If mandatory Sunday night dinners weren’t enough of a nightmare in theory, throw in an estranged uncle with an affinity for pie and porn who announces he is taking your house tonight and blackmailing your parents!
Directed and written by Caden Douglas, Mother Father Sister Brother Frank (2024) follows the Jennings family, your typical residents living in suburbia. With matching names, Father Jerry (Enrico Colantoni), Mother Joy (Mindy Cohn), Sister Jolene (Melanie Leishman) and brother Jim (Chad Connell) have no secrets. A few disagreements sure, but no secrets. After all, what is family for if not conflicting ideas on how a perfect Sunday night dinner will play out?
All that Joy wants is to just have one good night, like any mother who is not at fault for anything in their children’s lives, Jerry just wants everyone to share a glass of wine, Jim wants to text his husband in peace, and Jolene wants to complete her alcohol cleanse without question. All their nitpicking becomes tedious as they eventually discover the real issue that divides all families: an estranged family member who has no concept of social etiquette.
When Uncle Frank (Juan Chioran) crashes the family dinner, he crashes loud. A secret between Jerry and Joy is revealed —- one that they have been meaning to share (allegedly). Soon enough, the typical Sunday dinner texting under the table and use of anxiety meds in the bathroom begins to unravel. It is then that the Jennings’ collectively decide to solve the family dispute once and for all. They turn to murder.
Even though each family member faces serious problems in their life — from criminal activity to divorce — the movie doesn’t cheapen their struggles by bringing them together for a heart-to-heart. Instead, it humorously delves into family dynamics while maintaining the absurdity of their situation. Of course, why wouldn’t your mother question your need for anxiety meds post murder? Because family knows no bounds, nor time and place.
Despite the fact the film is centred around a murder, it is more comical than scary. With a picturesque setting in a suburban neighbourhood and bright colour palette, it’s hard to feel frightened or creeped out. The only thing remotely unsettling is the weird Tim Burton-esque instrumental stringing during family dinner.
The movie is also relatively fast-paced, equipped with dialogue that blends irony with relatable family moments. Folks, it doesn’t matter if you’re covered in blood, you still can’t risk ruining your Mother’s couch!
For a dark comedy, the film wraps up with a mostly happy ending reminding the viewer that sometimes all you need is a family bonding experience – and if that happens to be murder, so be it.
Mother Father Sister Brother Frank (2024) is playing at the Sydney Underground Film Festival on September 13 and 15 at the Dendy Newtown. The festival runs from September 12-15.
