These Daughters Of Mine

these-daughters-of-mine-2With an ever aging population the care for the elderly is always a topic for discussion and debate. How do we go about it and what are the children’s role in the provision of care? A family obligation or a just a fact of life? The Polish film maker Kinga Debska ponders the answers in the new film These Daughters Of Mine.

Marta (Agata Kulesza) and Kasia (Gabriela Muskala) are two middle aged sisters who live very different lives. Marta is a well known television actor who is divorced and living with her only daughter. Kasia lives with her husband, son and elderly parents in the old family home. When their mother falls ill, suddenly the family is thrown into chaos as long running tensions between the sisters once again rise to the surface. When their father starts to exhibits signs of dementia it only makes the situation even more fraught.

The central dynamic of the film is the relationship between the sisters. Marta is seen as the favourite in the eyes of her parents. She has had a successful career and appears to have a stable life despite her separation from her husband. On the other hand, Kasia’s life is a bit more erratic. She has a fractious relationship with her out of work husband. Despite her efforts in looking after her parents and their home, she is not held in the same regard as her sister.

these-daughters-of-mine-1It doesn’t help that Marta consistently makes fun of her sister, which is encouraged by her father. Mind you Kasia does open herself up for criticism at times. When her mother is in hospital, lying in a coma, Kesia arranges for a healer to attend to help channel positive energies for healing purposes. When this is not able to produce results, a group session to somehow mystically remotely cure the mother is set up. Needles to say Marta doesn’t attend.

In reality Marta is barely better off than Kasia. She has issues with living alone and admits to her father that she has been in therapy for some time. Her mental state is fragile but like any good actor she plays the part of a normal balanced person. The strain of being in the public eye has it affects but only in public. She is approached by fans no mater where she goes including the shower room at the local gym and when she is tending to her mother in hospital. It all takes it toll, chipping away at her resolve.

The story unfolds in an unhurried fashion. It allows the audience to understand what is going on and form a relationship with the two main characters. In doing so the sympathies shift from one sister to another. This is a clever way of keeping the audience engaged. Seeing it from only one point of view would have made this a totally different story.

The two leads are very good in their roles. There is a chemistry in their interactions that makes you believe they are actually related. They both have the ability to generate a level of sympathy but in a good way. You feel for them but due to the way the characters have been developed there s no pity involved. Their history informs the person they have become.

Overall, a good, compelling family drama with some touches of humour.

John McArthur
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