His Three Daughters

Sitting in on a loved one's death watch can be a trying time in more ways than one can count, circumstances that many of us can probably relate to all too well. It can be an especially stressful, even hostile, experience when incompatible family members are brought together for such an ordeal, one whose duration and developments are impossible to predict. That's the scenario here faced by three very different (and often-contentious) sisters (Carrie Coon, Elizabeth Olsen, Natasha Lyonne) who begrudgingly join together for the waning days of the life of their father (Jay O. Sanders), who has been placed in home hospice care. During this reluctant, duty-bound "reunion," tempers routinely flare in confrontations stemming from the rehashing of old, unresolved issues, disagreements about current responsibilities, and the seemingly endless waiting for the inevitable to arrive. These matters all wear on the distraught siblings as they struggle to sort out what's transpiring and try to arrive at better, more civil understandings of one another. In his latest feature outing, writer-director Azazel Jacobs has created an authentic story about what often occurs under such difficult conditions, astutely blending intense drama, scathing personal interactions, dark humor and hopes for reconciliation against a backdrop of edgy anguish, searing emotional pain and pervasive uncertainty. The picture's crisp writing and stellar performances (especially Lyonne's stand-out portrayal) drive the unfolding of this gripping domestic saga, often leaving viewers uncomfortably squirming in their seats as raw, long-repressed feelings surface. To be sure, some of the transition sequences in the narrative could use better refinement to get the overall story on track for what follows, but, then, their handling in this manner could arguably be chalked up to the ubiquitous doubt lingering over this situation, a determination that audience members will have to make for themselves. Still, "His Three Daughters" is indeed one of the better releases of 2024 thus far, one that deserves serious consideration as awards season approaches, particularly in the writing and acting categories. It's also a powerful cautionary tale for any of us who may be faced with having to undergo a scenario like this at some point, providing us with valuable insight into how we might want to conduct ourselves when these trying times arise.

We saw this movie at an industry preview. Katie, Christina, and Rachel come together in their father's NYC apartment when he's at the end of life and in hospice care. They are very different souls, all well scripted and well-acted.

The eldest is intense and overbearing, the youngest is dissolute and (seemingly) aimless, the middle child moved to California and became the proto-Cali mom.

Conflict is rampant as the sisters try to negotiate their differences. The movie wanders through the dialogue among the three, the boyfriend of one (a great scene), and the recurring presence of the oddly unempathic hospice coordinator. It's talky and set almost entirely in the dad's apartment, but maintained my interest.

The movie ambles to a conclusion that's both surprising and subject to widely different interpretations that may not be to everyone's taste. I bought in, especially as it becomes clear which child was the father's favorite.

My main criticism is that the three sisters' characters borders on the stereotypical. Borders, but doesn't quite slide over the edge.

This is more of a play than a film. It's talky and claustrophobic, to the point that when at last it moves to an outside scene, you almost feel like you're breathing in cold fresh air.

Interest is sustained throughout, not so much by way of events, as by the interactions of the three very different sisters, and the few peripheral characters that surround them. Dealing with the impending death of a parent, this will (maybe) touch a nerve with some, and give others more fortunate (maybe) an insight to the dynamics to be expected. But I did not find it at any time morose or Maudling or over emotional, the occasionally amusing scenes kept it in check.

My only criticism was near the end, where a 10 minutes or so scene, could/should have been omitted IMO. For me it just interrupted the flow and broke the rhythm of the previous hour+.

I love small chamber films where the key elements are acting, the script, and masterful direction. Such films resemble theatrical plays and usually capture the viewer's attention from the very beginning, holding it until the end.

«HIS THREE DAUGHTERS» is just such a film.

This is a wonderful family drama with brilliant performances by all three main actresses. Seriously, I think they all deserve at least an Oscar nomination. They are the main reason why this movie turned out so well; their chemistry on screen is just off the charts.

Additionally, the skillfully written script, excellent dialogue, and the development of each sister make the on-screen action incredibly interesting and exciting. Each main character is completely different, with her own life and unique problems that the viewer begins to understand throughout the film. It is impossible not to sympathize with each sister; every character is well-crafted, compelling, and powerfully portrayed!

I give my highest recommendations to all lovers of chamber films and powerful acting.

8/10

P. S. Elizabeth Olsen is a Goddess!

The film begins with Katie, portrayed by Carrie Coon, trying to convince her sister Rachel, played by Natasha Lyonne, that their father is dying and it's time to step up and take responsibility for him. Katie believes that what's happened in the past should stay in the past, and now they need to come together for their father in his final days. Their other sister, Christina, played by Elizabeth Olsen, is emotionally unraveling as she witnesses their father's deteriorating condition. After a heartfelt conversation, the sisters agree to put aside their differences and stay together by their father's deathbed, giving their dysfunctional family one more chance, for the sake of their father. This is the core premise of His Three Daughters.

Each of the three sisters has a distinct personality. Katie, seemingly the eldest, is constantly worried and often critical of Rachel, her adopted sister, particularly because of Rachel's struggles with addiction. On the other hand, Christina is the most caring and gentle, showing compassion to everyone around her. By now, you've probably guessed the tone of this film. It's a slow-paced drama that takes its time, with long scenes and lots of dialogue. Most of the movie happens inside one house, with just a few characters talking to each other. For a movie like this, the acting really needs to shine, or it can easily lose the audience's attention. Luckily, that's not an issue here. The cast does an amazing job, completely owning their roles and bringing real emotion to the screen. Each actor gets their character, and they stick to it, making sure the movie stays interesting even during the quieter moments.

I love dysfunctional family movies-they're my favorite genre. The last one I watched like this was Marriage Story, and I absolutely loved it. This movie, though, was just okay for me. It's not a masterpiece, but it's not bad either. It's a decent film that tells the story it wants to tell and does it well enough. But unlike Marriage Story, it's not something I'd call a favorite or feel the need to watch over and over again. But that's just me. This movie is getting a lot of praise worldwide, and people who love this kind of film are really into it. If you're not into slow-paced movies, you might find it a bit boring, but it's still worth giving a shot. Honestly, it's a great movie to watch on a cold, rainy night, snuggled up under a blanket. Definitely worth checking out.