Shadows on the Wall | His Three Daughters

His Three Daughters

dir-scr Azazel Jacobs prd Azazel Jacobs, Alex Orlovsky, Duncan Montgomery, Matt Aselton, Marc Marrie with Carrie Coon, Natasha Lyonne, Elizabeth Olsen, Jay O Sanders, Rudy Galvan, Jovan Adepo, Jose Febus, Jasmine Bracey, Randy Ramos Jr
release US/UK 6.Sep.24
24/US Netflix 1h41

TORONTO FILM FEST

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Like a stage play, this drama centres on three estranged siblings in a confined space, expressing their divergent personalities in quick-paced conversations. Writer-director Azazel Jacobs creates a vivid atmosphere that feels intense and sometimes claustrophobic, with powerfully well-observed nuances in the connections between them. The film is beautifully shot and edited to make the most of the setting, and it keeps its focus on the three excellent lead actors.

No-nonsense Katie (Coon) and emotional Christina (Olsen) arrive in a New York flat to assist younger sister Rachel (Lyonne) to care for their dying father (Sanders) as he enters late-stage hospice care. While Christina tries to avert arguments, Katie is sharply critical of Rachel's stoner lifestyle, even though she's the one who has been taking care of their dad throughout his illness. As these three women negotiate a way of living together, they are each dealing with the situation in their own way. And hospice manager Angel (Galvan) tries to stay out of their way.

From the moment she arrives, Katie pushes relentlessly for her father to sign a do-not-resuscitate order. She also instantly slips back into bossing Rachel around, so it's unsurprising that Rachel tries to avoid her as much as possible. Both Katie and Christina speak about their partners and children back home, something Rachel has never aspired to. Rachel's boyfriend Benji (Adepo) sticks up for her, which of course Katie doesn't appreciate at all.

Coon dominates the film as the matter-of-fact Katie, who tries to control everything. She is merciless with Rachel, who is beautifully played by Lyonne with an offhanded honesty. Olsen is riveting as Christina, who tries to be peacekeeper, feeling everything very strongly. While carefully constructed, their dynamic also feels realistic as they try to work together for their dad, even though it's a struggle to avoid conflicts. And Sanders' climactic scene is simply stunning.

Some of the clashes between these women feel heightened and theatrical, but this is a terrific exploration of how even people within the same family have their own separate stories that they are living through. So while there are moments here that are very hard to watch, there's also a lot of warmth as well, including glimpses of closeness and understanding that might offer hope to families that can't see light through the tunnel. And these moments of authentic emotion are gorgeously played.

themes, language 26.Aug.24

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