Gillian Anderson and Martin Compston add to the outstanding performances in Ursula Meier's award-worth film, Sister.
The little hustler leading Ursula Meier's Sister is the brilliant young actor Kacey Klein and he will break your heart. He might even win you over to his thieving ways like he has done his sister, Louise. Although you get the impression she never tried to stop him in the first place. Cheeky he may be, but his pilfering habits are far from the typically assumed adolescent sense of entitlement.
Stealing stolen ski gear from the resort near his home and selling it on to kids and adults alike, he earns himself a minimal living and shares his money with his broke, overworked sister. He nicks from the rich and sells to the thrifty with a finesse that makes this 12 or maybe 13 year-old both hilarious and creepy to watch. His scenes with the children he sells to show a particular genius on Meier's part as she subtly highlights the many ways these kids have been betrayed by adults with Simon, the gear dealer, the most obvious case of neglect.
In this role, Klein becomes one of two exceptional performances that make this film. The other is the flawless Lea Seydoux as Simon's tragic sister, lumbered with a kid and desperate to find some peace. But Meier smartly steers our focus away from Louise until her brother demands we take a closer look at what's really going on and at this point, Seydoux comes into her own, placing an unprecedented weight on what we already know is a desperate bond characterised by a severe lack of affection.
While Louise ignores how much Simon needs her, he seeks affection from tourist Gillian Anderson who in taking care of her own two kids seems idyllic. He also finds a momentary comrade in kitchen worker Martin Compston (the next James McAvoy, believe me). Both keep this overly confident child at arms length and in Martin's case, take advantage of the opportunities he gives them with his business. Anderson's cool demeanour and practical, cursory dealings with Simon speak of a global nonchalant attitude from the people with power towards those who fall through the cracks.
When Simon eventually verbalises the truth about his relationship with Louise (which you'll have guessed five minutes in), in a desperate attempt for some truth in his life, Louise's response takes this film to a whole other level of tragic. Between this and the heartbreaking but reassuring final scene is a reality that's difficult to face. Huge kudos goes to Ursula Meier for creating this compelling, original take on family ties.
More on Spoonfed
The Hunt at BFI London Film Festival
Warring Tribes: an interview with James Graham on This House at National Theatre
Review: Hedda Gabler at The Old Vic
Add an event
Mac DeMarco, East End Live and Bleached: Editor's Choice - Live Music.jpg)
Tuesday 21st MayMac DeMarco @ The Garage Mac DeMarco // "My Kind of Woman" by capturedtrac...