"Sibling Rivalry" (1990) is a comedy film that assembles all the wheels, pistons, and gears, but somehow fails to produce a satisfying ride. Here's a review:
Plot Summary: The film follows Vinnie Verducci (played by Matt LeBlanc), an intellectually-challenged man, and his chronically-unemployed father, Charlie Verducci (played by Joseph Bologna), who share an apartment. When Vinnie gets involved in a fling that ends disastrously, he unwittingly sets off a chain of events involving love, deception, and cover-ups.
Review: "Sibling Rivalry" is a black comedy that can withstand the test of time. The lively script remains relevant, and the cast delivers uniformly excellent performances. Matt LeBlanc's portrayal of Vinnie balances humor and vulnerability, while Joseph Bologna adds heart to the film. The dark subject matter (adultery leading to death) provides terrific material for this type of comedy.
Director Carl Reiner, however, fails to make the mechanism purr. The film lacks the manic frenzy and timing of the best screwball comedies. While the plot unfolds in revolving-door situations, the energy level remains low. Certain scenes, like the nearsighted surgeon, cry out for the twisted spin that Blake Edwards would have provided.
The lesson here is that screwball is not just a series of events; it's a state of mind. The best screwball comedies involve allegedly serious people trying intensely to accomplish something important while oblivious to the chaos around them. Unfortunately, "Sibling Rivalry" lacks that manic energy.
Plot Summary: The film follows Vinnie Verducci (played by Matt LeBlanc), an intellectually-challenged man, and his chronically-unemployed father, Charlie Verducci (played by Joseph Bologna), who share an apartment. When Vinnie gets involved in a fling that ends disastrously, he unwittingly sets off a chain of events involving love, deception, and cover-ups.
Review: "Sibling Rivalry" is a black comedy that can withstand the test of time. The lively script remains relevant, and the cast delivers uniformly excellent performances. Matt LeBlanc's portrayal of Vinnie balances humor and vulnerability, while Joseph Bologna adds heart to the film. The dark subject matter (adultery leading to death) provides terrific material for this type of comedy.
Director Carl Reiner, however, fails to make the mechanism purr. The film lacks the manic frenzy and timing of the best screwball comedies. While the plot unfolds in revolving-door situations, the energy level remains low. Certain scenes, like the nearsighted surgeon, cry out for the twisted spin that Blake Edwards would have provided.
The lesson here is that screwball is not just a series of events; it's a state of mind. The best screwball comedies involve allegedly serious people trying intensely to accomplish something important while oblivious to the chaos around them. Unfortunately, "Sibling Rivalry" lacks that manic energy.