Sisters and Other Strangers (1997 TV Movie) User Reviews (5)

Kerns is good...

[MarieGabrielle · 7/10 · 21 April 2009]

While the theme is a bit thin, the sets and cinematography are memorable and will make you wish to visit Sedona Arizona, or any other area of the west coast that doesn't have winter.....

George Grizzard as the father and the mystery in the family are a theme we have seen before, but somehow Kerns manages to transcend material, and becomes her role, she is sympathetic and believable in these films.

There is nothing wrong with escapism if it helps one to get through their day, and LMN network seems to have cornered this niche, sometimes filling in believable gaps that everyone experiences in their own families. This theme might also be interesting if it were explored with an estranged brother and sister. Recommended.

Just Plain Dumb

[Dan Ley · 2/10 · 6 August 2001]

Movies this bad don't ever get ratings of 1. No, that hallowed number is reserved for films so unimaginably bad they can never actually be made without spoiling the fun of playing the movie game called next-they'll-have-the-characters-do-this!

One qualifying scene in this clunker, reminiscent of Steven Seagal's awful "On Deadly Ground" and its dalliances with Native American mystique and visions of talking dead people, is when Steven Bauer and Joanna Kerns inexplicably kiss in the cave. Absolutely nothing leading up to that scene made the kiss believable, except perhaps to the director, whose resume shows he has not made it past TV movies. If he ever wants to, it won't help to tout this effort.

It's all part of a movie that jumps from one contrived, rushed and clichéd scene to another, carrying groan-inducing dialogue stiffly spoken by second-rate actors.

Prediction: this clunker will one day make Mystery Science Theatre 3000.

I Don't Know What It Is

[Theo Robertson · 3/10 · 2 August 2005]

This follows the tragic story of a middle aged woman who dresses far too young for her years called Gayle receiving the bad news that her sister has committed suicide . So far so bad but to compound problems it turns out that her sister Rene might have been murdered

The problem with SISTERS AND OTHER STRANGERS is that it doesn't follow a predictable disciplined path . If the TVM had done that it would have been just plain boring and instantly forgettable but someone somewhere has decided to drown the audience with totally unnecessary concepts like mysticism . Yes mysticism where Rene appears and has sentimental ( And I can't emphasise enough who sickeningly sweet these conversations are )touchy feely trips down memory lane . It's heavily insinuated that these conversations are taking place in a metaphysical world and are nothing to do with Gayle's imagination . If that's the case why didn't she ask Rene if she's been murdered , who did it and what was their motive ? Probably because the audience can work this out for themselves before the climax . I'm surprised I put a spoiler warning in here !

Sisters and Other Strangers-Scenery Doesn't Make this Awful Film *1/2

[edwagreen · 3/10 · 14 November 2009]

Even the location of the west with its beautiful scenery can not help this faulty film.

It basically becomes a muddled story of a young sister, troubled in life, who it first appears has killed herself. When mother, Audra Lindley, in a brief and over-the-top performance, begins to question certain things, suspicion starts to fall on the elder daughter. It then turns out that the husband of the latter was having an affair with the deceased, so there is motive.

Then, we hear about items being worth a fortune, unscrupulous lawyers and mayhem.

The ending may shock others, but I guessed it. I guess it was just keeping it all in the family.

Interesting Story & Beautiful Setting

[kiku9901 · 8/10 · 12 December 2006]

While other reviewers have panned this TV movie, I found it to be both interesting and entertaining. Somewhat loosely based on a novel by Barbara Parker, the Florida setting has been transformed to Sedona, AZ -- probably to better integrate the mystical elements within the movie. Voted one of the most beautiful cities in the U.S., the Sedona red rocks locations live up to their reputation and are breath-taking. I also enjoyed the musical score with its Native American influences. All the actors do a credible job portraying characters that are flawed and not always likable. The depiction of the love/hate relationship between steady, unemotional, older sister, Gail, and flighty, tortured, younger sister, Renee (portrayed by Joanna Kerns and Debrah Farantino, respectively), is believable and, ultimately, quite poignant. In short, in my opinion, watching "Sisters and Other Strangers" is worth a couple of hours of your time.