One of the breakout stars of the “mumblecore” movement that evolved during the mid-2000s, Mark Duplass has gone from writing, directing and starring in no-budget independent films to successfully adapting his brand of comedy-drama for a (relatively more) mainstream audience. Duplass and his brother/collaborator Jay scored indie hits with 2010’s Cyrus and this year’s Jeff, Who Lives At Home, while as an actor he’s currently starring as a self-styled time traveler in the critical fave Safety Not Guaranteed.
This week, Duplass looks to continue his fertile run with Your Sister’s Sister, Humpday director Lynne Shelton’s well-reviewed comedy which finds him caught in a love triangle with two sisters — played by Emily Blunt and Rosemary DeWitt. To mark the movie’s opening, Duplass shared his Five Favorite “sibling” Films with us — which is both fitting and revealing, considering his working dynamic with his brother and how much of their stuff revolves around the strains of family.
“Terry, I f–ked my boss.” That line defines this relationship. She’s supposed to be the “together” one. Maybe she’s not. This movie was a huge influence on me. The inherent sadness and comedy of two siblings forced together to get their crappy lives on track. So good.
Here you have John and Joan Cusack playing on-screen siblings. It’s a smaller relationship in the film, but the authenticity of their dynamic always stuck with me. Watch this one again just to see these two at their best.
The way that Gilbert loves Arnie in this film is so sweet and sad to me. The guilt, the exhaustion, even the jealousy. It’s a fantastic relationship and two of our best actors are
in their prime here.
Adam Sandler and his gaggle of bitter, hateful, horrible sisters provide some of the most uncomfortable on-screen comedy in cinematic history. In one scene with his sisters, P.T. Anderson justifies all of his main character’s odd behavior for the entire film.
These are my favorites. Donald and Charlie Kaufman. Both played by Nicholas Cage to perfection. I could go for days on this one. But the journey from Donald’s insufferable buffoonery to where they end up is like nothing I’ve ever seen. Funny, sad, beautiful stuff.
Your Sister’s Sister is in theaters this week.
