There's a definite joy in watching filmmakers grow over the years. This is very much the case with My Sister's Wedding writer/director Kenneth R. Frank, a regular contributor of his cinematic efforts to The Independent Critic and a filmmaker I've had the joy of watching improve as both a writer and a director over the years. 

My Sister's Wedding is an ensemble comedy that picked up the Best Feature Screenplay prize at the Tampa Bay Underground Film Festival and likely qualifies as Frank's best film to date partly because of his own engaging script and partly because of his enjoyable, charismatic cast. 

My Sister's Wedding centers around Allison (Samantha Sayah), whom we meet on the day of her sister's wedding and on the day that she plans to break away from her involvement in the family business. My Sister's Wedding isn't so much a dramedy as a film that will likely land different ways for different people. Frank most definitely leans into the comedy, however, My Sister's Wedding has some seriously poignant moments and surprises with its emotional resonance as Allison's agenda for the day clashes with others who have their own agendas and want Allison to help them get what they want. 

Can Allison take a stand and risk ruining the day and hurting those she does love? 

Or does she just give in and keep the peace?

My Sister's Wedding is a genuinely entertaining and engaging film with Frank's best ensemble to date led by a strong and centered performance by Samantha Sayah as Allison along with fine turns by Lauren A. Kennedy as Tina and Brian Donahue as Al among others. Lensing by Jan Klier is pristine and wonderfully immersive in both the film's comic and more dramatic moments while Shawna Brandle's production design perfectly complements Frank's multi-layered narrative elements. 

Frank's directorial hand is assured here and you can feel his confidence with his material and the way he guides this talented cast that works together quite cohesively throughout. While we've certainly seen similar stories before, Frank nicely brings to life the humor and humanity in his story and the end result is a film that you can't help but enjoy. 

Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic