Wes's Grade: B
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| Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader |
They say twins have a special connection, and it's never more true in new pensively funny dramedy "The Skeleton Twins." Part understated character study and part comedy, it effectively brings out both the laughs and the tears. When estranged twins Maggie (Kristen Wiig) and Milo (Bill Hader) feel they're at the end of their ropes, an unexpected reunion forces them to confront why their lives went so wrong. As the twins reconnect, they realize the key to fixing their lives may just lie in repairing their relationship. Directed and written by Craig Johnson and starring the "Saturday Night Live' alums and former colleagues, "The Skeleton Twins" is a low-key, bittersweet portrait of two unhappy people whose broken relationship seems to be at the center of it all. The warm, fun chemistry between Wiig and Hader, most often known for their comedic skills, is the chief highlight of the film, and it balances it out from some of the sadder, more talky elements of the movie. Hader in particular delivers a strong, believable turn as the depressed gay brother who needs a good break in life, and he has some of the best lines of the film ("is he always like that?" when referring to his annoying chipper, outdoorsy brother-in-law, played by Luke Wilson). Wiig is also good as the sister with some clear intimacy issues, and she is especially effective in the scenes when their estranged mother (sharply played by Tony-award winning character actress Joanna Gleason). "The Skeleton Twins" is a thoughtful, often painfully funny dramedy with great chemistry from the leads, though some may not appreciate the film's darker, more sarcastic moments. Satisfying and worth a look.
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