Jim Jarmusch’s latest, Father Mother Sister Brother, is split into three standalone vignettes about adult kids reconnecting (or failing to) with their parents, the film boasts an all-star cast including Adam Driver, Cate Blanchett, Tom Waits, Charlotte Rampling, and more. Yet from the opening snowy drive to the final Parisian reflections, it’s hard to shake the nagging question: what exactly is this supposed to be?
The first segment drops us in rural America with Driver’s Jeff and Mayim Bialik’s Emily rolling up to check on their eccentric widowed dad, played by Tom Waits. They chatter about roof repairs, possible scams, and his suspiciously fancy watch while sipping water and staring at a frozen lake. The whole thing is just stilted small talk circling suspicions that never quite explode into drama or revelation.
Next, the story shifts to Dublin, with Charlotte Rampling’s imperious novelist mother hosting her grown daughters: Cate Blanchett’s uptight Timothea and Vicky Krieps’s flaky Lilith. The scene is filled with tea, fabricated successes, and sibling rivalry that goes nowhere fast. Lilith’s “Uber” arrives with her girlfriend in a clumsy attempt at humor, and the sisters giggle over unread books, but genuine connection remains elusive. The exchanges are polite, loaded with passive-aggressive jabs, yet they never evolve beyond superficiality, leaving the impression that these characters barely know each other.
The final Paris vignette follows twins Skye (Indya Moore) and Billy (Luka Sabbat) sorting through their deceased parents’ apartment, driving around the city and trading vague memories over coffee. This was probably the strongest of the three chapters. Here the tone is something warmer—rediscovering old photos, musing on fragility—and the sibling chemistry feels authentic.
As standalone stories, I enjoyed the awkward humor and absurdities of “Father,” which builds up to a humorous twist, and I also appreciated the warmth and tenderness of “Sister Brother,” my favorite segment for depicting the natural, relaxed intimacy shared by family members with a strong bond. It’s a gentle, empathetic film, but one that can test your patience. Your experience may vary.
- Email: neill@outloudculture.com
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First Look Screening in the Luna Outdoor
Saturday, March 28
Luna Outdoor
Celebrate with a $9 glass of house red or white from the bar.
Doors open: 6:00pm
Session start: 7:00pm
Morning Tea Screening
Thursday, April 2
Luna Leederville & Luna on SX
Join us for a delightful selection of English teas, shortbread, fruit cake and mini palmiers before settling in for this lovely, gentle drama from iconic Indie auteur Jim Jarmusch.
Arrivals: 10:30am
Session start: 11:00am
