Sister/Sister
Genre: Drama/Comedy
Director: Kitty Green
Writer: Jacob Jones
Cast: Emily Alyn Lind, Natalie Alyn Lind, Myles Perez, Caleb McLaughlin
Plot: Inside a local airport, a family sits by the food court, all reminiscing about days gone by. Yet among it all, Katie (Natalie Alyn Lind) appears distant, sadly staring at her sister Amy (Emily Alyn Lind) as she converses with a far wealthier man, James (Myles Perez). Suddenly, she hears a soft voice calling out, her new boyfriend, Myles (Caleb McLaughlin) asks if everything is alright. Katie lies, saying that she’s well when the P/A speaker announces the imminent departure of a plane. Amy’s plane.
As Amy says her final goodbyes to her family, Myles assures that they’ll write whenever possible. Before Amy can reach her flight, however, Katie runs up to her, almost unsure if she should say something. Amy asks Katie if she’s alright, only to be surprised as Katie pulls her in for a hug, tearfully confessing that she’ll miss her. Amy dries Katie’s tears, assuring her that she’ll come back someday and that, even if she's married, she’ll never change. The two share a final embrace before Amy and James make their departure.
Katie returns home, looking through a scrapbook featuring the bond the two sisters shared, showcasing the two contrasting personalities, Katie being a responsible, successful girl with multiple musical awards and scholarships and Amy having a more tomboyish, playful personality. Katie stares out of the window, a longing expression on her face.
Several Years Later…
Inside a large mansion in Hawaii, a young woman stands in her room, staring off into space, a hint of discontent apparent on her face. James enters the room, noting a fancy lunch prepared for the two of them, yet Amy seems distant. James approaches Amy, asking if something is wrong, she’s appeared distant recently. Amy hesitates before admitting that her life has felt empty recently. James stands by Amy, claiming that it may be a case of a quarter life crisis and that everything will work itself out. That’s just it, however, Amy is grateful for her life, but that something is missing.
And then, it hits her.
“James, do you remember my family?” Amy asks James, him claiming to have a vague thought of them. Amy suggests that it may be time to pay them a visit. The two converse among themselves, planning the matter.
Out in Philadelphia, Katie (Natalie Alyn Lind) is busy rocking out on her guitar, her boyfriend Myles (Caleb McLaughin) providing vocals only for Katie to stop, hurling the guitar onto the floor, clearly frustrated. Myles tries to ask what’s wrong, only for Katie to bluntly admit that nothing’s clicking. Myles tries to get more out of Katie to no avail.
Eventually, Katie lands on her bed, staring at the ceiling with a saddened expression, wondering when Amy will come home. Myles sits with Katie, assuring her that there’ll come a day when the two come together, just like old times.
All of a sudden, Katie’s phone buzzes, revealing a text. Katie picks it up, her excitement levels reaching a million when she finds out that Amy is coming over for a visit, only to be filled with existential dread when she realizes she has to prepare. Myles tells Katie to not worry, he’s got it taken care of. Katie gives Myles a hug, calling him the best boyfriend ever.
A Few Days Later:
Katie and Myles have the place all gussied up for their guests when the doorbell rings. Katie rushes to open it, immediately glomping Amy with a big hug and going for the secret sister handshake. Despite his initial confusion, James reintroduces himself to Katie and Myles, having been told much of Katie’s “irrepressible spirit”.
Myles then ushers the couple inside their house, calling it their humble abode. James and Amy take the grand tour, taking note of how average and ordinary it is compared to their mansion, even spotting a shrine for Green Day. As the men head off to chat, Katie tries to catch up with Amy on life.
Despite appearing distracted, Amy tries to answer Katie’s questions as best she can, her stiff nature not unnoticed. Katie smirks, wondering when she became the spitfire of the family. Amy changes the subject, complimenting Katie on her “unique” shrine.
All throughout the day, Katie tries to get Amy to do some of the things they used to do when they were younger, only for Amy to politely decline. Despite her frustration, Katie holds out hope that she can break through to Amy.
With Myles and James, however, things are more cordial, as James seems legitimately interested with Myles’s collection of records, having done the same with Sinatra and Martin. Myles is also amazed when he learns of James’s family and their business of selling golden watches.
Amy approaches the two men as they bond further, asking James if she can talk to him. Myles sees himself out so the couple can talk. Amy admits that Katie has changed quite a bit since she last saw her. She used to be quieter and reserved, more keen to submissiveness. Now, it’s rock bands and singing and a smell that she can only describe as “two month old jelly”.
James assures Amy that all is well and that Katie may have done some growing during her time away. From what little he's seen, Katie is a spirited young woman, a bit of a handful but lovely nonetheless. He encourages her to keep faith, and that things are fine.
Myles is about to prepare dinner when he comes across a dejected Katie. When asked what’s wrong, Katie tells Myles the same story. Amy has changed a lot. She used to be much louder, more courageous, now she’s just like every other rich person she’s come across. Katie wonders if something’s wrong, or if the ‘real’ Amy got kidnapped.
Myles sits by Katie, assuring her that there’s nothing wrong with her. It’s likely Amy’s done some growing, if her relationship with James is anything to go by. He’s certain Amy is still the sister she loves, going by what he’s seen from James. Feeling better, Katie thanks Myles for the reassurance, offering to help with dinner.
Dinner comes, and the group of four sit together, Myles’s chili being the meal of choice. While James and Myles continue to hit it off just fine, things remain awkward being Amy and Katie, especially when it comes to old stories, Amy appearing embarrassed, to a point where she asks to be excused, Katie following suit. With the men all alone, they discuss the situation between Amy and Katie, realizing that they’re both in the same boat. The two ponder on how best to handle the matter.
The next day, James and Myles convince Amy and Katie to go to the park, feeling that some bonding time is in order. As the four travel to the Independence National Historical Park, they all take in the beautiful sights and sounds.
As the group continue their tour across the national park, Amy and Katie slowly reconnect, showing signs of their old relationship, all until Amy checks her pockets and finds that her wallet is missing. Things worsen when Katie can’t find her phone. The group searches the entire museum, finding no sign of either item.
Katie panics, claiming that some ‘embarrassing photos’ are on that phone, leading everyone to guess what they may be. When Amy takes her shot, Katie makes an accusatory statement towards her sister. Amy always did love embarrassing her sister. Amy fires her own accusation towards Katie, claiming that she spent her money on one of her childish fixations.
The two argue for several seconds, both trading personal barbs at one another before declaring that they never want to see each other again. Amy and Katie storm off, leaving James and Myles to pick up the pieces.
Amy heads outside the historical park, sniffling before finding James, telling him that they’re going home. James insists on staying, convinced that this can be salvaged. Amy argues back. For so long, Katie had always been the “good” twin, the one everyone could count on to be responsible, now she’s claiming to be a rockstar? What a joke, it’s on Katie for not living up to her---
Suddenly, Amy comes to a realization, all this talk about Katie shifting away from being “the responsible one” is projection for her own insecurities. That of never being good enough to match her, even in things she excelled at like ballet, skating and karate. It was always thought Katie would do amazing things in life—
“And she still might,” James suggests, hinting that maybe being with Myles has helped Katie understand her true strengths and shed her own insecurities. Amy tries to hold her grudge, only to softly admit that she wishes Katie would let her be the best at something, rather than just do it on her own. James dries Amy’s tears, softly embracing her.
Myles goes in search for Katie, finding her sitting and crying by the Liberty Bell. When Myles tries to talk to Katie, she flies into a rant about how Amy became so uptight, like she’s completely forgotten who she is. While Amy was cheering Katie on, she was out there wearing stupid ribbon contests and figure skating for professionals. When Amy gave the neighbors migraines, Kate took care of them. While Amy took part in student protests, Katie felt a need to tow the school line, and dang it, it hurt her, cause she felt a need to be there for Amy, because she was her sister, even going as far as to say she changed for Amy before asking the painful question:
“Why didn’t she stay the same?”
Myles has no answers, instead bringing Katie in for a hug.
Later that afternoon, Myles and James meet up, with James revealing that he and Amy will be leaving for Hawaii tomorrow, apologizing for how things ended up. Before they head off, however, Myles suggests that they try and find Katie and Amy’s purses, only to find that James has Katie’s purse, and Myles with Amy’s. Amy and Katie have had the wrong purses the whole time! Realizing the absolute mishap, the two come up with an idea to get both sisters back on the same page.
When Katie and Amy arrive at that location, they come across a note from “the mysterious purse snatcher”, who claims to have stolen their purses and has left clues all over the museum. If they cannot work together to find their purses, they will be dropped into the ocean. Their first clue comes from a place where “men would create laws for all”. Amy, not being great with U.S History, struggles with the clue, only for Katie to lead the way, taking them to Congress Hall.
It is there they find their second clue, the thief’s next steps took him to a place where “the founders embrace the walls”. They both recognize the area as the Second Bank of the United States and hurry off, only to be blocked via an immense amount of traffic. Katie can’t clear the room, as she doesn’t have her guitar. Desperate for an idea, Amy whisper to Katie to play deal, urging Katie to trust her. As such, Amy picks up a limp Katie, shouting about how her sister has fainted. This is enough for people to stop and notice, one elderly man even volunteering to call an ambulance, only for Katie to wake up and the two to sprint towards the Second Bank.
Upon reaching the Second Bank, Amy reads the final clue, the purses are where “a ring can call an entire state, one and all”. Katie recognizes that as the Liberty Bell and the two sisters make a mad dash towards the Liberty Bell, both in sheer awe when they find both their purses parched on top of the bell. Amy tries to reach, but can’t do so, leaving it all up to Katie, only to find that she can’t do it either.
At that point, Amy comes to a realization. They need to work together in order to get their purses back. With that, Amy climbs up on Katie’s back, struggling up to her shoulders before performing a tightrope act between the bell and Katie’s arms, eventually grabbing onto their purses before falling to the ground. Realizing how silly they look, the two sisters break into raucous laughter before handing their respective purses back.
Amy freezes for a moment, feeling a sense of guilt for her past thoughts, breaking the silence and apologizing to Katie, admitting that she was jealous of her always being the center of attention and wanted to be noted for something. To Amy’s shock, Katie confesses to feeling the same way about Amy. All these years, Katie had been the “good” girl, doing what she was told to do and following the rules, even when it didn’t seem practical. Sure, she got all the accolades, but Amy had all the fun. In fact, there were two people that inspired her to break out of this cycle. Her boyfriend Myles…
…And Amy, the best sister she’s ever had.
With tears pricking through her eyes, Amy gives Katie a big hug, the two sisters finally reunited. It’s at this point they hear people clapping, finding Myles and James. They explain that they conjured up this scheme to help bring the girls back together, because they knew that deep down, they still loved each other, despite changing over the years. Katie and Amy thank their boyfriends, sharing another embrace. At that moment, Amy grows a wry smirk, asking Katie if she can see the embarrassing photo as a reward. Despite her hesitance, Katie relents and reveals…
…that Katie once cosplayed as Mabel Pines when she was 15.
Everyone breaks out into laughter, even Katie as she realizes that it’s not as bad as once feared and all appears right with the world.
A Few Days Later:
With James and Amy opting to stay a couple days longer after all, the group come at the airport, all gleefully chatting with one another over all they’ve done during this time when the P/A speaker announces the departure of Amy and James’s plane. As the group make their way towards the plane, Katie jokingly asks Amy if she’s going to promise not to change again. Amy chuckles, saying that she has another promise instead, vowing to visit Katie and Myles at least once a year. Katie considers it a deal, promising to call her every day.
“So, I guess this is goodbye?” Amy asks.
“I wouldn’t say that,” Katie says, “it’s more a see you later.”
With that, Katie and Amy hug each other one last time before Amy and James enter the plane. Myles checks on Katie, asking if she’s alright. Katie says that she is, especially now that she knows that she has the best sister around. Myles and Katie share a kiss and walk off as the plane flies off into the sky.
No comments:
Post a Comment