The beauty of film is that it is a visual medium. It relies as heavily on what is seen than as what is said. Richard Alfieri’s screenplay, adapted from his own play, The Sisters, which was in turn suggested by Chekov’s The Three Sisters seems to have forgotten this essential premise. Of course it comes as no surprise that the playwright himself would adapt his own work in a way that favors dialogue over a visual story. This being said, The Sisters is an intellectual, wordy film that is set primarily in a New York University faculty lounge. The sisters, played by Maria Bello and Mary Stuart Masterson are the academic heirs to their dubious father’s throne. Both are employed at the University and use the lounge as a home away from home; a place to argue with each other, deride the less intellectual, and generally parade their problems.
The film poses no fundamental action or visual excitement, but rather relies on dense dialogue and confrontation. It opens with a surprise party for the youngest sister, Erika Christensen. By the time she arrives, the anticipating partygoers have already subjected everyone from the old doctor (Rip Torn) to the renewed acquaintance (Tony Goldwyn) to their tirades. This does not seem to bother anyone except for the acerbic professor Sokol (Eric McCormack), who humorously derides them. I found him to be the most likeable character because he is the only one whose eccentricities are at least afforded a little humor. Ironically, he is the least accepted in this bickering zoo. The rest of the film documents the family’s attempts to deal with their past, present, and future; they talk things out, and eventually everything comes to a head. At its lowest point, The Sisters feels like an episode of Married with Children with an IQ of 180. Its stronger moments owe themselves to fantastic dialogue and acting. Maria Bello shines in her role as the-most-flamboyantly-screwed-up sister who wears her emotions on her sleeve. She has the juiciest role and she eats it up with skill and tact. It is a pleasure to watch her onscreen. Nonetheless, the superb acting is not enough to save this piece. The Sisters is smart and at times funny, but would have been best left on stage.
This uninspired DVD has only one special feature: commentary from director Arthur Allan Seidelman, and writer Richard Alfieri. They simultaneously speak about the film in a very intellectual, and at times, inspired way. It is obvious that The Sisters is very dear to their hearts, but their sole commentary is not enough to save this DVD. For a film with such a fantastic and colorful cast, it is unfortunate that none of them were able to appear on the DVD. Obviously there was something about this script that attracted such a stellar line-up, and it would have been nice to hear them to talk about it.
A smart, yet undeniably languid film. Worth watching for true film lovers, but will be much more appreciated by the avid theatergoer.