I was a very young 13 years of age when I first saw Brian De Palma's 'Sisters' when it first arrived in theaters in 1973. I was captivated and intrigued by the warning included on the theatrical poster outside of the movie theater. The caption within an inset box read-"No one will be seated during a special 'shock recovery' period". Of course this had me feeling ill before I even entered the auditorium in nervous expectation. Well from the very opening of the film we find our leading man lisle Wilson the unknowing subject of a surreal game show 'peeping toms'. The lead in music by the always brilliant Bernard Herrmann creates an unsettling and frightening mood. You can almost taste the psychologically evil direction of the film from the very beginning. Further through as we are introduced to our two main characters played by Wilson and Margo kidder we are carried through this with a very smooth dreamlike and creepy feel thanks largely to the incredible soundtrack Herrmann had created here. Once the terror hits us we are not exactly clueless that it is going to take place. But certainly de palma created the the first murder sequence this way intentionally. We know it is going to happen but we pray it doesn't. Well it does- and to terrifying results. The murder of our short lived leading man has to be one of the most shocking scenes ever filmed. The violent and relentless way in which this demonic 'alter ego/other sister' perpetrates murder is to suggest that the way in which she murders her victim is without any restraint and completely sadistic. This scene is certainly carried to terrifying depth through Bernard Herrmann's electrifying score, and now we see the ranting, jerking of the insanity of a serial killer... At only 13 I thought my heart was going to stop, I was mortified. De palma still leaves plenty for us as the audience to think about. Is the other half of these separated siamese twins real or imagined? Is she dead or is she perhaps possessing the body of her sister that is still living? These are questions that give us the mystery we are looking for. The always mystical and beautiful jennifer Salt (daughter of writer and producer Waldo Salt) portrays a reporter named Grace Collier, who witnesses this murder. The police are at odds with her, and for reasons that are quickly revealed. They have reason to question if her claims of a murder in the apartment across the way are real or some scheme grace has cooked up. For the rest of the film Grace plays the part of detective to attempt prove that the murder really did happen aided by a private eye (Charles Durning). What Grace finally finds out is truly terrifying. 'Sisters' is filled with plenty of good scares, creative split screen sequences, and plenty of dreamy nightmarish images. And then there is de palma's ala- hitchcock, which at times is more hitchcock than hitchcock. Bill Finley is especially superb as a quirky and creepy ex-husband. I can hardly understand why some people didn't care for this movie. 'Sisters' may have lost some of it's freight factor after 32 years, but it is still one of the best psychological thrillers ever made despite some moments that are less than perfect. I highly recommend this scary masterpiece. I highly recommend 'Sisters'
Review of Sisters
