Father Mother Sister Brother (2025) review

This three-part film from Jarmusch focuses on family dynamics in three different locations (New Jersey, Dublin and Paris): in "Father," Jeff (Adam Driver) and his sister Emily (Mayim Bialik) visit their widowed dad (Tom Waits) and feel pity for him (even though he's doing better than they think), for "Mother," sisters Timothea (Cate Blanchett) and Lilith (Vicky Krieps) have tea with their mom (Charlotte Rampling) and share with her some aspects of how their lives are going and in "Sister Brother," fraternal twins Billy (Luka Sabbat) and Skye (Indya Moore) sneak into their late parents' apartment (the two of them died in a plane crash in the Azores) to reminisce, but only after scoring mushrooms and stopping for a coffee.  There are recurring elements in each segment in an attempt to "bind" the pieces together - overhead shots, skateboarders (representing the carefree nature of youth), luxury watches, etc. - although the primary takeaway, that aging parents are a burden when alive but deeply missed once they're no longer around, isn't exactly a landmark declaration.  Those who have been following the career of the American auteur might be wondering where the pitch-black humor is, because all that's left are uncomfortable conversations and rank sentimentality.