The first part, 'Father', takes place in New Jersey, USA. Siblings Jeff (Adam Driver) and Emily (Mayim Bialik) visit their reclusive, dishevelled father (played by Tom Waits). They worry that he is hard up for cash, depressed, and isolated - especially since their mother died. Jeff, clearly wealthy, slips him money and brings expensive groceries against the wishes of his sister, who looks on disapprovingly. Prior to their arrival, however, we see the father purposefully making the place look chaotic and untidy.
Next, we're off to Dublin, where romance novelist 'Mother', played by Charlotte Rampling, is preparing for a visit from her two daughters, Timothea (Cate Blanchett) and Lilith (Vicky Krieps). This seems to be an annual ritual involving a frightfully upper-class afternoon tea. There is a real, loving warmth between the two sisters, but with the mother, the atmosphere is cold and intellectual. Lilith is a wild, free spirit in a relationship with another woman which she actively hides, even lying about her career success. Timothea is the 'upstanding' daughter and receives more respect, but they all essentially hide their true selves behind etiquette.
Lastly, we head to Paris for 'Sister Brother', the warmest segment of the three. Twins Skye (Indya Moore) and Billy (Luka Sabbat) reunite at their parents' apartment after they die in a plane crash. As they clear out belongings, they discover there was much about their parents they did not know. While the first two stories are awkwardly stiff, the absence of parents here brings a sense of closeness and kindness between the twins.
As I mentioned, there are themes running through the film. For example, Rolex watches. Father claimed his was a fake, but Emily knew it wasn't. Lilith claimed hers was real, but then exposed herself as a fake. There are skateboarders in every story - young men, possibly depicting freedom in contrast to the masks worn by our characters trying to project/deny success or poverty. There is also the recurring question of whether a 'toast' can be proposed with water or tea as opposed to alcohol, as if nobody truly knows the 'rules of engagement' with one another. It certainly brings to mind the lamps, pens and little old ladies' bottles of Kieślowski.
I didn't realise that Jarmusch was a musician with a band, SQÜRL. Here, he collaborates with Anika (Annika Henderson) to create the score. The atmosphere of the final segment is heavily influenced by her post-punk, avant-garde style, which fits the arthouse vibe perfectly. Driver, Waits, and Blanchett are as solid as ever, though not really stretched. It is nice to see Mayim Bialik outside of The Big Bang Theory and Moore and Sabbat provide the required warmth for the final act. However, I think Charlotte Rampling steals the show - her performance is simply perfect.
It’s a laid-back film that makes poignant points about life. The long pauses between dialogue reflect the distance between people who don't truly know each other. It is a beautifully told story in three parts. You might have different takeaways, but this is what I grabbed. Treat yourself and watch it when you can.
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