(dir. Brian De Palma)
*First time viewing
Throughout
his career, Brian De Palma has focused explicitly on themes of voyeurism,
obsession, and the infliction of psychological trauma. While his shifts in
character perspectives and plot twists sometimes come at the cost of creating a
tonally consistent film, De Palma has always been one of the most entertaining
directors of thrillers and horror films. Sisters
focuses on reporter, Grace, who witnesses a man’s murder in the apartment
across from her. The police don’t believe her story, leading her to investigate
on her own. Grace becomes caught in a deadly tale of Siamese twin sisters,
whose separation resulted in disturbing psychological consequences.
De Palma’s
film is part Rear Window and part Psycho, but the story lacks the impact
of either of those masterpieces. Though De Palma has paid tribute to Hitchcock
throughout his career, his films are always a little trashier (in the best
sense of the word) and more exploitative than Hitchcock’s. Still, the schlock
value is usually mixed with important sociological and psychological ideas. Sisters deals with race in the eyes of
the police, female agency, and identity. While none of these concepts are given
enough attention to really say anything significant, they prevent De Palma’s
film from just being a pulp piece.
Part of
what makes De Palma’s films (Sisters
in particular) so unique are his creative camera choices and shot constructions.
Sisters is filled with neat
flourishes, notably the use of a split screen two show a scene from two
different perspectives. This makes the initial murder all the more striking.
Later in the film, De Palma delivers exposition in a clever way by inserting
Grace into another character’s memories through a very surreal form of
hypnosis. Despite the fact that the twist becomes predictable in the third act
and the ending note doesn’t have the resonance it should, De Palma’s
directorial ability elevates the film.
Scare Factor: 1/5 While it falls more on the thriller
end of the spectrum than genuine horror, there are still some thrills to be
had. If you’re a fan of De Palma’s work, it’s well worth a watch. If you’re a De
Palma virgin, Carrie and Blow Out are better examples of what he
can achieve with a stronger script, but Sisters
adds a nice sense of progression in the context of his career.
*Available to watch on Hulu Plus
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