Sisters
Brian De Palma, now there is a name in cinema. While most mainstream people will know him from the eloquent and stunning cocaine fuelled gangster flick Scarface (sarcasm,) and horror fans will know him from his incredible adventures into the bloody with Carrie (not sarcasm.) Most cult fans, however, know him for his trashy but brilliant musical Phantom of the Paradise (again, not sarcasm, I love it.) But sneaking in before his luxurious career in cinema was this other cult classic Sisters. And while it may have been made in some wild attempt to be the next Alfred Hitchcock, it certainly musters of classic De Palma too.
Sisters stars Margot Kidder and William Finley (who would later be Winslow Leach/The Phantom in that all round fantastic musical named before.) It tells the story of model Danielle Breton who works for a quiz show. One day she meets contestant Phillip and the pair hit it off, even going back to her flat for some nookie. However, when he wakes up, he finds her arguing with her identical twin sister Dominique on their supposed birthday. And when Dominique stabs him to death, the whole ruckus provokes the interest (and nosey nose) of journalist Grace (Jennifer Salt). But the truth about the sisters may shock Grave and audiences forever.
If you have read more on Sisters then you may read the words “rip-off” and “Hitchcock” everywhere. And some have called it a loving homage. It’s best to lean to the latter because Brian De Palma’s thriller definitely has the Hitchcockian feel, right down to the “peep” hole dream sequence, Rear Window set up (Grace sees the murder from her block of flats,) and the close up on widening eyes. Heck, some may argue that the dramatic score is very Psycho-esque. Nevertheless, it never feels that De Palma is leaning over Hitchcock and copying down his answers on “How To Scare.” Instead, it feels as though he has lovingly obsessed over the famed director and it has oozed into his work.
More to the point, the movie itself is actually pretty creepy when the truth finally kicks in. In fact, it boasts a heinously petrifying dream sequence that takes the view behind the eyes of several characters. A combination of moments, back story and nightmarish visions make it a well done movie trope that satisfies the need for chills. A lot of the building tension and ultimate horror is down to the strong performances from Finley as ex-husband Emile (the late William Finlay is a terrific character actor who can worm is way into an unforgettable presence,) and the excellent Margot Kidder as both sisters. Together, bring the film back into the shock territory and it is tantalising excellent.
Sisters will split a lot of audiences, especially a younger one who may perceive the ending well into the first five minutes of the film. And it has that heightened seventies feel from flared trousers, hair and some moments straight out of Charlie’s Angels. Sisters also takes a while to kick in but when it does, it is satisfying horror farce that takes you to the depth of emotional bonds and broken minds. There is some depth here and it may take a few scenes to whittle it out but when you find it, it often disturbs.
Sisters is much more than a fan-boy's homage and De Palma does exceedingly well of getting under your skin.
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