Have you ever wondered what the lives of rich, bratty children amount to? Neither does anyone else. But what if the children grew up to be Amy Poehler and Tina Fey? Eh, maybe.
Sisters is the newest loud and outrageous comedy for kids who think their respective marginalized groups are secretly better than everyone else. Directed by Jason Moore, the inventor of the hit Broadway show Avenue Q and the equally beloved first Pitch Perfect film, this warm winter comedy is sure to tickle parents who vaguely remember the hard core house parties of their high school and college years.
We haven’t seen Tina Fey and Amy Poehler onscreen together since their somewhat memorable comedy Baby Mama back in 2008. This time, the well-known former-SNL dynamic duo are back playing two unlikely sisters who decide to throw one last sh-bang at their childhood home before it is sold to insufferable wealthy people. Kate, played by Fey, is the wild child who is going to take care of her straight edged divorcée sister, played by Poehler, so she can have the crazy memorable night she never had in high school.
A medley of old and new faces attend the party, including various supporting actors we haven’t seen much from lately, like John Leguizamo (Moulin Rouge!), James Brolin (Traffic), and Dianne Wiest (Rabbit Hole). And of course, a comedy starring two former SNL legends wouldn’t be complete without including a few former vets like Rachel Dratch, Maya Rudolph, and Bobby Moynihan. Most of the cast seemed like a mash-up of however many people Fey and Poehler could find around town, just like any thrown together house party.
Fey and Poehler have a party that makes Project X (2012) look like child’s play, complete with people falling through the ceiling, washing machine explosions, paint in the pool, irresponsible drug use, a sink hole, and lots of house destruction. They seek to tell their audiences, both young and old, that middle aged adults can still throw wild, destructive, and super exclusive house parties that put college kids to shame. And as they raise their red solo cups, Fey’s character invites her hesitant attendees to party like Vikings, like they could die tomorrow. After seeing how their house looks the next day, the two sisters wish they had.
Is it the most clever or funny film to hit the box office in the past few months? Not really, but its not hard to watch Poehler and Fey bounce off each other like they did in the old days. Fey delivers a hilarious performance of the bad girl forced to turn into a straight and responsible role model for a daughter who is obviously more mature than her. Poehler plays a very believable “good child” who finally wants to awkwardly let her freak flag fly and bang the hot guy who lives down the street. When the two work together usually good things happen.
Verdict: 3 out of 5
Is Sisters as funny as Fey’s previous comedy classicsMean Girls (2004)- which co-starred Poehler? Maybe not right off the bat, but it grows on you fast. If you’re looking for a little outrageous spice to mix in with the regular nostalgia that comes with the holiday season, then stop by to see Sisters. It won’t be overwhelmingly funny, but it won’t disappoint 30 Rock or Parks and Recreation fans either.
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