Jack (Marc Duplass) is not in a good place since the death of his brother.
So when his brother’s ex-girlfriend (and his good friend) Iris (Emily Blunt) suggests he go stay at the family holiday home on a nearby island, he figures why not?
So he gets on his bike, cycles to the ferry, takes the ferry, cycles off the ferry, rides all the way to the house, and when he finally gets there it turns out Iris’ sister Hannah (Rosemarie DeWitt) is already staying there.
It’s too long a trip for him to turn around and go, so they decide he’ll stay the night, even if she’s also trying to get over some issues, having recently broken up with her long long-term girlfriend.
Booze is drunk, stories are swapped, Jack makes a clumsy pass, Hannah doesn’t dismiss it out of hand, and suddenly it’s the next morning and Iris has decided to make a surprise visit.
Suffice to say things only get more complicated from there. Writer / director Lynn Shelton (Humpday) has created a gently winning film here, thanks in large part to some real chemistry between the three leads.
This is a film that’s almost entirely about people wanting to move forward within pre-existing relationships – between friends, between siblings – and all three do a great job of making those pre-existing relationships feel real.
Being charming and funny doesn’t exactly hurt either, and with a story that’s as slight as this one – once the two big plot hiccups are established around the halfway mark the rest of the film is basically everyone trying to figure out what to do – having characters that you actually like and want to spend time with is a big plus.
This isn’t a film that’ll leave you wrung out or shattered, but if you’re looking to spend time at the movies with some people you’ll like, this’ll make that happen even if you go alone.
3.5 out of 5
Your Sister's Sister Australian release: 6th September, 2012 Official Site:Your Sister's Sister Cast: Emily Blunt, Mark Duplass, Rosemarie DeWitt, Mike Birbiglia, Mel Eslyn Director: Lynn Shelton
