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Julie Walters, Joely Richardson, Jodhi May, Sophie Thursfield, Amelda Brown ... see more see more... , Kate Gartside , Lucita Pope , Aimee Schmidt

In this stark drama based on actual events in a small French town in the early '30s, a pair of repressed sisters slowly lose their grip on reality, leading to horrific consequences at the home where t... read more read more...hey're employed as maids. Christine (Joely Richardson), a domestic servant in the home of haughty widow Madame Danzard (Julie Walters), takes pride in her efficiency and deference. Raised by nuns, Christine bitterly resents her penniless mother, but remains devoted to her younger, similarly convent-reared sister, Lea (Jodhi May). When Lea, too, comes to work for Madame Danzard, Christine trains her dutifully while also driving a wedge between the girl and their mother. The sisters' emotional bond eventually becomes a sexual one, too, and as they turn inward their work suffers, leading to increasing disapproval from their employer. Meanwhile, Christine is driven mad with jealousy at what she perceives as a flirtation between Lea and Madame Danzard's sullen daughter, Isabelle (Sophie Thursfield). Tensions reach a boiling point when the widow and her daughter return home one evening to find burned garments, uncompleted housework, and the sisters holed up in their room together, smelling of sex. Adapted by Wendy Kesselman from her Pulitzer Prize-winning play, My Sister in This House, Sister My Sister was based on the true story of Christine and Lea Papin, whose grisly 1933 murders have also inspired several other works. In addition to Jean Genet's 1948 play The Maids, the incident was the basis for Jean-Pierre Denis' feature Les Blessures Assassines and the documentary En Quete Des Soeurs Papin, both released in 2000. The real-life Christine Papin died after four years in prison, but Lea was released after ten years of hard labor and lived for several more decades in another small French town. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi

Flixster Users

61% liked it

1,253 ratings

Critics

63% liked it

8 critics

R, 1 hr. 42 min.

Directed by: Nancy Meckler

Release Date: June 23, 1995

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DVD Release Date: May 11, 2004

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Stats: 100 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (100)

  • flixsterman
    March 4, 2012
    flixsterman
    Based on a true story, Sister My Sister is a tale of intolerance, repression and consequence. The pacing is exquisitely purposeful and deliberate so don't expect to be on the edge of your seat until the last 10 minutes or so.
  • deano
    April 29, 2007
    deano
    This film is a chilly and fascinating study of sexual repression and class conflict, well acted by all. The ending is a bit over the top.
  • fb704730572
    January 21, 2012
    fb704730572
    A fascinating and disturbing true story, but unfortunately it fails due to uninspired film making and story telling. It was often dull and bland, though it works well when the tension is finally raised. The performances were pretty good all around, especially from Joely Richardso... read moren, but ultimately her character isn't given enough development. The audience never quite buys the ultimate outcome.

    2.5/5 Stars
  • anastasia57001
    October 27, 2009
    anastasia57001
    This is a sick, haunting, bleak tale, and it's irresistible, too. The bond between the two sisters is the only light in the darkness of their still lives. The film may remind you both of "Remains of the Day" and "Heavenly Creatures". The weird thing is... they were all released a... read moreround the same time :)
  • TammiOblivion
    August 15, 2010
    TammiOblivion
    Two lesbian sister domestics go stir crazy and slay their repressive lesbian employers. Based on an actual case, better than you might think. UK version of the story.

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Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy
July 23, 2011
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

This dramatization of the story upon which Jean Genet's play The Maids is based is well acted and has some powerful moments. Full Review

Nick Davis
August 19, 2005
Nick Davis, Nick's Flick Picks

Missable but intriguing expansion of the story that inspired Genet's The Maids.

Jules Brenner
May 26, 2004
Jules Brenner, Cinema Signals

On screen, it seems to be an effort at psychological edginess but the potentials of the medium renders the play as bland as Isabelle. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
April 6, 2004
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Though the subject matter is bleak and upsetting, the narrative is intelligently told. Full Review

Widgett Walls
September 21, 2002
Widgett Walls, Needcoffee.com

It's disturbing, but not half as disturbing as it seems to think it is.

Caryn James
May 20, 2003
Caryn James, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Kevin Thomas
February 13, 2001
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Edward Guthmann
January 1, 2000
Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle

Click to read the article Full Review

Joe Baltake
January 1, 2000
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

Click to read the article Full Review

Monica Hayde
May 20, 2003
Monica Hayde, Palo Alto Weekly

No review available.

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Sister My Sister Trivia

  • "A ____ once bit my sister" is written on the opening credits of Monty Python and The Holy Grail.  Answer »
  • What is the name of the movie that starred Roddy McDowell, Maureen O'Hara as brother and sister?  Answer »
  • The following songs are from the soundtrack to which 90s comedy film: "(Love Is Like A) Heat Wave" "My Guy" "I Will Follow Him ("Chariot")" "Rescue Me" "Gravy" "Roll With Me Henry" "Shout" "Homealone" "Just A Touch Of Love (Everyday)" "If My Sister's In Trouble"   Answer »
  • I have been in Say Anything, Sixteen Candles (both of which I was with my sister), and Must Love Dogs. Who am I?  Answer »
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