His Three Daughters review: watching over the end of life

His Three Daughters is a master class in acting and character building with Natasha Lyonne, Elizabeth Olsen, and Carrie Coon playing three sisters. Written and directed by Azazel Jacobs, the film spends a few days with the sisters as they wait with home hospice care for the death of their father.

His Three Daughters puts three very different women together in a small New York apartment. Watching these excellent actors draw out their character’s stories and personalities is remarkably moving and tender.

Katie (Carrie Coon), the eldest, is obsessed with the planning and paperwork. Getting a DNR signed, writing an obituary, all the while trying to control her teenage daughter back at home. Katie opens the film by delivering a rapid fire monologue with arms crossed. It’s almost a slap in the face there’s so much power behind it.

Christina (Elizabeth Olsen) is the peacemaker. She has a three year old at home but her former life was as a superfan for a rock group. Christina lives across the country and hasn’t been around in a long time.

Rachel (Natasha Lyonne) is a stoner who makes a living betting on sports. She’s been living with her Dad in the apartment and taking care of him. She has a lot going on under the surface but she’s not confrontational with her sisters.

The three sisters are prickly and imperfect. This isn’t the kind of movie that leaves you bouncing with happiness when it’s over.

The father (Jay O. Sanders) doesn’t appear until the last few moments of the film. Until then he is a beeping monitor in a bedroom watched over by hospice workers and his daughters.

At first the film shows the women one at a time, as if they were alone in a room. Each of them a separate island. Over time, as they talk and prod each other, they are shown on the screen together. Finally we see them all in the same frame – bonding, touching, hugging. The choices for how to film the women almost tells the story without words. But there were plenty of words. These are fast talking New Yorkers and they have plenty of words for each other.

Obviously, this is not a lighthearted film. The sisters have work to do with themselves and their rocky relationship. Their dying father has words he can’t get out – it’s too late to speak them.

What emerges from the end of life story and the drama between the sisters is ultimately a story of love and hope. It isn’t a tearjerker, there’s no manipulation of emotions. It’s a portrait of life when it’s raw and difficult, but also beautiful and rewarding.

If this sounds like the type of film that appeals to you, you can see it now on Netflix. I’d love to hear your thoughts on it. The comments are open.