The Macaluso Sisters

Released Aug 6, 2021

1 hr. 28 min.

Drama

List

100%

15 Reviews

Tomatometer

86%

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Audience Score

A tragedy forever alters the relationships of five close-knit sisters living in an apartment together in Palermo, Italy.

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Thomas G

The film shows what happens when poverty hits tragedy. If you don't read any preview about it, at first it seems to be nothing more than a few random scenes out of the lives of these sisters, growing up without parents in poverty. It even takes a while until you understand that the movie in time jumps tells the entire lives of the sisters and it takes even longer before you understand that the youngest sister died in an accident at the beach at a very young age, where the other sisters blame each other for it and all live their lives in bitterness. Where on start at least the two older sisters are getting into the beginning of a love story, one is dreaming of becoming a dancer, etc., that's all gone after the first time jump already and the rest of the movie just shows how they live out their lives together in the same house they grew up in, hating each other, but without any motivation to change a thing, to be forgotten right after the funeral of the last one. It's takes until after the end of the movie before you get the point of the movie, but once you do, you wish we all wouldn't be so careless and not let people like these sisters live meaningless lives. I'd call it a masterpiece of story writing because it keeps you wondering what the movie is all about while you're watching, but drags you through a rollercoaster of emotions after the end.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/04/23

Full Review

Ian W

Well shot and directed. I thought it was deliberately hard to follow though. Where were the parents in the 'early days'. Who was who as we leapt forward 20 years (I was paying attention, it just wasn't clear). Some of the scenes didn't really go anywhere or develop the characters. The childhood trauma wasn't really dealt with at the time either. And then we have lots of adult trauma to contend with. So, good to look at, but ultimately pretty depressing stuff.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

charming m

Haunting Devastating Where at first the film had been uplifting in the face of the young girls' poverty. Superbly realized by Director/Writer Emma Dante.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This is movie about the effect of a fatal accident on a group of five orphaned sisters living on their own in Palermo, Italy. When the youngest sister dies when the sisters attempt to sneak into a private beach side country club, the remaining sisters' lives are forever changed. What is notable about this movie is that the story is told mainly through closeups of the sisters and of the apartment where they grew up, without much dialogue to give us context or plot. The fact that this movie takes place within about 50 years, going backwards and forward in time, is not fully grasped at first. But I ended up liking this non-traditional movie, that features great ensemble acting and beautiful cinematography.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Hauntingly sad and beautiful. The cinematography is stunning, and the storyline communicates tragedy in way that will linger with you for days or weeks.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

Full Review

len s

The story of 5 young sisters living in a low income area of Italy that suffer a tragic loss and how it affects the rest of their lives. I liked the story and enjoyed seeing parts of Italy not frequented by tourists.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Emma Dante

Director

Alissa Maria Orlando

Katia Giovane

Susanna Piraino

Lia Giovane

Anita Pomario

Pinuccia giovane

Eleonora De Luca

Maria Giovane

Donatella Finocchiaro

Pinuccia Adulta

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Josh Kupecki

Austin Chronicle

If The Macaluso Sisters shows a little heaviness of hand in this final act, it can be forgiven, for Dante has such a keen, compassionate eye for imbuing the physical with such an emotional depth

Rated: 4/5

Sep 1, 2021

Full Review

Monica Castillo

RogerEbert.com

Any missteps feel minor in comparison to the film's most poignant moments.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 6, 2021

Full Review

Beatrice Loayza

New York Times

Haunting and powerful.

Aug 5, 2021

Full Review

Nicholas Bell

IONCINEMA.com

Based on her own prize-winning play, the playwright/director proves to be as masterful in dramaturgy for stage as well the screen.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 6, 2021

Full Review

Nathaniel Muir

AIPT

Sometimes too melodramatic, the movie is a beautiful story that will leave many emotionally exhausted.

Aug 6, 2021

Full Review

Alex Saveliev

Film Threat

There's undeniable beauty and truth to The Macaluso Sisters that cannot be overlooked.

Rated: 7/10

Aug 6, 2021

Full Review

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Synopsis

A tragedy forever alters the relationships of five close-knit sisters living in an apartment together in Palermo, Italy.

Director: Emma Dante
Screenwriter: Emma Dante
Distributor: Glass Half Full Media
Production Co: Ministero dei Beni e delle Attività Culturali e del Turismo, Rosamont, RAI Cinema, Minimum Fax Media, Sicilia Film Commission
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Italian
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 6, 2021, Limited

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