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Grief has the power to both break and make, and that is exactly what Azazel Jacobs’ His Three Daughters aims to convey. The Netflix movie, which debuts on September 20, follows three sisters at odds with each other, who have come together in a temporary truce to be by the side of their dying father.
From the beginning of His Three Daughters, it is well established that the siblings Katie, Christina, and Rachel harbor their own resentments against each other. But as the story proceeds, the sisters find some common footing and manage to redeem their relationships despite misunderstandings, assumptions, and personal regrets.
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers and reflects the writer's opinions.
His Three Daughters: A Story of Conflict and Resolution
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In the opening scene of His Three Daughters, Katie, a closed-off character, has taken on the responsibility of caring for her dying father. Christina, the middle sister and a constant peacemaker, is played by Elizabeth Olsen. Rachel, portrayed by Natasha Lyonne, is the youngest sister, a stoner who is frequently judged by Katie.
The father, Vincent, is an off-screen entity for most of the movie. His presence is felt by the constant beeping of the hooked heart monitor and a morphine drip. The air is heavy with a palpable tension between the sisters and the impending doom, which is the death of their father that looms ahead.
The constant back-and-forth between the three sisters, along with the fractured relationship between Katie and Rachel builds tension throughout the first half of the movie. It eventually culminates in a heated screaming match before things finally cool down.
A sharp plot and crisp execution without a moment of dullness
Set mostly inside a small New York apartment, Jacobs uses the concept of being confined to a small space to build up the drama and to release the tension. The sisters eventually make peace and come together, mostly due to spending time in each others' company. The only thing that links them together is their father's presence.
Jacobs has masterfully allowed his characters to reveal themselves piece by piece through natural dialogue and let viewers into the insides of their lives. For example, it is shown that Katie is always at war with her teenage child. At the same time, Christina has her own issues with her family, and Rachel has been taking full responsibility for their father before the other two arrive. This has also given room for three talented actors to show their skill as they bring each character and their nuances to life.
The director has skillfully portrayed the uneasiness of claustrophobia and the discomfort of brewing tension among the characters. This approach allows the story to build into a satisfying tale of reconciliation and redemption without becoming too obvious or overt. The movie is a testament to the complexity of human emotion, behavior, and understanding.
Powered by strong performances from the cast and a subtly dramatic script with sharp humor by Jacobs, His Three Daughters maintains a steady pace throughout, avoiding moments of dullness. The movie takes viewers on an emotional journey, exploring themes of regret, redemption, and resentment within a family drama storyline.
His Three Daughters is available to stream on Netflix.
