Review - Matt Mungle
**In theaters December 18th 2015**
Synopsis: Two sisters decide to throw one last house party before their parents sell their family home.
Review: The premise for SISTERS has been done a hundred ways with a hundred different actors. But it is worth experiencing again simply because of the comic hilarity of Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. Love them or hate them there is no question that together they are an unstoppable funny force. This was no exception.
Maura Ellis (Amy Poehler) and Kate Ellis (Tina Fey) are similar only in name and family. Though they are very close they have quite different personalities. Maura is the Poehler opposite of Kate. She is responsible, caring, and always looks for a way to help those less fortunate. Kate is none of that. When their parents announce they are selling the family home Kate and Maura decide to have the party to end all parties. Chaos ensues, 80's references abound, and Saturday Night Live alum take on character roles that are ridiculous but somehow fitting. Think Project X for old(er) people.
What Fey and Poehler do so well is make light of themselves. They are quick to take stabs at other characters but equally turn the spotlight of their own flaws. In one scene they are trying on dresses for the big night and never try to hide their less than perfect bods. It is in embracing the humor in getting older that makes audiences feel comfortable enough to laugh out loud with them. Both deliver rapid fire commentary and jokes so effortlessly that to give them a script would be like putting a bit in a wild horse. Those moments are very entertaining and what make the movie succeed.
Normally we see them in an atmosphere where they are somewhat censored; whether on SNL or hosting a prime time award show. In the realm of an R rated comedy they have the opportunity to let it all hang out and fly. This may come across as off putting and inappropriate but honestly if there was anywhere it was appropriate it would be here. The sophomoric jokes and goofy delivery isn't everyones idea of box-office entertainment but for those who like to laugh at nonsense will overdose on sarcastic, crass one liners.
SISTERS is also a high five for those older adults who miss the crazy parties of their younger years. It is a chance to vicariously live through some 40-somethings who take one night to forget kids, jobs, and responsibility to dive head first into youthful shenanigans. As Kate tells her guests at one point, "We didn't go to all this trouble so you could rush home to watch Flip or Flop!". And like most of these movie plots there are a lot of High School friendships that need rekindling and mending. Kate and Maura relive the wonder years in full force.
The party itself becomes a monster all its own. Anything that could happen does. Kate and Maura threw great shindigs in their youth and want this last one to outshine them all. Many funny faces grace the guest list played by well known SNL peeps like Bobby Moynihan and Maya Rudolph. Several scenes play out like late night skits but that is ok. When put end to end they blend together enough to make for one laughable experience.
The film is rated R for crude sexual content and language throughout, and for drug use. It is undoubtedly an adult film and one for those who do not mind the off color joke or pun after pun of the human anatomy. Yet, Fey and Poehler make it endearing and not nearly as embarrassing as male driven comedies. They lend their tongue in cheek, non pretentious delivery to each line which sort of softens the blow. I give it 3 out of 5 pedicures. Certainly a must see for those, like me, who love watching these two together, uncensored, and off the leash.
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