Movie Review by Matthew Schuchman
Undeniably, there will always be exceptions–but in general the members of an atomic family will be close, even when one may be a troublemaker. The bond between sisters seems unbreakable in most cases; it’s something men will fail to understand. Caroline and Jackie explores the strangest of bonds in the most outrageous of circumstances. It will play games with your mind and juggle your feelings in the queen of all diner party conundrums.
Jackie’s excitement for her sister Caroline to arrive from NY is unmatchable. It’s Caroline’s birthday and Jackie is cooking up their grandmother’s famous pot roast in honor of the occasion. Jackie even asks her live in boyfriend to disappear for the night–so she can spend quality time with her sister. When Caroline does arrive, she has a few surprises up her sleeve. Begging the boyfriend to stay and the pot roast to be refrigerated, she reveals she’s already made diner reservations for the three. Jarred and a little upset, Jackie let’s it go as not to ruin the night.
When they arrive at the restaurant, Jackie is shocked to find a group of her friends there for Caroline’s reverse surprise birthday party–two months early. Again, not kicking up a fuss Jackie sits down and begins to reminisce with her friends, until Caroline cuts the diner short and requests everyone go back to the house. Sitting in a circle with Caroline at its head, Jackie is introduced to the biggest surprise of the night when everything heads into an abnormal tailspin.
Entering into a game of, “who do you believe” with the audience’s minds and emotions, Caroline and Jackie is as clear-cut as it can be, while still making the viewer question what’s real and what’s not. Just as Capturing the Friedmans accomplished in documentary form, Caroline and Jackie has the viewers changing their mind at every turn. Things get out of hand early on and the film floors it till a point is reached that you could imagine would have no acceptable outcome. As rational or irrational as one may deem the conclusion, it doesn’t matter. Between these two characters– these two sisters–all they care about in the end, is each other.
Women will always share a bond that men just don’t seem to have, when it comes to family members. I’m not saying bonds between men don’t exist, but it’s a far cry from a womanly one. Caroline and Jackie doesn’t redefine this notion, but it’s certainly an interesting exploration into a world I’ll never be a part of.
Rating: 3 out of 5 ‘Staches
