I really enjoy when actors leave their comfort zone, even if it is on a small scale. Former Saturday Night Live stars and, up until now, strictly comedic movie actors Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader team up as a pair of estranged siblings who reunite after failed suicide attempts coincidentally on the same day. It’s a look into their lives and past that is both humorous and somber. Emotionally impactful, if at times depressing, this film rises above self pity and explores two siblings reconnecting after being scarred by both childhood and life. Kristen Wiig as Maggie is always charming whether playing comedic or dramatic, but it’s Bill Hader’s performance as her gay brother Milo that steals almost every scene in this movie. It’s a toned down version of his SNL character ‘Stefan’, but he is definitely channeling him throughout the film. He is able to contain the excesses just enough to make it a masterful performance. I’m going out on a limb and say that this will be a nominated performance come Oscar time.
After a failed suicide attempt by her brother Milo, Maggie travels to L.A. to bring her brother back home to the East coast. Milo’s dream of making it big in Hollywood never materialized and after a breakup with his boyfriend, Milo is lost. Maggie’s dream of suburban bliss did not turn out as satisfying as she expected. Despite having an ideal, albeit clueless husband, (played just goofy enough by Luke Wilson), Maggie is depressed to the point of suicide herself and consoles herself in a string of extramarital affairs. Despite the 10 year absence and tension between the two, their chemistry is apparent and their connection is strong. Despite their fragile states, each strengthens the other with their presence.
The film unfolds slowly and takes its’ time examining the two. Whether through flashbacks or conversational revelations, their history begins to take shape and we begin to understand what has brought them to this point in their lives. I go back to Hader’s performance that could have been played over the top, but was instead right on the mark. A delicate person trying to deal with the trauma of his life the best he can and come to grips with his past. His confrontation with his ex teacher/first love Rich (Ty Burell playing to almost the same level of performance perfection as Hader) could have been overly dramatic, but Hader conveys both hurt and hopefulness simultaneously. It’s a pleasure to watch subtleness of performance and complexity of feeling instead of being hit over the head with whatever is trendy or politically correct. The writer walks a tightrope of a teacher who betrayed a student’s trust yet sincerely cared for him as well as wrestling with his own identity.
Kristen Wiig also is able to create a character we care about despite not being satisfied with a life most people strive for. Maggie wanted the suburban dream after being denied it as a child, but is in turmoil when she discovers that it is not fulfilling. With a fragmented and estranged family, she feels lost and alone despite having everything she could want. Only Milo can understand, if not sympathize. The understanding is emotional and, despite their history, each is there for the other, even when it appears they are not.
It’s difficult to say what this film is ‘about’ or what message it trys to convey. It merely examines the lives of ordinary people in a way that allows us to care for everyone involved instead of choosing sides. Life and our decisions aren’t as black and white as we try to make them. The bond of family is what supports us even when they are not present. Once again, I’ll say I enjoyed seeing the dramatic side of these two comedic actors even if there were many comedic moments in the film. While I can’t say that this film had a fulfilling message or tidy resolutions, it is a satisfying character study. Fingers crossed for Hader at Oscar time.
I give this film *** stars
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