☆ ☆ ☆ ½
Sisters
(1972) – B. De Palma
Brian De Palma’s films often end up
unsatisfying. Especially in his 1970s
work, he cribs liberally from Alfred Hitchcock, borrowing his themes
(voyeurism), his flaws (misogyny perhaps), and here even his composer (Bernard
Herrmann) – but the result is not on the same level as Hitch’s best work. De Palma seems more grubby, although the 70s
fashion, cars, and decor may contribute to that sense, perhaps a conscious
choice, in Sisters. De Palma also pushes
the sex and violence further than Hitchcock did, losing something when actions
and images become explicit rather than implicit. This said, there is just enough weird
morbidity in Sisters (a hint of Cronenberg perhaps) that makes it
interesting. We begin with Danielle (Margot
Kidder), a French Canadian living on Staten Island who has a one-night stand that
ends in murder. Reporter Grace Collier (Jennifer Salt) sees it from her apartment
window but the police don’t believe her.
Danielle and her weird ex-husband Emil (William Finley) clearly cover it
up (as shown in split screen, while the police are on their way), but we come
to believe that the murderer is Danielle’s (evil) twin. A private detective (Charles Durning) is
hired by the newspaper to investigate.
Herrmann’s score really keeps things moving, evoking the classic
Hitchcocks. But weirder things happen
and what’s with the ending? Ultimately,
the sum may be more than equal to its parts – but the parts have been
repurposed from elsewhere! This might
reward another viewing.
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