SISTER, SISTER
US, 1987, 91 minutes, Colour.
Jennifer Jason Leigh, Eric Stoltz, Judith Ivey.
Directed by Bill Condon.
Sister, Sister is a psychological thriller set in the Bayous and Cajun territory. It has the touches of horror. Two sisters run a boarding house in the Bayous. One has had psychological treatment, the other is her protector. Jennifer Jason Leigh is the younger sister, Judith Ivey is very good as the older sister. There is a young Cajun who keeps watch over them, Etienne. Into this household comes a genial stranger, played by Eric Stoltz. However, there are mysteries and the household is upset - leading to vindictive killings. The idea is familiar, the presentation is stylish, the acting good - however, the pace is slow at times and audiences can tend to anticipate what is to happen.
1. Psychological thriller? Mystery? Touches of horror and the supernatural?
2. Location photography, the Bayous, the lonely house, the swamps? Stunts and special effects? Dreams and imagination? Musical score?
3. The title and its tone, the reference to the two sisters, to Matt's attack on them? Their keeping together?
4. The prologue, Lucy's dream, sexuality, violence, the rain, the house collapsing? Who was the stranger in the dream? Symbol of what was to come?
5. The relationship of Lucy and Charlie? Growing up together, running the boarding house? Lucy and her time in the institution, being delicate, fear? Charlie being strong? The sheriff and the strange relationship between them? Her love for him? Charlie as protective of Lucy in the house? The guests, their staying the night, their upset with the house? The death of the dog?
6. Matt as the young stranger, coming into the household, seeming charming? Relationship with Lucy, love, sexual? Charlie and her wariness, watching? The death of the dog? The leaving of the guests? The clash with Etienne and the pursuit by the police? Matt and his presence, Charlie ousting him, his wanting to say farewell to Lucy? The sexual encounter? The revelation of the truth about him? His killing Etienne? The pursuit of Charlie, taking Lucy down to the Bayou, the attempt to kill her? His own death? His still haunting Lucy's imagination? The explanation for his vindictiveness and the death of his brother?
7. The mystery about the two girls, the attempted rape in the cemetery, the knife, the attempted rape of Lucy, Charlie killing the boy? Etienne watching and keeping silent? The irony of Matt having been there and his vengeance? The cover-up, the court case?
8. The sheriff, his love for Charlie, his telling her at the dance that he should keep away? The pursuit of Etienne? Looking up the file? The closing of the case? The marriage?
9. The characters of the two sisters, their experience, Charlie protecting Lucy, Lucy stronger - but still subject to hauntings? The ghosts and Etienne saving her and killing Matt?
10. The atmosphere of mystery? Characters, situation, sex and violence? The happy ending - with the uneasy touch?
