IFFBoston: Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader Get Dramatic in “The Skeleton Twins”
Michelle Douvris ’16 / Emertainment Monthly Editor
Not to be misunderstood, The Skeleton Twins is not a gritty, depressing indie. It’s dark for sure, but Wiig and Hader manage to bring some lightness to what would otherwise be a downer of a film. Instead of allowing subjects like suicide, sex addiction, and depression to create a somber tone, director Craig Johnson acknowledges that life is neither a clean-cut drama nor a clean-cut comedy; there are heavy doses of both. Johnson utilizes his lead actors to showcase this beautifully, creating a cinematic experience that ranges from heartbreaking to heartwarming, sometimes within the same scene.
Besides the two leads, the supporting cast brings their game as well. Luke Wilson earns some laughs as Maggie’s overly optimistic husband Lance, and Ty Burrell is a welcome addition as an important person from Milo’s past. Both characters are very influential in showing us why Maggie and Milo are the people they have become. Craig Johnson and Mark Heyman have crafted a brilliant screenplay that intertwines all these characters into a realistic story about realizing one’s self worth. In fact, the film took home the top screenwriting award at Sundance earlier this year. If you’re looking to see a thought-provoking movie that will also make you laugh, The Skeleton Twins should be on your radar when it hits theaters this September.