Release Date: November 8, 2013 (Limited)
Director: John Sayles
MPAA Rating: NR
Film Pulse Score: 4.5/10
John Sayles is truly one of the “fathers” of independent cinema. Unlike some of his colleagues in this area, such as Steven Soderbergh, every film of Sayles’ is an “indie” and he continues that path with his latest, Go for Sisters. While most of his films have flown under the proverbial radar given their low budgets and often non-star casts, his work is well-respected by cinephiles and some of his work has even been award-worthy – e.g., Passion Fish and Lone Star in the 1990s. If Sisters is the first Sayles film you see, you will likely be struck by how understated his work is, how simple the film seems, and how almost eerily natural the acting seems to be. Having seen several of his films, including two of my favorites mentioned above, I can tell you that all of his films share a subdued quality. While I ultimately cannot recommend Sisters, I do recommend Fish and Star as excellent films by this intriguing filmmaker.
Go for Sisters tells the story of Bernice (LisaGay Hamilton) – an African-American parole officer who finds a former high-school classmate sitting in her office one day – that is Fontayne (Yolanda Ross). Although a previous scene has shown Bernice to be a tough-minded law enforcement officer, she takes what could be considered pity or understanding on her former friend (and “sister” as they refer to one another) and does not send her up for a hearing for a possible parole violation. At first, she tells Fontayne that she must reassign her to a different parole officer because of the obvious conflict of interest in their shared past. But she reconsiders when she discovers her young-adult son, Rodney, is missing. She keeps Fontayne as her client and enlists her past shady connections to help find out what has happened. Thus begins the mystery of where Rodney is and the inevitable road trip that Bernice and Fontayne must make to find him.
In the course of their search, the two women encounter a former LAPD officer who speaks Spanish. He is Freddy Suarez (James
Edward Olmos) and he comes in handy when the trio discovers that Rodney was mixed up in bringing illegal immigrants over the border from Mexico. The intelligence they gather tells them that Rodney himself is south of the border, and Freddy takes the women to Mexico in search of Rodney – dead or alive. They ultimately find Rodney, but more I will not say. The film is about the journey more than it is the final result.
The film has numerous implausible plot points and Sayles’ script (he also edited as well as directed) plays fast-and-loose with just how a washed-up former cop, a parole officer, and an ex-con could track Rodney both in California and then into Mexico. Some of the detective work truly stretches incredulity. Still, there are some wonderful moments of lightheartedness in what is otherwise a deeply serious movie; most of this is provided by Ross’ characterization of Fontayne who, at times, it seems is the only voice of reason.
It is not a bad film, but it is not a great film either. It is really quite middle-of-the road. As I said, it is not the Sayles film I would recommend to someone who is unfamiliar with his work. But if you are interested in a mildly entertaining mystery road-trip story with a grizzled ex-cop, a devoted mother, and an ex-con with a heart of gold, then you may indeed find Sisters to be an enjoyable movie. Just do not expect too much from it; otherwise, I fear you will be disappointed.
