REVIEW: ‘His Three Daughters’ is an Emotional Story Led By Three Brilliant Performances

With only a few days to live, three estranged sisters, Rachel (Natasha Lyonne), Christina (Elizabeth Olsen), and Katie (Carrie Coon), reunite in New York City to say goodbye to their father. As they begin preparations for their father’s passing, the three sisters find it harder and harder to be around each other as they clash over each other’s priorities, how each handles their grief, and a whole litany of other things. As tensions begin to mount, the sisters must decide if they can put their differences and opinions aside to salvage what little relationship their have with one another before the only link tying them together is gone forever.

None of the characters in this film are extremely enjoyable but watching someone grieve is not enjoyable. The death of a loved one is not enjoyable, and that is what makes this film so good. The film focuses solely on the three sisters, beautifully played by Elizabeth Olsen, Carrie Coon, and Natasha Lyonne, as they each attempt to deal, or not deal, with their grief as they await the death of the father. Over a grueling three-day period, the sisters are forced to co-habitat in their father’s tiny Manhattan co-op apartment creating a heightened tension among the characters. It is this tension and the vastly different personalities that make the story a compelling one. The ending is extremely predictable, but also satisfying. Director Azazel Jacob has created a slow burn story that makes you feel as if you are part of the family. Everyone who watches this film, in some way, can relate to one of the sisters, whether they want to admit it or not.

However, this film could not have worked without the right actors, and Jacobs found the right actors in Olsen, Coon, and Lyonne. These three take these characters, that in the wrong hands, could have been tremendously annoying and make them relatable. They are the reason this film holds together. Each actress brings a different quality to their character that will have you agreeing with them in one scene and hating them in another. These are some of their best performances to date and should lead to some award buzz as we get closer to award season.

His Three Daughters is a hard-hitting film that can’t be missed. If you are a crier, I recommend bringing tissues with you for this screening. It might not seem like an emotional film out the gate, but, as noted earlier, this film is a slow burn. As the story builds, so do the emotions.

Grade: A