Ursula Meier, director of one of my favorite films of 2008, “Home” is director the film, “Sister”.
A fascinating film about a young boy and his somewhat useless sister living together and barely surviving on the money that Simon makes through stealing skis, clothing, equipment and food from the luxury ski resort and selling it to local people in town and also seasonal workers.
Part of you is captivated by the film because of how Simon is able to generate money from stealing from the rich but how he carefully has everything planned out of where he hides his ski’s or equipment, how he is able to pull of a lot of thefts during at the ski resort.
But also making you wonder, why is this young boy doing all the work? Where is his parents? What is wrong with his sister and why is she unable to hold a job?
Making you wonder if she is a prostitute as she is seen disappearing with different men but also trying to bum off money from Simon and Simon going so far as to bring her clothes.
But we see how Simon is towards other people. Outside of the thefts, he finds himself attracted to a motherly figure (which was a surprise to see “The X-Files” actress Gillian Anderson in the film) and also trying to prove himself that he’s a big boy and can survive on his own.
Obviously the film appears to be about a dysfunctional family, where only a brother and sister have each other to survive. That is until we find out the big reveal from Simon about his relationship with Louise and it’s absolutely heartbreaking that a boy has to endure so many things in the world but everything we have seen of him in the beginning of the film, starts to make sense and you can’t help but see how this relationship that he has, starts to affect him.
The film relies heavily on young actor Kacey Mottet Klein. From his behavior, mannerisms and we become the voyeur to this young boy’s operation of stealing and trying to make money to survive. Klein does a fantastic job of playing the character and making you interested.
Meanwhile, actress Lea Seydoux has a role of playing Louise, a person who no doubt had her issues and is unable to hold a job, unable to take responsibility and part of her is torn between her responsibility to Simon but also wanting to find happiness with some man.
But the secret that both Louise and Simon will surely affect their relationship if any of the truth comes out.
As much as I would like to get into details, it would spoil the main premise of the film. But I will say that the way this boy was brought into this world, for the most part, unloved and has been taught to believe that to get love, you must pay money upfront, is devastating and most unfortunate.
Overall, Ursula Meier’s “Sister” is a fascinating yet heartbreaking film about a a broken family and one boy willing to do all he can to get attention from the only family he has and receive love. Featuring a wonderful performance from the young Kacey Mottet Klein, “Sister” is recommended!
