Ses trois filles

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+.

His Three Daughters is a terrific showcase for all three of its stars with a contained story that's emotionally taxing yet still has so much warmth. It's the ideal run time that allows it to take its time without feeling too slow. There's a generally theatrical feel that comes from its focus on performances and minimal locations which is counterbalanced by how good the technical craft is in ways that are designed to go unnoticed.

Natasha Lyonne, Elizabeth Olsen, and Carrie Coon are all brilliant in their own way. Natasha Lyonne is initially the most laid back of the group with greater pain and anger revealing itself soon after. Carrie Coon is the most highly strung and Elizabeth Olsen has the most expressive eyes which show all of her anguish. When they argue it's gripping to watch and they're even better when they do come together.

As director, writer and editor Azazel Jacobs displays many talents at once without drawing attention to them. His editing does a great job of making the characters feel further apart than they are when they're at odds and his dialogue feels strained yet tender. Rodrigo Amarante's cinematography is gorgeous with a grain that only adds to the beauty and framing which uses the confined spaces to create memorable moments.

Interesting choice of title. Showing that even if we mainly see the daughters of a dying man, the man is centric to the story because he is the reason, and only he, why we see them interact with each other in this dramatic point of their life.

Also, it is interesting to me how at first they seemed so different from each other, with distinct personalities and by the end they blend - not much, but at least their personalities are more into one - with their common goal sinking in. That's why their bond will be stronger after.

Great acting from the three leads but with no moments of brilliance.

Just a sad showcase of the power of grief and all its steps. Not a movie one can enjoy, let's say, but one you can appreciate.

I really wish those making movies would consult medical personnel before making a movie. This movie is solid when it comes to family relations and how the stress of losing a loved one brings out the silent and unsaid. However, from a medical aspect, hospice patients sign a document stating what their wishes are when doing the paperwork with hospice. The hospice medical director signs off on it, so that made some scenes unnecessary. Also, there are no cardiac monitors, no IVs with hospice, and nurses do not come and sit at the bedside because time is money in healthcare. (We wish we could spend that time). Besides that, this movie reflects real life, it is entertaining, and does not include the standard forced Hollywood social indoctrination. So, thank you, for just entertaining the audience.