The Sisters Brothers is a 2018 comedy about a gold prospector who is chased by the infamous duo of assassins, the Sisters brothers.
The western genre is a fascinating one, even if we don’t see a lot of it these days. The writer/ director Jacques Audiard brings it back with his latest film titled The Sisters Brothers, but it definitely feels a lot more different than most popular western flicks out there. As his first ever English-language film in his career, Audiard decides to take on the challenge on doing an adaptation of a novel written by Patrick deWitt, and the result is quite satisfactory.
It stars both John C. Reilly and Joaquin Phoenix as Eli and Charlie Sisters who are assassins hired to murder a man named Hermann Kermit Warm (Riz Ahmed), while the detective John Morris (Jake Gyllenhaal) is also tasked to take out the same person. Admittedly, it is a pretty simple premise, but don’t let that fool you into thinking that The Sisters Brothers is just your typical western popcorn flick. Audiard is clearly passionate about this particular genre, as he brings some heart, wit and dark humor to the film.
What the movie does really well is that it’s engaging from start to finish. The western vibe is definitely there, while still feeling like an Audiard film. The director is able to bring some intriguing moments of tension that immediately grab the audience’s attention, and it is worth praising his skill as a screenwriter. There are also some heavy and emotional scenes that fit well with the drama. As it progresses, it becomes a lot more interesting when it comes to developing its characters and narrative. It is slow-paced, but it’s justified as it’s trying to make each scene relevant to the rest of the film.
However, the two lead actors Reilly and Phoenix are undeniably the best part of the entire movie. They have an amazing chemistry with one another, and you buy the fact that they’re brothers on screen. This is easily Reilly’s best role in his acting career by far, as his character successfully balances both the dramatic and humorous aspects of Audiard’s script. Gyllenhaal and Ahmed are also outstanding in their performances, and they have what it takes to make their roles so memorable. While they are supporting characters, it doesn’t mean that they’re not important for the rest of the film. These four characters have a strong relationship with each other, and it develops as the movie goes on.
The Sisters Brothers is a great example proving why western films are a delight to watch on the big screen. Instead of just being a clichéd and action-packed blockbuster, it is a beautifully told character-driven story with some truly memorable and powerful scenes. Jacques Audiard is definitely one of the best filmmakers in the industry, and this movie proves that fact! It is a triumph.