Every week at SiftPop.com, we challenge our writers to come up with their favorite answer to a movie-related prompt, related to a recent release. This week, with the release of Drive-Away Dolls, we’re discussing some of our favorite female movie duos! Let us know your favorites @SiftPop!
I know I’ve just seen a great movie when I want to see more of its lead characters immediately after it ends. Barb (Annie Mumolo) and Star (Kristen Wiig) venture away from their Nebraska town to visit the tropical and wondrous Vista Del Mar, Florida! Shenanigans ensue, and they’re thrust into an adventure of a lifetime. The fish out of water concept works great with Barb and Star. There is an innocence they have when they arrive, and watching them try new things is hilarious. Mumolo and Wiig are incredible together, exuding wonderful chemistry and comedic timing. Wiig even pulls double duty, as she also plays the mysterious and evil Sharon. A level of craziness is established from the start that you can’t help but smile at. The colors are beautiful and the chemistry between all the performers is outstanding. I really hope Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar isn’t their last adventure. (Mike Hilty)
Bottoms feels like the perfect Gen Z evolution of the high school comedy in the vein of Clueless and Mean Girls. Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edebiri star as best friends PJ and Josie, respectively, who start a fight club in their high school in the hopes of seducing the school cheerleaders. Whether it be Josie’s hysterical rant about her future husband (“Everybody knows he’s fruity!”) or PJ’s over-the-top escalation of every interaction she has (“Maybe I should buy a gun!”), Bottoms succeeds because of the perfectly unhinged pair at its center. The most absurdly hilarious and hilariously absurd comedy of the last several years, Bottoms still manages to find its heart in the friendship of PJ and Josie before the film’s end. No matter what ridiculous antics the pair find themselves experiencing, they never have to go through it alone. (Foster Harlfinger)
Few relationships portrayed in film are as strongly supportive, unwaveringly loyal, and fiercely protective as that of Idgie Threadgoode (Mary Stuart Masterson) and Ruth Jamison (Mary-Louise Parker) in Fried Green Tomatoes. Tomboy Idgie and prim and proper Ruth initially seem an unlikely pair, but thrust together following the death of Idgie’s older brother (Ruth’s beau, Buddy), they develop a loving friendship that lasts throughout their lifetimes. Idgie’s impulse, wit, bravery, and determination in contrast with Ruth’s calm and serene sensibility combine to form a balanced dynamic, benefiting both women. Together, they are able to break Ruth free from an abusive marriage, open a café in their small southern town, raise Ruth’s son, exonerate Idgie from murder charges, and serve up some of the best barbecue in Alabama. None of these were an easy feat, considering they are women living in 1920’s Alabama, employ and fraternize with a diverse group of townspeople, and neither seem interested in finding a man. The story of their friendship is empowering and the strength of their bond envious. (Patrice Downing)
Chances are that if you’re into movies and you hang out with other people who are into movies, sooner or later you’re going to meet the A24 guy. You may even have this person in your life already. Next time you talk to your local A24 guy, ask them what they thought of Laggies, just for a goof. Keira Knightley plays Megan, a woman pushing 30, who really hasn’t figured her life out yet. When she escapes her life with her boyfriend after a sudden marriage proposal, she ends up in hiding with Annika (Chloë Grace Moretz), a high schooler, and her dad, Craig (Sam Rockwell). Not your typical recipe for A24! Laggies is something of a delayed coming-of-age movie, where Megan and Annika connect over the things that are difficult about growing up, and Megan has to come into her own as the adult in the room as problems start arising. With supporting roles from Kaitlyn Dever, Ellie Kemper, and Jeff Garlin, Laggies sports a great cast for a mostly by the book, but utterly charming story of people finding their place and getting ready to grow up. (Chris Bakker)
Although the title may highlight a different duo, and Stitch is at the forefront of all the marketing, I’ve always found the true heart of Lilo & Stitch to be the relationship between sisters Lilo and Nani. Following the death of their parents, Nani (Tia Carrere), a teenager, must take on the role of sole caregiver for her younger sister, Lilo (Daveigh Chase), and together the two have to take on the challenges of growing up, facing bullies, dealing with tourists, and adopting an alien creature designed to be evil. It isn’t all sunshine and roses, and there is a fair amount of conflict between them, which rings true to anyone who grew up with siblings, but it’s always clear that they deeply love each other, despite all the fighting. Much of the tension comes from Nani trying to convince social worker Cobra Bubbles (Ving Rhames) that she is capable of raising Lilo with the looming threat of her being taken away to a foster home. One of the most emotional moments comes when Nani sings “Aloha ‘Oe” to Lilo as they rock in the hammock. Lilo and Nani’s relationship isn’t perfect, but they are the true epitome of ohana, never leaving one another behind. (Jake Hjort)
Noah Baumbach often has made movies about people who feel lost in one way or another, but my particular favorites are Tracy (Lola Kirke) and Brooke (Greta Gerwig) from Mistress America. Tracy is a college freshman in New York City who is still trying to figure everything out, when she connects with Brooke, a 30-something woman who thrives in city life. Also, they’re about to be stepsisters. Their relationship is fascinating and illuminating, as Tracy thinks Brooke has it all figured out, when in reality, Brooke is just as messed up and lost as everyone else. So pairing the two together creates an interesting game of compare and contrast throughout the movie, until it all comes to a head at the end… (Robert Bouffard)
Is there a more iconic duo of women in film than Thelma and Louise? The film of the same namehas become synonymous with female empowerment and female friendship. Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon light up the screen like no other duo, thanks to their charisma and empathy. As the film goes on, we see their friendship dig deeper and deeper, as they are pushed further into an unexpected life of crime. Their killing in self-defense soon morphs into a spree of crimes, and they take back the control they never had in their lives. Ridley Scott (of all people) captures a homegrown American feel within his story of empowerment. But this is not such a simple tale. Did they go too far? That is one discussion. But what is not up for discussion is how powerful Thelma & Louise is, and how iconic their final ride into the sunset (and off a cliff into the Grand Canyon) can be. (Shane Conto)
Thoroughbreds is one of those movies that I will take any excuse to talk about, as I think it’s sadly both underseen and underrated. So when the topic of female duos came up, it immediately popped into my mind. The film follows a pair of Connecticut suburban teens, Amanda (Olivia Cooke) and Lily (Anya Taylor-Joy), who reconnect after drifting apart. Amanda has trouble connecting with people on an emotional level, while Lily works hard to keep up her prim and proper reputation. A plot hatched for murder takes things in an absolutely zany direction (with help from a drug-dealing Anton Yelchin). It’s a quirky little indie feature centered on an odd couple for sure. However, with two great performances from a pair of young stars and a unique twist on the female duo archetype, it’s a fun black comedy that’s sure to entertain. (Jake Bourgeois)