THE OTHER SISTER
US, 1999, 129 minutes, Colour.
Juliette Lewis, Diane Keaton, Tom Skerritt, Giovanni Ribisi, Poppy Montgomery, Sarah Paulson, Juliet Mills, Hector Elizondo.
Directed by Garry Marshall.
The Other Sister is a film about mental limitations. Juliette Lewis plays the mentally impaired daughter of wealthy and fashionable parents, Diane Keaton and Tom Skerritt. After difficulties at school and at home, she has lived for a long time in an institution, coming to terms with her situation. The film focuses on her coming home, her mother’s attempts to dominate her life, her father’s devotion to her, the support of her two sisters (Poppy Montgomery, Sarah Paulson). It shows her studying at a tech school in San Francisco, computers, hoping to be a vet assistant. She encounters a similarly impaired young man, Giovanni Ribisi, and they become friends.
Juliette Lewis gives a strong performance as Carla, the young woman. Diane Keaton is very good – although alienating the audience from her character – as the mother. Giovanni Ribisi is also good as the young man. There is a surprise appearance by Juliet Mills as the family’s maid and, as always in a Garry Marshall film, an appearance by Hector Elizondo.
Critics were not kind to the film – but audiences were very moved by the story and the performances. It takes its place along with many other Hollywood films where significant stars impersonate mental limitations, for example Rain Man with Dustin Hoffman, Awakenings with Robert De Niro.
1. The title, the highlighting of the normal sisters, their ordinary life, mental impairment, disability?
2. The San Francisco settings, the family and its wealth, the home, the boat, their lifestyle, the wedding? The technical college? Apartments? The variety of San Francisco locations? The musical score?
3. Carla’s story, at the institution, coming home, her bond with the doctor, the love of her father, taking the goldfish in the plane, the flight, meeting the family, her mother and the dominance, the supportive sisters? Her age, manner, way of speaking? Her memories of school, being laughed at, pushing the boy down the stairs, meals at home, banging the door?
4. Arriving home, the discussions, the meal, Carla’s behaviour, her room, her mother refurnishing it, shutting her eyes for the memories of her old room? The bonds with her sisters? The sister and her fiancé, the engagement? The lesbian sister?
5. Elizabeth and her personality, Diane Keaton’s strong performance? Tom Skerritt as the father, the past drinking? Under control? The love between the two, their clashes, reconciliations? The mother having to learn how to deal with Carla? Her style, patron of the arts and other organisations, at the function, Carla with the dogs, causing chaos?
6. Going to the tech, wanting to be a vet’s assistant, her arrival, registration, the spray with the boys coming on to her, seeing Daniel, helping him, the computer classes, watching the flirting girl with the lecturer – and imitating her in the mirror afterwards?
7. Daniel, his friendship with Carla, her helping him, their talking, friendship, the bike ride, going to Tids ‘n Bits for food, the bakery, his boss, his skills? His character, disability, father paying for his board? His absent mother? His friendship with Ernest, his apartment, his love for band music, going to the practices, the band members and their support of him, friendship? Carla and the blues? The outings, sharing, their overcoming their disabilities? Daniel’s failure in the exam? Carla’s delight in passing?
8. Carla wanting her own apartment, her mother and her concern, the sex talk and her being reassured? The setting up of the apartment, the mother’s lists, Carla and her travel, the buses, visits home, the sex talk, the Thanksgiving dinner, the package and taking it to Daniel, their previous discussions about sex, Alex Comfort’s book, the diagrams, their behaviour? The consequences?
9. Win, the maid, her love and devotion for Carla, preparing the Thanksgiving dinner? Her joy in the household?
10. Halloween, her swan’s dress, Daniel as the dog, Elizabeth’s reaction? Elizabeth and her teaching Carla to dance? The Halloween party, the dancing, the exam results?
11. Ernest, the Vietnam background, his love for music, playing the guitar, his friendship for Daniel, Daniel and his drinking, Ernest supporting him, the phone call from Daniel’s father?
12. The engagement party, Daniel drinking for courage, the fiancée and Caroline, the speech, Daniel interrupting, his blunt talk, Carla and her rage, never wanting to see him again? Elizabeth and her having to cope?
13. Daniel, going in the bus, going home, the decision to come and save Carla, getting the variety of lifts back?
14. The influence of The Graduate, the comparisons, the scenes shown? The wedding, everybody present, the formalities? Carla and her reaction to Daniel, his sliding down the banister, disrupting the wedding, Elizabeth in control and the wedding continuing? Carla and her argument, the sprinklers going on?
15. Carla wanting to discuss her own wedding, Elizabeth refusing to go, the father and his presence in the church? Daniel’s mother? The ceremony, the vows, Elizabeth turning up, the reconciliation, going outside, the bands and their marching past, the salute to Carla and Daniel? The happy ending?
16. Audiences and emotions, insight into the lives of the mentally disabled, tolerance and understanding, love and support?
