Life and Death in a Dysfunctional Family: A Review of Azazel Jacobs‘ „Three Daughters“
Families are indeed a peculiar construct. Growing up together, aging together, experiencing highs and lows – but just because you shared a home for years, doesn’t mean you truly lived together. Katie, Rachel, and Christina share a father, but it seems the now 30 to 40-year-old half-orphans have few similarities. Katie is a control freak, Christina a sensitive young mother, and Rachel spends her days smoking marijuana.
The three daughters find themselves back in their old childhood bedrooms for an indefinite period as their father is terminally ill with cancer. Hospice nurses attend to the bedridden patient, and when their shift ends, the daughters take over. The inevitable loss of a sick patriarch and its impact on his estranged children forms the basis of the Netflix drama „Three Daughters.“
In this emotional journey, viewers are reminded of Matthias Glasner’s award-winning Berlinale film „Sterben.“ US director Azazel Jacobs draws from personal experiences with death in crafting this drama. However, unlike his German counterpart, Jacobs focuses on the quiet power of chamber drama rather than shocking cinematic spectacle.
The majority of „Three Daughters“ unfolds within the modest, cluttered New York apartment of the father. The father himself remains unseen, with only the occasional sound of his heart monitor heard through a slightly ajar bedroom door.
Artistry and Structure
The film’s opening monologues immediately establish the daughters‘ deep-seated differences. Katie, portrayed by Carrie Coon, delivers a passionate and lengthy soliloquy, setting the tone for the strained relationships. Her sisters, played by Elizabeth Olsen and Natasha Lyonne, are also introduced through introspective monologues that reveal their emotional complexities. The camera work further emphasizes their individuality, depicting them at a table but never truly together in the frame.
What sets „Three Daughters“ apart from typical Netflix fare is its focus on character-driven performances and meticulous storytelling. This film demands viewers‘ attention, challenging them to confront life’s complexities. As the narrative unfolds, audiences witness the daughters‘ evolving relationships, from arguments to reconciliations, as they navigate their father’s impending death.
The emotional climax of the film belongs to the father, who, though physically absent, delivers a poignant monologue in the final moments. His words speak of love for his children, his city, and the realization that true understanding comes only in absence. Whether real or imagined, this moment underscores the transformative power of individual grief.
A Cathartic Exploration of Grief
As the daughters evolve from strangers to sisters, „Three Daughters“ offers a sobering and nuanced portrayal of the painful yet cathartic process of mourning. Through moments of conflict, reconciliation, and reflection, the film captures the complexities of familial relationships and the transformative power of loss.
Azazel Jacobs‘ „Three Daughters“ is a poignant exploration of life, death, and the enduring bonds of family. Available for streaming on Netflix, this film invites viewers to witness the raw emotions and intimate moments that shape the human experience.