Sister, Sister

This is a great Southern Gothic film, a genre we don't see enough examples of, especially of this caliber. To the one who didn't like its brutality, all I have to say is, A) it's fairly subtle compared to many horror films, and B) What were you expecting? A Merchant Ivory Production. Plus, I think Bill Condon, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Judith Ivey all did wonderful jobs - elevating what could have been a by the numbers exploitation film into something that's haunted me for years.

Not to be confused with the TV show of the same name, Sister Sister the movie is a Suspense Thriller! If you are expecting a comedy about twins separated at birth make sure you read the DVD box and go pick something else.

Set on the beautiful and mysterious bayou's of Louisiana. It follows the relationship between two sisters who have to keep a awful secret from childhood and what lengths they will go to, to keep that secret under wraps.

Judith Ivy's performance as the older protective sister is stellar and that goes the same for, screen chemistry between Eric Stolz and Jennifer Jason Leigh.

Be prepared for twists and turns in this one. And a Paranormal touch too.

If you watch it for anything watch it for the mystery and the stunning dream sequences.

I'll watch almost anything if Jennifer Jason Leigh is in it, and not just because she gets her kit off a lot; she's a great actress and usually elevates anything she appears in. But we all have our off days, and even Jen cannot save this Southern gothic horror from mediocrity.

Leigh plays Lucy Bonnard, mentally fragile younger sister of Charlotte (Judith Ivey); together, the siblings run a guest house in the Louisiana swamps. When dashing young businessman Matt Rutledge (Eric Stoltz) arrives at the house, he seduces Lucy, which annoys Charlotte, whose own relationship with sheriff Cleve Doucet (Dennis Lipscomb) is on the rocks, and angers Lucy's childhood friend and admirer Etienne (Benjamin Mouton).

It doesn't take a genius to figure out that Matt is up to no good, but what is his reason for stirring up trouble for the Bonnard sisters?

Admittedly, the mystery is fairly engaging and develops satisfactorily, ending with a neat supernatural twist, but there is still something off about the whole film. It's difficult to pinpoint precisely what it was that didn't click for me, but there is definitely something awkward about the performances and direction. Lovely Jennifer does take her clothes off though, so there is that.

Two sisters (Judith Ivey and Jennifer Jason Leigh) turn their family mansion in Louisiana into a guest house. One of their guests (a young Eric Stoltz) is an aide to a congressman, and turns their lives inside out.

Director Bill Condon is interesting -- this was his debut film, but it seems his career really blossomed in the 2000s with a string of hits: "Kinsey" (2004), "Dreamgirls" (2006), "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1" (2011) and "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2" (2012). Humble beginnings?

I actually did not find this to be all that great of a film. The cast helped it (Jennifer Leigh can do no wrong). But really, just not a film I am eager to see again and that is all I have to say.

This early Joel Cohen, sans Ethan, effort is passable. It features a good southern goth feel and some fine performances from Judith Ivey and Jennifer Jason Leight. It does rely too heavily on shock, rather than fleshing out its plot, but still its pretty convincing stuff! There is the requisite nudity and violence but at least this seems intune with the settings and people, unlike some deliberately sleazy thrillers. The repressed younger sister is understandably attracted to ahandsome "stranger", and her older sis is of course jealous. this makes sense and sets up a good twist with some nice nuances. Recommended especially for fans of Leigh.