HIS THREE DAUGHTERS
(director/writer:Azazel Jacobs; cinematographer: Sam Levy; editor: Azazel Jacobs; music: Rodrigo Amarante; cast: Carrie Coon (Katie), Natasha Lyonne (Rachel), Elizabeth Olsen (Christina), Jay O. Sanders (Vinnie), Jovan Adepo (Benji), Rudy Galvan (Angel), ); Runtime: 101; MPAA Rating: NR; producers: Matt Aselton, Lia Buman, Tim Headington, Azazel Jacobs, Mal Ward, Marc Marrie, Duncan Montgomery, Alex Orlovsky, Jack Selby; A High Frequency Entertainment, Arts & Sciences, Animal Pictures; 2023)
“An affecting but uneven chamber dramedy.”
Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz
An affecting but uneven chamber dramedy directed and written by Azazel Jacobs (“Momma’s Man”/”French Exit”) has its moments of splendor when not overwhelmed by its stagey scenario.
Three sisters Katie (Carrie Coon), Christina (Elizabeth Olsen) and Rachel (Natasha Lyonne) meet in the NYC apartment of their childhood as they reunite to say their farewells to their dying father (Jay O. Sanders). The relationship among the siblings is frosty, and in need of repair. They hang out together for several days, waiting for dad’s demise and to see if they can reconnect.
The setting is claustrophobic. Their memories are taxing, as their revelations are divulged and old wounds are opened up.
We find the Brooklyn residing Katie, the oldest sister, to be rigid and the mother of a few kids; the laid-back, pothead, sports gambler Rachel is the frank and most sympathetic one, who is not biologically related to the other two–she’s a slacker and is the family black sheep, living in dad’s Manhattan apartment and caring for him; while Christina is the quirky youngest and most cheerful one, who has gone from a Deadhead to a suburban yoga mom, and hides behind her phony image until she can’t anymore.
Dad is not seen until the final act, after the family history becomes known and family feelings are fully divulged.
Because the dialogue is juicy, so are the performances. It’s a domestic drama that gives us a lucid, comical and intimate look into a city family that despite some discord manages to stick together.
It played at the Toronto Film Festival.
REVIEWED ON 9/13/2023 GRADE: B