Your Sister's Sister (***1/2 out of ****)

Every now and then a film like Your Sister's Sister comes along and leaves you in a euphoric state. It sets aside normal Hollywood conventions and larger than life plots.  Here conversations seem real and in that case all the more hypnotic. With convincing performances and multidimensional characters. Where even when the plot seems a bit off, there is to much to like not to forgive it. For 90 minutes it's better to surrender yourself to the film and just experience every twist and turn along the journey.

A year after his brother's death Jack (Mark Duplass) is still a mess. After making a scene at a party to remember his brother, his best friend Iris (Emily Blunt) has a plan to help Jack. She sends him to her father's remote cabin on a small island. There's no internet or TV so he has a lot of time to think. Upon arriving he finds the cabin isn't empty, Iris' sister Hannah (Rosemarie DeWitt) is already staying here. The two know each other through Iris' stories but are still strangers. They begin to connect over tequila as they drown their pain. A few drinks later and the two end up in bed together. Iris shows up the next day as the two try to decide on how they should proceed with what happened the night before.

A plot like this could have gone many different ways. A simpler movie would have found ways to fit as much comedy in this situation as possible and cliche romantic moves. Instead Your Sister's Sister feels grounded, not to far fetched and incredibly real. All three actors give stellar performances given the room to improvise in lengthy conversations. Director Lynn Shelton allows the actors to work how they want but keeps the pace of the film moving and engaging. You'll laugh and feel the emotional bruises the characters suffer. Here is one of the year's greatest (best I've seen so far) films that relishes in realistic drama.

***1/2 out of ****