by Jon Partridge
The Jerk, The Man with Two Brains, All of Me. Three of my favorite comedies, all directed by Carl Reiner. Less quirky than his collaborative efforts with Steve Martin, Sibling Rivalry makes Reiner’s foray into the screwball comedy genre. While it isn’t a film that ranks amongst those greats, it’s one of those quietly charming films to lose yourself in for a while. Now, thanks to Olive Films, continuing their mission to bring the classics back to Home Video, you can check it out for yourself.
Sibling Rivalry Synopsis
Sibling Rivalry, director Carl Reiner’s (Fatal Instinct) homage to the classic slapstick crime comedy genre, stars Kirstie Alley (Madhouse) as Marjorie Turner, the dissatisfied wife of Harry Turner (Scott Bakula, TV’s Quantum Leap), a workaholic doctor more invested in medical charts than in his beautiful wife.
Encouraged by her sister Jeanine (Jami Gertz, Twister) that an affair might be just the thing to break the monotony, a clandestine tryst with a handsome stranger (Sam Elliott, The Big Lebowski) ends on a low note when he dies from a heart attack. The comic twists and turns are just beginning when hotel guest Nicholas Meany (Bill Pullman, Spaceballs) who thinks that he may have accidentally killed said stranger, looks to Marjorie for help after finding her driver’s license at the scene of the crime.
The plot of Sibling Rivalry is simple enough. As you’d expect with any farcical comedy, it’s the layering of misinformation, confusion, serendipitous timing and escalating fallout that drives things along and provides much of the humor. The pieces are well placed, but as the plot escalates it fails to build any real energy. The plot, pacing and characters lack intensity. The film meanders through the motions when it should have cut loose and embraced its farcical nature.
Much of the film is helped along by the genuine charm of Kirstie Alley, probably best known for her work as Rebecca Howe in Cheers. Her initial frustrations craft sympathy and her later breakdown embodies much of that the film itself should have embraced more strongly. Bill Pullman also stands out, largely because he embraces the goofball nature of the film more than anyone else, while Gerts lights up the screen with a much needed chaotic energy whenever given the chance. Sam Elliot reminds us of his charisma in a brief role, despite his overall importance to the plot. Others, though, such as Scott Bakula, Ed O’Neill, and Carrie Fisher, feel vastly underused and one dimensional. This misuse of the cast feeds in to the overall flaws of the movie. Everything is there for success, both in front of and behind the camera but for the most part things are played too straight and restrained, save for screwball elements courtesy of Pullman and Alley. Had they embraced a darker side or gone more over the top it would probably have been more successful, as it stands Sibling Rivalry is entertaining but rather inert.
THE PACKAGEOlive films once again releases a quality Blu-ray transfer. The image doesn’t look overly manipulated, retaining its film stock appearance. Colors tend towards the over- rather than under-saturated at times. There are no issues with grain or any damage from the source print. Extras features are limited to a theatrical trailer.
THE BOTTOM LINESibling Rivalry is a curious thing. The components are all there for something great but the film fails to embrace a tone that would elevate the material, be that towards the more darkly humorous or the more screwball. While lacking energy, it remains an enjoyable, if forgettable diversion and it’s re-release serves as a timely reminder of the talents of Kirstie Alley.
Sibling Rivalry is available from Olive Films now.
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Sibling Rivalry — [Blu-ray]