Skeleton Twins surprises with odd casting choices

To those who saw the movie poster of Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader, two of SNL’s most popular comedians in recent seasons, and anticipated an uproarious comedic masterpiece: Expect to be stunned and slightly drained by the hour and a half film of dark intensity that makes up The Skeleton Twins.

A low-budget “dramedy” directed and co-written by Craig Johnson, the film portrays the lives of estranged twins Milo and Maggie (Hader and Wiig). They are brought together after 10 years of not speaking due to the news of Milo’s attempted suicide. Maggie decides to bring Milo, a failed actor waiting tables in Los Angeles, to stay with her and her husband in their seemingly idyllic home in New York where she works as a successful dental hygienist. The film takes place over the span of a few weeks, throughout which the twins recall their upbringing, particularly the events surrounding their father’s suicide, and force one another to confront the truth about their current lives.

For a movie that is largely comprised of intense, mature themes, including suicide, depression and marital strife, Hader and Wiig are not the most obvious casting choices. As a result, their performances in the film’s darker scenes waver between convincing and uncomfortable.

At times it almost feels as though the audience is watching an impression or caricature of actors in these situations. This is especially true when watching Wiig perform. Though there is an obvious connection between the actors and a chemistry that makes them believable siblings, it is hard to not feel as though the film would have benefitted from actors who have more experience performing in dramatic films.

The more light-hearted moments, while scarce, are when the true talents of these actors are displayed. The scene in which Maggie and Milo, while under the influence of nitrous oxide, play with dental tools in Maggie’s office as if they are young children again particularly highlights both their comedic improvisation abilities and also illustrates the clear bond between Wiig and Hader. This sequence (as well as one in which Maggie and Milo attend a Halloween party in drag) makes the audience long for more of a comedic presence in the film and regret the wasted talent of its cast.

Another unusual casting choice was that of comedian Ty Burrell (of Modern Family). Burrell plays Milo’s former teacher who has a painful past that is slowly revealed throughout the film. While Burrell gives a passable performance, it is odd to see him in a role that is at the center of one of the film’s darker plot points.

Surprisingly, much of the comedic relief stems from Luke Wilson’s character, Rich, an outdoorsy, scuba-diving manly-man with a heart of pure gold who is thrilled by the prospect of fatherhood. Wilson is perfectly cast in the role, and his outlandish sincerity becomes a comedic counter to Milo’s dry, sardonic humor.

Visually, the film radiates a certain warmth because of the diffused lighting and the natural vibrancy of autumn in rural New York. However, this warmth quickly wears away in scenes of conflict, reminding the audience members that situations in their lives can suddenly transform from being carefree and blissful to stressful and uncomfortable, especially when family is involved.

Unlike other films included in the quirky, low-budget genre, The Skeleton Twins does not try to be overly experimental in its choice of camera angles and lighting. Instead it allows the characters and their complex relationships to be the main focus of the film. Many shots give the audience access to close-ups of the characters’ faces, revealing the true emotions behind the façades the characters have created for themselves. This technique is particularly poignant in one of the film’s most moving and visually stunning sequences involving Milo and Maggie.

In this sequence, a dance at a Halloween-themed restaurant transforms into a loving embrace between the siblings.

One of the strongest and most haunting visual motifs throughout the film involves water and drowning, connecting the difficult past and present the twins share. The presence of plastic skeletons and gifts to Milo and Maggie from their father before his eventual suicide are other motifs which remind us of the family’s obsession with death.

All-in-all, The Skeleton Twins is complex, thoughtful and incredibly engaging. It keeps the audience captivated by its nuanced and deeply troubled characters and, through relaying their story, makes you consider the true significance of family in the course of your own life.

Though it is not what you would expect from a cast of comedians and certainly not a fun family film, it is definitely worth the bus ride down to the Charles Theatre.