Jack Goes Confidential: Bill Hader Delivers Breakout Performance Opposite Kristen Wiig

It’s always a thrill to see a breakout performance by a new actor…

The last time that happened for me was Jennifer Lawrence in 2010’s WINTER’S BONE. Well, it happened again in a small movie called THE SKELETON TWINS!

Not  that the film’s male lead is a new face to television or the movies. Not by a long shot. He’s longtime Saturday Night Live comedy star Bill Hader, who had transitioned recently to the big screen.

However in his new Dramedy, THE SKELETON TWINS – opening today in limited runs, Hader proves beyond a doubt that there’s far more to this gifted performer than had previously been displayed.

Opposite Kristen Wiig in two knockout performances, these two estranged, dysfunctional siblings are forced to confront why their lives went so wrong.

And while trying to reconnect, they come to realize that the key to fixing their lives may lie in repairing their relationship.

Although Hader and Wiig steal the show, a tip of the this reviewer’s pen also to Luke Wilson as Wiig’s down-to-earth husband who has no clue of the depth of depression both his wife and brother in law have sunken to.

Complicated situations abound.

Especially when mom (Joanna Gleason) suddenly pops up and only worsens an already fragile triangle.

“Stop trying. There are worse things than being a shitty mother.”

So it goes in this terrific character play which is often times not that easy to watch.

Sure there are amusing scenes and situations, but don’t think for one moment that just because we’ve got Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig headlining that you’re in for an evening of laughter.

What we get instead is perfect acting chemistry—and possible Oscar nominations.

Welcome home, this isn’t Martha Stewart’s wonderland.

This is THE SKELETON TWINS scoring an A-.

(Reviewed at Glenwood Arts Theatre, Overland Park)

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