

Richard Alfieri (screenplay)
Richard Alfieri (play)

Release Date:

26 June 2008 (Greece)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Every family has its secrets

Plot:

Based on Anton Chekov's "The Three Sisters" about siblings living in a college town who struggle with the death of their father and try to reconcile relationships in their own lives. |

Plot Keywords:

Sister | Three Sisters | Female Teacher | Playing Piano | Teaching Assistant

Awards:

3 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Elizabeth Banks	...	Nancy Pecket
Maria Bello	...	Marcia Prior Glass
Erika Christensen	...	Irene Prior
Steven Culp	...	Dr. Harry Glass
Tony Goldwyn	...	Vincent Antonelli
Mary Stuart Masterson	...	Olga Prior
Eric McCormack	...	Gary Sokol
Alessandro Nivola	...	Andrew Prior
Chris O'Donnell	...	David Turzin
Rip Torn	...	Dr. Chebrin
Greg Foote	...	August Prior
Carolyn S. Chambers	...	Female Customer (as Carolyn Chambers)
Ed Ragozzino	...	Minister
Barbara Bechtel	...	Nurse
Tegue DeLeon	...	Paramedic #1

MPAA:

Rated R for language and some sexual content.

Runtime:

113 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R

Filming Locations:

Cottage Grove, Oregon, USA

Company:

CSC Sisters

Trivia:

Kelli Garner and Bryce Dallas Howard were considered for the role of Irene.

Goofs:

Continuity: During Vincent's final scene, while he is holding Marcia she has mascara under her eyes from crying. When they turn to walk towards the street her make-up is perfect.

Quotes:

Marcia Prior Glass: I'm really just a good girl who's more comfortable fighting with her husband than cheating on him. I guess I'd rather be a bitch then a slut...
Vincent Antonelli: Does caring for someone make you a slut?
Marcia Prior Glass: No. Expressing it does.

Movie Connections:

References "Star Trek" (1966)

That bitch is evil!

An outstanding film from Arthur Allan Seidelman, based upon a play by Richard Alfieri (Puerto Vallarta Squeeze).

Maria Bello just dripped sensuality in every word and movement throughout, except when she was spitting venom like "This party isn't for you anyway. It's for our little unborn nephew... God save him from your genes." Or, "Harry... Harry, if you want to withhold approval, intimidate and give rewards or punishments... buy a dog." She was the child of incest by her father and that rape caused her immense pain that permeated every relationship. It is a fact of life, and I have never seen it more brilliantly displayed. Alfieri captured the lifelong torture in his word, and Bello displayed it with emotion that made this film.

That is not to say that Bello was it entirely. Eric McCormack ("Will and Grace") had a pain of his own and he was absolutely dripping with venom in his snide remarks and eventual explosion of the bottles up anger. A man afraid to revel his feeling for fear of rejection, he got to the point where he could no longer contain.

Elizabeth Banks was the perfect "white trash" that felt out of place in this family - and she was, marrying the out of place brother Alessandro Nivola. Mary Stuart Masterson was also extremely good as the sister who could not reveal her pains either due to her position at the school. Rip Torn added perspective as the professor who read headlines out loud.

Great performances from all and a film worth your time.