REVIEW: “His Three Daughters” (2024)

As a spectator who has navigated the complexities of family dynamics and the heart-wrenching experience of losing a loved one to illness, “His Three Daughters” resonates profoundly with me. The raw, tangible emotions portrayed by Carrie Coon, Elizabeth Olsen, and Natasha Lyonne in this intimate family drama are so authentic that they tugged at my heartstrings as if I was living their story.

In “His Three Daughters”, a heartfelt family drama, the impending demise of their unwell father reunites three long-estranged sisters, penned and helmed by Azazel Jacobs. This moving tale made its debut more than a year back at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it was acquired by Netflix for an impressive $7 million – quite a steal!

The title “His Three Daughters” is unexpectedly straightforward, encapsulating the essence of the movie itself. This simplicity, however, is what gives the film its grounding and enables it to focus intently on the genuine, palpable feelings that underpin its narrative. Jacobs skillfully casts the perfect actresses for this task. Carrie Coon, Elizabeth Olsen, and Natasha Lyonne deliver raw, authentic performances that carry immense impact. Each actress anchors the film in their unique yet interwoven ways.

In the last stages of his cancer fight, their father resides in New York City, prompting Katie (Coon), Rachel (Lyonne), and Christina (Olsen) to come together at his apartment. They encounter Angel (Rudy Galvan), a hospice representative, who explains the process ahead and advises them to focus on making their father’s remaining time comfortable, free from pain, and serene.

The core conflict unfolds in the strained interactions among the trio of women, each with distinct traits and past issues. Some of these underlying tensions have been dormant for years, resulting in misunderstandings and disconnection that have led them to form disparate opinions about one another. Despite their efforts to overlook these opinions for their father’s sake, it won’t be long before the pressure cooker explodes.

Katie is the eldest among them and finds it difficult to suppress her strong views. She’s sharp-tongued, compulsive, turns to alcohol when stressed, and is swift to criticize Rachel. This behavior seems to stem from her personal struggles at home, which she hides within herself. Rachel, on the other hand, is blunt, distant, and mostly engages in smoking marijuana and placing bets on sports. These activities help her suppress her feelings and dodge confrontations. Lastly, we have Christina, who spends a significant amount of time mediating between her quarrelsome sisters. She is warm-hearted and excessively optimistic, sometimes so focused on finding the positive that she overlooks the truth.

As we get to know these three women better through spending time with them, we uncover more about their personalities. The more we understand, the deeper our comprehension becomes. Jacobs’ detailed script skillfully develops each woman, giving them ample opportunity to fully blossom. Beneath the surface, bitterness and resentment lead to tense encounters, but Jacobs never portrays any of them as villains. Though they may not always win our favor, they manage to tap into our feelings of empathy. This is largely due to the well-crafted and deeply relatable nature of the characters.

If you’ve ever gone through the heart-wrenching experience of watching a loved one pass away, the film “His Three Daughters” may resonate with you in many profound and poignant ways. Jacobs masterfully handles this sensitive subject with raw honesty and unwavering clarity, eschewing melodrama and striking the perfect emotional chord.

2024-09-25 19:56

REVIEW: “His Three Daughters” (2024)

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