(From IMDB.com)
Anybody who’s ventured into the theater to see Sisters likely carries with them a torch for the TV work of stars Tina Fey and Amy Poehler from their days on late night comedy mothership Saturday Night Live. At least a glance around the crowded smallish-theater for a New Year’s Day matinée at the Regal Cinemas’ Shoppingtown mall complex revealed a demographic fit for Fey’s 1998 and Poehler’s 2001 start on that NBC juggernaut.
And yes, this 118-minute comedy directed by Jason Moore and written by Paula Pell has a lot of Saturday Night Live running through its veins. Pell, after all, is a writer for that show. And some of the supporting players, including Maya Rudolph as the needed mean girl antagonist, also come from SNL casts past.
Sisters, though, goes further into the raunchy parts than any show on network TV can, even that bold weekend that started in the drug-fueled ’70s.
The premise: Fey and Poehler are sisters Kate and Maura Ellis, who return to their hometown in Florida when their parents — played archly and exactly as they are in this year’s new CBS sitcom Life in Pieces by James Brolin and Dianne Wiest — decide to sell the family home.
In their 40s, Kate and Maura have lived the roles they learned growing up in that house. Kate can’t keep a job or a place to live even though she’s a mom to a wonderful teen girl; Maura walks the straight line and tries to fix everyone’s problems, especially Kate’s. They agree to throw one last party in their beloved house before the sale is final to preppy New Yorkers they hate at first sight.
The guests are high school classmates found on Facebook.
The rest makes history in the house they always called Ellis Island. They agree that Maura, getting over a divorce, needs to cut loose this night and go for a nice and hunky neighbor guy played by likeable Wahlberg lookalike Ike Barinholtz. Kate needs to stay sober as the party mom.
Remember that Fey wrote the movie Mean Girls before her TV fame as the insecure executive to Alec Baldwin’s swagger mister in 30 Rock. Remember that Poehler acted plenty ditzy as the low-level government official in her own sitcom Parks and Recreation.
Throw in some hijinks akin to movies such as Neighbors and the Hangover franchise and you’re on the right track about the somewhat over-the-top shenanigans.
Then a saving grace: Both Fey and Poehler must adore the feel-good ending lore of Sitcom Heaven, too …
Are you more in the Tina Fey camp or Amy Poehler faction, and why? Did you watch ’30 Rock’ and/or ‘Parks and Recreation’ and why? What’s your favorite big-party movie, and why?
Coming Wednesday: My Top 10 movies of 2015.
Coming Thursday: My Bottom 10 movies of 2015.
Mark Bialczak 
Tina and Amy rocked this movie. I loved it! I don’t think I have laughed that much at a movie since ‘Trainwreck.’ OH and don’t forget about the guy at the party who tries sooooo hard to be funny and sooo isn’t;) He got some white stuff up his nose too at some point during the party lol! Your review of the movie is awesome.
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Yeah, the trying-too-hard guy is funny, Christy, the extra layer on Tina and Amy’s great work. I love how they had him successfully navigate the waters at the end, too. I think he was their John Belushi character. Thanks for your kind words, my friend.
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Oh yes, good call on relating that male character to John Belushi – you’re so clever, Mark! I’m thankful for the warm comments you leave me. I hope you and family are doing amazing xx
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We are hanging through this winter, Christy, now that it’s finally gotten cold here in Syracuse. Ugh. I hope you are well out there in picturesque (as I imagine it) B.C.
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Was suppose to see this with some girlfriends and then, of course, we all got sick. We may all have to make another night of it when this comes out on video. Love Love Love both stars. Did you read Bossypants? It’s pretty LOL funny. Haven’t read Amy’s book yet. As a girl who tries to be funny, these chicks are my heroes. Looking forward to that Top movie list, Mark!
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Rachel, you pick your role models well. I will chip in with the thought that you don’t try to be funny, my friend, you are funny. And thanks for the support on the movie list. Here goes a year’s worth of watching!
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My sons and I have been watching all the episodes of “Parks and Recreations”. We love that show. Amy Poehler is really funny. Haven’t seen much with Tina Fey.
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Next move on to ’30 Rock’ if you can, SD. That’s a funny show as well, and you might gain an appreciation for Tina Fey.
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I have heard of that show. I will check it out. Thanks Mark!!!!
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These are two people whose politics I can set aside because they are so funny. I’ll take “Parks and Rec” to “30 Rock,” but no one can deny how talented they both are. We just Netflix binge-watched all the “Wet Hot American Summers” last night, so I’m in Amy camp today. I saw her with her new red hair, and she looked so pretty, I followed suit! No, that wasn’t the real reason, but still… Glad that the movie wasn’t a stinker! I’m sure I will approve of their soundtrack choices.
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Red, Kerbey! Way to go. I have put WHAS on my dear wife Karen and I’s Netflix binge list now, thanks to your suggestion. And I think you will like T and A’s playlist, my friend. Maybe I should call them A and T, on second glance. The movie is a little raunchy, but not under that banner …
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Well, the show is a bit raunchy, too. I will try to wade through it in A & T movie, to get to the laughs.
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I am looking forward to your best and worst lists, Mark!
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Thanks, Babe! Pressure is on now. 😮
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I love Fey and Poehler but heard this one wasn’t so great. Glad you enjoyed it though.
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I admire their talents so much I was in a forgiving mood for some loose plot points, I guess, Marissa. 🙂
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They are both so talented. But SNL was never better than when Tina was the head writer. I’d call her brilliant. Amy is adorable and so funny. They make a great team, and seem to have a natural gift for comedy. ☺
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They play off each other very well, Van. And Tina is talented in many way, you are correct. 🙂
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i love both so much, both are comic idols of mine. i watched both shows and absolutely loved them, looking forward to the movie )
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It’s non-stop hoot-and-holler, Beth. You’ll be in awe of your idols, I think.
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