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Parents' Guide to

Your Sister's Sister

By Jeffrey M. Anderson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 17+

Smart, mature romantic dramedy has adult situations, sex.

Movie R 2012 90 minutes
Your Sister's Sister Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 15+

Based on 3 parent reviews

BestPicture1996
BestPicture1996 Adult
December 17, 2014
age 16+

Mature and sensitive look at life, love and the little moments

I was completely startled by this film, a completely underrated indie gem that flew way too under the radar. While I do have a few flaws that build up to my decision to dock a star, I can't discuss them because it would be too spoiler-y! While some may have beef with those points, this movie is JUST SO AUTHENTIC! It's the little things that add together and make you sigh with happiness, especially the remarkable chemistry between this trio. The movie lives or dies on their spark, and the result is Washington DC fireworks. I can't tell which pairing I like better, Dewitt and Duplass' drunken exchange or Dewitt and Blunt's pillow talk, Blunt telling the former her deep secret like they were girls. You don't need to know their backstory, all you need is how they react to one another, how they develop and change due to the circumstances the movie presents. There is a shocking amount of high drama you will be surprised at. Additionally, there even a few scenes that had me laughing good, and for a little indie dramedy that's great. It just felt so personal, so genuine and heartwarming I couldn't help but fall in love with it, especially Blunt who I related to the most, and I hope it being on streaming ups its audience!
Aspi
Aspi Parent
January 28, 2013
age 17+

Drama with adult situations

This is drama about friendship, family, making mistakes and how to recover from them. I'm primarily marking it for much older kids because of the situations that involved doing irrecoverable damage while drinking irresponsibly.
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

On the one-year anniversary of his brother's death, Jack (Mark Duplass), is distraught and makes a scene at a party. His best friend, Iris (Emily Blunt), offers to let him stay in her family's cabin to relax and reflect. When he arrives, he discovers that Iris' lesbian sister, Hannah (Rosemarie DeWitt), who has just ended a long-term relationship, is already staying there. After a night of drinking and talking, the two tumble into bed together. This causes many awkward moments and uncomfortable situations when Iris unexpectedly shows up the next day. Can these relationships survive the secrets that will eventually come out?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (3 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

Lynn Shelton's previous movie, Humpday, relied too heavily on an artificial situation; the story of YOUR SISTER'S SISTER springs more naturally out of the characters and their needs and desires. Shelton creates a small, safe universe in which the characters have room to breathe. Their behavior -- a mixture of scripted action and improvisation -- springs from a natural place, and while that can be uncomfortable as well as funny, it never rings false.

Shelton is also to be commended for making a film with so few characters and making it feel cinematic and open, rather than constricted, like a play. The characters achieve a balance, but the spaces around them are also part of the balance (the cabin, woods, and water provide a peaceful tone). It almost goes without saying that the actors excel and that the movie runs the gamut of emotions: funny, sad, tense, and romantic.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Your Sister's Sister drinking scene. Why are the characters drinking so much? Do they regret it? Are the consequences of their choices realistic?

  • Are any of these characters role models? What do they do that's admirable, and what do they do that's not so admirable?

  • Why would Jack agree to have sex with Hannah when he didn't love her? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.

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