The Sisters Brothers ★★★

FRENCH western The Sisters Brothers doesn’t take a traditional path.

Starring four exceptional actors- Joachim Phoenix, Jake Gyllenhaal, John C. Reilly and Riz Ahmed – it works best as a collection of character studies.

It’s 1850s Oregon and Charlie and Eli Sisters are ruthless assassins working for an overlord named The Commodore.

For years they have completed the dirtiest jobs with precision and enthusiasm, but Eli (Reilly) is starting to waiver as he contemplates a different future.

Charlie (Phoenix) is a binge alcoholic but still loves the danger and their hard-earned reputations.

He tolerates Eli’s bouts of self-doubt while still pushing to get the job done and stay alive.

The Commodore sends the brothers to meet up with another lone assassin, John Morris (Gyllenhaal), who has tracked down a propesctor known as The Chemist (Ahmed).

The Chemist has discovered a unique and highly successful way to find gold by dumping a specific chemical mixture into the water.

This is a film with many parts to admire, particularly the four main characters, but one that doesn’t fully succeed as a whole.

Phoenix and Gyllenhaal are two of the best actors working today and as usual they mine the depths of their characters.

Riz Ahmed continues to build an interesting and varied filmography.

But the stand-out is Reilly who brings pathos, humour and emotional depth to his vulnerable, angst-ridden gunslinger.

That’s two strong performances in a row for Reilly after his portrayal of Oliver Hardy as Stan & Ollie.

The script, by director Jacques Audiard and his regular writing partner Thomas Bidegain, covers a diverse range of subjects and themes, from communism and alchemy to death and retribution.

But what it lacks is a fully satisfying through narrative and cohesive centre.

While at least two of Audiard’s previous films, The Prophet in 2009 and Rust and Bone from 2012, are better, The Sisters Brothers is never boring and frequently surprising.