When you hear the names Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader, it is assumed that laugh-out-loud humor is just around the corner. They are extremely skilled, gifted humorists who are experts at what they do. They don't have to try to be funny; they just naturally are.
Last year saw the limited release of "The Skeleton Twins," a dramedy focusing on heavy issues such as suicide, estranged families, infidelity, and inappropriate relationships. It does have light moments that make us laugh, but this is still a very deep, emotional film. This is not material we are used to seeing from Hader and Wiig; however, after seeing the final product, there are no two thespians better for the job.
Wiig and Hader play Milo and Maggie, twins who have not seen each other in 10 years, even after being extremely close growing up. They have a mother who couldn't care less about them, and their father, who they were close to, committed suicide. After they both engage in unsuccessful suicide attempts themselves as adults, they are brought back together. Past and present mistakes make them come to the realization that they now need each other more than ever.
To watch Hader and Wiig immerse themselves in these complicated characters so seamlessly is to witness some incredible acting. Usually known for goofy comedic roles, both of them do a terrific job of toning it down and showing their dramatic sides while still managing to make us laugh a tiny bit. Their performances are high on the list of performances not nominated for Oscars.
In 2014, the film was at the Sundance Film Festival and won the award for best screenplay. It did not go onto being nominated for any Oscars or other major film awards. This is a big shock to me because of how sharply written and executed the film is. It is a slice of real life, everyday people dealing with issues that they only feel comfortable sharing with certain people. We root for Milo and Maggie to have a happy ending because we become so close to them as the film progresses.
If you have Netflix streaming, do yourself a favor and check out "The Skeleton Twins." It's great to have this service available so you can view films that may have been missed and/or overlooked during their theatrical release. This is the kind of film which I hope will find a bigger audience on the smaller screen. Plus, you can watch it multiple times without paying extra. I know I will.
Last year saw the limited release of "The Skeleton Twins," a dramedy focusing on heavy issues such as suicide, estranged families, infidelity, and inappropriate relationships. It does have light moments that make us laugh, but this is still a very deep, emotional film. This is not material we are used to seeing from Hader and Wiig; however, after seeing the final product, there are no two thespians better for the job.
Wiig and Hader play Milo and Maggie, twins who have not seen each other in 10 years, even after being extremely close growing up. They have a mother who couldn't care less about them, and their father, who they were close to, committed suicide. After they both engage in unsuccessful suicide attempts themselves as adults, they are brought back together. Past and present mistakes make them come to the realization that they now need each other more than ever.
To watch Hader and Wiig immerse themselves in these complicated characters so seamlessly is to witness some incredible acting. Usually known for goofy comedic roles, both of them do a terrific job of toning it down and showing their dramatic sides while still managing to make us laugh a tiny bit. Their performances are high on the list of performances not nominated for Oscars.
In 2014, the film was at the Sundance Film Festival and won the award for best screenplay. It did not go onto being nominated for any Oscars or other major film awards. This is a big shock to me because of how sharply written and executed the film is. It is a slice of real life, everyday people dealing with issues that they only feel comfortable sharing with certain people. We root for Milo and Maggie to have a happy ending because we become so close to them as the film progresses.
If you have Netflix streaming, do yourself a favor and check out "The Skeleton Twins." It's great to have this service available so you can view films that may have been missed and/or overlooked during their theatrical release. This is the kind of film which I hope will find a bigger audience on the smaller screen. Plus, you can watch it multiple times without paying extra. I know I will.