The Skeleton Twins
Sundance Film Festival
Director: Craig Johnson

The tone is set in Craig Johnson’s dramedy immediately as we’re introduced to twins Maggie (Kristen Wiig) and Milo (Bill Hader). As Milo lies in a blood-soaked bathtub with two slit wrists, Maggie, on the other side of the country, is questioning whether or not to take a handful of pills, but a call informing her of her brother’s situation makes her think otherwise. However, all is not fine when the pair is reunited and Milo moves in with his estranged sister and her overtly courteous husband, Lance (Luke Wilson). Johnson takes on an array of taboo topics including suicide, infidelity, molestation and successfully walks a fine line between dark realities and comic relief. The chemistry between Wiig and Hader is surreal as the two bounce off uproarious improvisational moments between Mark Heyman and Johnson’s touching dialogue. Obviously, the leads’ previous “Saturday Night Live” relationship has something to do with their connection, but it’s not everything. These two have a bond that shines brightly on screen. Also, if you wish to see the greatest lip-synch performance of Starship’s “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now,” then purchase your ticket today. Those five minutes alone are worth the price of admission. Kudos to Johnson for delivering a heartfelt tale of sibling bonding that I can’t wait to see again as soon as possible.

– Jimmy Martin

Screening Times: 
Monday, Jan. 20 — 9:30 p.m. • Redstone Cinema 1, Park City
Wednesday, Jan. 22 — 12:15 p.m. • Eccles Theatre, Park City
Saturday, Jan. 25 — 8:30 a.m. • Library Center Theatre, Park City