Sisters

Many would think that Star Wars: The Force Awakens would be the only movie to come out this weekend.

But in a move of some rather genius counter programming, Hollywood decided to release Tina Fey and Amy Poehler's new R-rated duo comedy Sisters to combat against the Force. Given that most families will find themselves at the movies this weekend in one way, shape, or form, this seems to be the go-to alternative for those not remotely interested in Star Wars *gasp!*. 

I've been looking forward to this one since the initial previews, but obviously my priorities for the weekend placed this in the alternative spot after I saw the "other" S-movie of the weekend. 

Luckily, those going to check out Sisters will undoubtedly enjoy their film as well. It's a funny, raunchy, and entertaining film with some great co-star chemistry because, well, Poehler and Fey might as well be sisters in real life anyway.  

While it may forever live in the shadow of the much larger movie that released this weekend, Sisters earns its spot in the weekend with some of its own merits and I imagine that for actual real-life sisters, this one will be a special treat. 

I know the plot has been super secret and kept under wraps on this one so I'll try not to spoil much...Sisters portrays two different women, Maura (Poehler) and Kate (Fey) who are at very different points in their life. Maura has been divorced and lives her life rather safe while Kate can barely hold a job and struggles to find a place to live for her and her daughter. At first it's a bit jarring to see Fey as a character who doesn't have her s**t together, but she ends up filling the role well. Long story short, their parents decide to sell their childhood home and the sisters decide to have one final bash to relive the glory days. Thus commences your uber unrealistic, but totally fun to watch edition of a Hollywood house party. The basis for the comedy is nothing special, but it didn't really need to be and the film makes some decent statements out of the simplicity. Honestly, they'll probably speak more to the female audience than they did to me (not to mention to people who actually have sisters), but although I didn't quite connect with the film's messages, I get the sense they were well orchestrated. 

I feel like they should have their own TV sitcom by now...

#Youcanseeboth!

Both Fey and Poehler obviously steal the show and you can tell that the film is its funniest when they are making it up as they go. In fact, the film's main struggle rests here. The script isn't all that funny when they stick to it. In fact, I'd say it's rather unfunny. However, when Fey and Poehler are allowed to go off script, their one-liners are often gut-busters and the film's funniest scenes come from their ability to pull stuff out of their a**. I laughed more often than not and some scenes are true treasures. A scene where Poehler tries to pronounce a Korean girl's name had me almost in tears and the bloopers at the end for that scene were equally as hilarious. Fey and Poehler fire off on another so well, I'm a bit amazed that they just didn't let them ad-lib almost every scene. I will say the script creates a genuinely cute romance for Poehler's character though and some of these scripted scenes are pretty funny. 

The party in the film lasts for about half the runtime and is tons of fun. Things are consistently getting out of hand and there are some fun cameos throughout. One character who I thought was really annoying upon first introduction (an SNL alum) turned out to have several laugh-out-loud scenes once he goes on a drug tirade, and the drug dealer himself is a pretty goofy surprise. Suffice it to say the film uses its R-rating without being completely over-the-top raunchy and it was a smart decision in what I'm sure could have easily been a PG-13 watered down version. 

Pretty great scene even after you've seen it in the trailers

There isn't much more to say about Sisters because I feel like an R-rated comedy with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler is an easy sell. It's genuinely funny, though I wish they would have handed the reins over to the dynamic duo a little more often. It won't be the funniest film of 2015, that honor still goes to What We Do in the Shadows by a mile, but it's nearly as crowd pleasing as that other S-movie this weekend, just in very different ways. As the brilliant advertising claimed:

#Youcanseeboth and truthfully,

#YouSHOULDseeboth

CONS:

• The film is usually significantly less funny when the scenes are scripted
• Takes a little too long to get to the party
• Somewhat forgettable
• A few of the party characters sub plots aren't funny

PROS:  

• Fey and Poehler own the show and the film is at its funniest when they are playing off one another
• There are some fantastic scenes here. "Hey One" had me rolling
• Similarly, some classic one liners
• A few fun cameos and extra characters
• The party is a blast and gets out of hand in ways that only Hollywood parties can
• R rating
• Has a heart and solid message 
• Cute romance with Poehler
• Soundtrack
• Fun and entertaining while not trying to be more than it is 

Rath's Review Score: 7.5/10