THE SKELETON TWINS   3.2***

       The film opens with Milo (Bill Hader) failing at a suicide attempt and winding up at the hospital, and twin sister Maggie (Kristen Wiig) receiving the call while she’s attempting her own suicide attempt. Maggie brings the LA-based Milo back to New York to live with her and her human Labrador of a husband Lance (Luke Wilson). As both come to grips with their brushes with death, they start to face and accept their personal demons.  Some of the major revelations that occur  are incredibly well-handled  giving the audience hints of what’s to come but never making it clear how dysfunctional average-looking people can be.  

The major pull for this film is to see what Wiig and Hader can do (They performed together often when they were on Saturday Night Live). It shouldn't come as a surprise that Wiig (great in “Bridesmaids”) is absolutely terrific, as adept with the drama  as the comedy. Her performance sits in the space between the two, that delectable tension of wondering in what direction she will go   The great delight though is Bill Hader, who proves to be just as skillful as his co-star. Milo is the more "showy" role, a gay actor riddled with emotion and neurosis, but what a relief to see Hader err away from the cliché and worry more about Milo as a character rather than his sexuality . And together, Wiig and Hader are absolutely electric, a powerhouse on-screen team that bring out the best in each other. When the sh** hits the fan, both come out with guns blazing, and leave you cheering as the twins find a place for each other in their complicated lives. There is also excellent work from Luke Wilson, Ty Burrell as Milo's old high school teacher/lover and Joanna Gleeson as their self-absorbed hippy mother

 

There is lots of darkness here. We see suicide attempts, adultery, depression and more, and it's not hidden behind fancy camera work or elevated language. It feels real and you can relate to it. These characters show what families can offer and take away. Nonetheless, 'The Skeleton Twins' is a beautifully pitched film that asks you to feel for a bit, sometimes in ways that feel a little too close to home or too difficult to ponder, but rewards you with hope and heart.

Rated R for language, some sexuality and drug use… but a “soft” R.

Clark