Sweetie main backdrop
Sweetie main poster

6.1/10 • 100

1989-09-281h 40m

DramaComedy

There will not be a more extraordinary film than “Sweetie” in a long long time!

The buttoned-down, superstitious Kay is attempting to lead a normal existence with her new boyfriend Louis. That’s until Sweetie, her rampaging, devil-may-care sister, returns home after an absence, exposing the rotten roots of their family and placing a strain on Kay and Louis’ relationship.

Directors
Jane Campion
Editors
Veronika Jenet

Top Billed Cast

View Credits
  1. Geneviève Lemon

    Geneviève Lemon

    Dawn 'Sweetie'

  2. Karen Colston

    Karen Colston

    Kay

  3. Tom Lycos

    Tom Lycos

    Louis

  4. Jon Darling

    Jon Darling

    Gordon

  5. Dorothy Barry

    Dorothy Barry

    Flo

  6. Andre Pataczek

    Andre Pataczek

    Clayton

  7. Michael Lake

    Michael Lake

    Bob

  8. Jean Hadgraft

    Jean Hadgraft

    Mrs. Schneller

  9. Paul Livingston

    Paul Livingston

    Teddy Schneller

Reviews2

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CRCulver Avatar

CRCulver

Sep 1, 2018

6/10

When it starts off with the eccentric and shy Kay (Karen Colston) falling in love with the handsome Louis (Tom Lycos), Jane Campion's 1988 film SWEETIE promises a romantic comedy. When Kay's mentally ill sister Dawn (Genevieve Lemon) drops in, the film develops in a very different direction. Some element of comedy, very black humour, remains but overall the film is a family tragedy. The tragedy is that this disturbed young woman nicknamed "Sweetie" is simultaneously a victim of her own illness and an unwilling aggressor against her family, who feign love and acceptance but clearly would like to do without her. The strongest aspect of the film is Lemon's performance, one of the best screen portrayals of mental illness since Bergman's IN A GLASS DARKLY. Something I appreciate more on repeat viewing is that the background to this family drama is left ambiguous. That said, I would not list "Sweetie" among my favourite films: it is overall well-made and memorable but not quite at the level of effusive praise.

Media

  • Sweetie poster
  • Sweetie poster
  • Sweetie poster
  • Sweetie poster
  • Sweetie poster

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
--
Revenue
--
Keywords
sibling relationshiptree housedysfunctional familywoman directorfavorite sibling