THE SISTERS BROTHERS

Director: Jacques Audiard

2018, France/US, 120

Screenwriter: Jacques Audiard, based on the novel by Patrick DeWitt.

Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, John C. Reilly, Jake Gyllenhaal, Riz Ahmed, Rebecca Root, Carol Kane.

 

The Sisters Brothers, an American Western by French filmmaker Jacques Audiard (A Prophet), won hearts and minds (and a standing ovation) at this year’s Venice Film Festival.) A unique comedy/drama/social critique, it stars Joaquin Phoenix (the unpredictable brother) and John C. Reilly (the responsible one) as hitmen for hire on horseback. Their latest assignment is to obtain a formula that can detect gold under water. But the owners of this treasure, a chemist/prospector (Riz Ahmed) and a detective (Jake Gyllenhaal), prove to be almost as much trouble as the escalating tensions between the brothers. The fantastic acting ensemble also includes British comedian and trans activist Rebecca Root, and Carol Kane, of Hester Street and TV’s Taxi fame.

“it’s a near-masterpiece a simmering chase movie that heats up to a searing family drama that wonders how to care for a loved one that’s impossible to live with.” – Inkoo Kang, Slate.com