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Four sisters, regarded as The Sisters Kardos, live away from their parents in New York. The four sisters share the same father, but two have different mothers. Their parents contracted Covid-19 and they were quarantined in Italy. Not long after that, they passed away. Four of them must face this reality with the addition of the serious health and social threat that threaten the nation.

This movie entails several historical events that threaten the health and security of all Americans. These events should not be forgotten by all of us. The Covid-19 outbreak took millions of lives away. The memories of losing any family member due to Covid-19 are not something that people want to remember back.

The movie also includes the murder of George Floyd incident. It affected all Americans, even the global nation. People took to the streets and protest the incident. Black Lives Matter's campaign commenced and people around the world participated. The protest did not only happen in America, it also happened in other countries. People around the world felt pain, unfairness, and dissatisfaction with this racial issue.

In the movie, even though the Kardos sisters are not involved in this incident, they can feel the unfairness. One of the sisters, Sam (played by actress Gina Gagliano), slowly felt something about the incident and she went to the protest with her cousin. Hence, this movie portrayed and highlighted two of the most significant events that happened in the lives of all Americans during the past years. We can feel the reality of these tragic events when they are portrayed in the movie.

This movie applies a unique approach to understanding the different characters in the movie. Even though the four sisters share the same blood and live together, they have different personalities from each other. The movie shows flashbacks, which is a good way for the audience to have a deeper understanding of the characters, which includes their background and experience. They have particular and different childhoods from each other, which shape their characters and personalities in the future.

We start with the eldest sister, Carolyn (played by actress Gia Galardi). She was able to flashback to the moment when her father met her mother. She was able to see the incident from a third-person perspective. She would want her own mother to not marry her father because they were young and it was a spur-of-the-moment decision for them to get married. However, the reality is fixed. She could not change her past. Thus, she become the eldest sister in the family and took up the responsibility to take care of her younger sisters when both her parents left them. This movie tragically portrayed all the events that the eldest sister would go through, which include her emotions, thoughts, and behaviour. She would need to be selfish sometimes to protect herself and others.

The second sister is Jen (played by actress Searra Sawka). She shares the same mother as Lucy. Jen is normally the family member who is not the spotlight in the family. However, throughout the movie, she also played an important role in taking care of her sisters and becoming the co-lead in the family. She also had her own issues and she did not wish to share them with others as she was afraid that it could be a burden for others. These qualities of the second child in the family are portrayed well in the movie.

The third sister is Sam. Her mother suffered from mental health issues and she was left inside a dumpster until she was found. She constantly felt left out. Her flashback in the movie brought her back to when her father met her mother. She also watched how her mother became mentally disturbed. Sam always felt that she was thrown into the family but in the end, she interacted well with her sisters. The movie portrayed her struggles well in her way of growing up.

The youngest sister is Lucy (played by actress Josie Hull). She had a lively personality and was well taken care of by her older sisters. Moreover, her mother also took care of her very much and would like to brag about her to others. However, Lucy did not wish to shine above her beloved sister. She would like to share the spotlight together with her sisters and would like to live more freely. This movie portrayed the free spirit of the youngest sibling in the family.

The actors in The Sisters Kardos portrayed the realistic lives of the people who face those several tragic events during the outbreak of Covid-19. Gia Galardi played her role well as the eldest sister very well, as she was taking charge of the family. Searra Sawka played a quieter role as the second sister. Gina Gagliano's facial expression as the sister who is not wanted in the family touches the heart of children who feel they are abandoned by the family. Finally, Josie Hull, gives a lively performance.

The Sisters Kardos portrayed the reality faced by all nations around the world. The realities in the movie could lead us to reflect on our experience during the Covid-19 crisis. Even though the subject matter of the movie might not be what you expected, it touches our hearts with the experience we have been through during that difficult moment.

"The Sisters Kardos" is a captivating female-led drama that centers on four sisters, Carolyn (Gia Galardi), Jen (Searra Sawka), Sam (Gina Gagliano), and Lucy (Josie Hull) as they cope with grief. Written and directed by Gabe Rodriguez, the film is a thoughtful bildungsroman set against the backdrop of the coronavirus lockdown in New York City.

The opening sequence is reminiscent of Woody Allen's "Manhattan." A montage of New York City scenery is depicted in black-and-white, while a lullaby of instrumental music plays in the background. The scene evokes a sense of nostalgia and a callback to simpler times. It also establishes Manhattan as a character in its own right.

The film's structure highlights Rodriguez's dexterity as a storyteller. Rodriguez uses close-up shots to capture the emotional tone of the story and draw the audience closer, like they're in the story, rather than bystanders. Each sister's story is told through a unique framing device, which merges into a satisfying cohesion by the end of the movie. Rodriguez creatively employs a variety of camera shots that work effectively with each character's storytelling medium. The use of digital media in storytelling underscores the sisters' Gen Z perspectives, especially in Carolyn and Lucy's arcs.

Eldest sister Carolyn's tough exterior belies her sensitivity, as she uses playwriting to process her identity. Her flashback scenes depict her as a director, commenting on her past choices. Carolyn's sequences read like a play, with stage directions and dialogue that feels true to her character. This device shows the separation Carolyn has from parts of herself, and how she processes trauma.

Jen, the second-oldest sister, feels trapped by the confines of the pandemic and her family. She uses movement to process her feelings. Rodriguez's camera shots focus on close-ups of Jen as she works through her intense, repetitive exercise routine. Alternating these scenes with flashbacks allows the audience to see her attempts to process trauma.

Jen's commentary on her origin story reads like a romantic-comedy film. She notes the romantic banter, exposition, and backstory present in her parents' first meeting. This scene mirrors Jen's romantic meet-cute at the park with her love interest, Cowboy Spencer (Jordan Allen Bell). Jen's flexibility of expression symbolizes the range of ways humans integrate their origin stories into their developing identities.

Rodriguez integrates symbolism into Sam's character arc in a subtle, yet evocative way. Sam often feels left out in her family's dynamic. A large piece of crumpled paper symbolizes Sam's search for identity and purpose. Rodriguez uses a time-lapse sequence as Sam takes the train to find the paper to let the audience sense her impatience and rising curiosity.

Youngest sister Lucy frames the beginning and the end of the narrative. As a budding movie critic with a vlog, her exuberance and humor add lightness to the script. Lucy uses classic film references to structure her inner narrative and make sense of her past. The vlog is a unique framing device, which allows Lucy to address the audience organically. Lucy's tongue-in-cheek captions like, "Her fifth drink of the day" with an arrow pointing to Carolyn give the audience a glimpse into the sisters' relationship. Lucy's method of framing her personal narrative as a film highlights the cinematic allusions in the script.

The work of the ensemble cast in "The Sisters Kardos" is remarkable. Each sister's storytelling device is distinctive, which allows each actress to interpret her character with complexity and individuality. Their multidimensional portrayals bring the characters' flaws and strengths to the forefront. The actresses have powerful chemistry and their performances complement each other. Rodriguez's nonlinear narrative blends their interlocking stories believably.

Rodriguez's storytelling is fresh and distinctly original. Using the COVID-19 pandemic as a setting symbolizes the sisters' disconnection from themselves and each other. It also adds urgency to the film. The sisters' separate character arcs alternate between black-and-white asides, as they move from place to place in Manhattan. This pilgrimage serves as a visual callback to classic black-and-white cinema, providing a stark contrast in tone and atmosphere from the sisters' separate narratives. The Kardos sisters' quest throughout Manhattan also symbolizes their search for identity and their connection as a family unit.

The film has literary elements of classic tales like "Little Women." At the beginning of the film, Sam and Jen are established as foils, much like Louisa May Alcott's Jo and Amy. The characters are often shown holding flowers, much like Alcott's characters. Flowers symbolize the fragility of life, which is a motif in both "The Sisters Kardos" and "Little Women." Like Alcott, Rodriguez integrates thoughtful foreshadowing in ways that are subtle enough to pique the audience's curiosity, but not strong enough to ruin the surprises later in the story. The Kardos sisters' relationship mirrors the beautiful, yet deeply complex relationship of the March sisters in "Little Women."

The innovative cinematography, strong ensemble cast, and multi-layered plot come together for a poignant ending. "The Sisters Kardos" is a skillful example of filmmaking that is both emotionally resonant and memorable.

Gabe Rodriguez's film "The Sisters Kardos" is a poignant family drama that weaves together the stories of four sisters as they confront their past and come to terms with their present in the midst of a global pandemic. The film's strength lies in its ability to combine dramatic tension with moments of levity and humor, creating a compelling narrative that engages the audience throughout its runtime.

At the heart of the film are the four sisters: Carolyn, Jen, Sam, and Lucy. Each of these characters is distinct, with their own unique personalities and backstories. As the film unfolds, we learn about the complex relationships between the sisters and their father, Teddy, who has played a significant role in shaping their lives. Rodriguez skillfully shifts between different timelines, using flashbacks to reveal important details about each character's past.

The film's themes of family, sisterhood, and trauma are skillfully woven into the plot. The sisters' relationships with their father, who had romantic relationships with three different women, have had a profound impact on their lives. The film explores the effects of this on each sister and how they have coped with the trauma it caused. The pandemic adds another layer of complexity, as the sisters must face the challenges of living in a new world while still dealing with their past.

Carolyn, the oldest sister, is a playwright and the head of the family in the absence of their parents, and we see how she struggles to keep the family together while dealing with her own emotional turmoil. Jen, the second sister, is a fitness enthusiast and personal trainer who uses exercise as a way to cope with stress. Sam, the third sister, has a traumatic childhood that still haunts her, and we see how she grapples with anxiety and other issues. Lucy, the youngest, is a free spirit who has carved out her own unique path in life.

Rodriguez deftly explores the complexities of these relationships, showing how even the most loving families can be fraught with tension and conflict. The film's dramatic tension builds as the sisters confront their past and come to terms with their father's death. The discovery of a mysterious box left behind by Teddy serves as a catalyst for the sisters to delve deeper into their family history, leading to a satisfying resolution that ties together the film's various plot threads.

In addition to its dramatic storyline, "The Sisters Kardos" also features moments of levity and humor. Lucy's livestreams provide a refreshing dose of comedy, while the sisters' interactions with each other are filled with witty banter and playful teasing. These moments of humor serve to break up the film's more dramatic moments, preventing the story from becoming too heavy-handed.

The movie also references the Black Lives Matter movement and the death of George Floyd. While the movie makes the choice to not show the actual footage of George Floyd's death, it does show scenes of protests and a song dedicated to him. This adds a level of realism to the story and shows how important it is to address social issues in art. Rodriguez's decision to include this moment in the film is a bold one, as it could potentially be controversial. However, the scene is handled with sensitivity and respect, effectively capturing the emotions of the moment and highlighting the sisters' thoughts and awareness of social justice.

The cinematography is another strong aspect of the film, with each shot carefully crafted to tell a story. The use of flashbacks and cross-cutting techniques to transition between scenes is executed brilliantly, creating a seamless and fluid narrative that keeps the audience engaged throughout. The film's use of symbolism is also noteworthy. For example, the scene where Sam deals with her anxiety using slime is a powerful visual of how she copes with her trauma. The film also makes the city of New York a striking backdrop to tell its story, showcasing the city's beauty and the challenges it faced during the pandemic. The director's attention to detail is evident in every shot, making the film a visual treat.

The Sisters Kardos also features a memorable soundtrack that enhances the overall viewing experience. There are two instances in the film where songs are used to great effect. The first is a moving rendition of a song, titled "Heroes," dedicated to George Floyd, which is a must-hear moment in the film. The second is during the end credits where we see imagery of vintage-style film poster images of the cast accompanied by an original song "New York Has Come Home." The soundtrack for the film complements the themes of the film and leaves a lasting impression on the viewer.

Overall, "The Sisters Kardos" is a compelling family drama that combines drama and humor to create a satisfying cinematic experience. Rodriguez's skillful direction and the strong performances by the film's cast make for a memorable viewing experience. The film's themes of family, identity, and social justice make it a timely and relevant addition to the current cultural landscape.

"The Sisters Kardos" is a movie set in the midst of the covid 19 pandemic in 2020. Revolving around the traumas and mysteries of the kardos family. It's a female driven movie which showcases the interesting dynamic between four sisters dealing with their own traumas and struggles. It's directed by Gabe Rodriguez. Starring Gia Galardi, Searra Sawka, Gina Gagliano and Josie Hull.

"The Sisters Kardos" is a gripping and emotionally charged family drama that explores the complexities of trauma, grief and the power of human connection. With a timely and relevant backdrop of the covid-19 pandemic.

The four Kardos sisters Carolyn, Jen, Sam and the youngest of them all Lucy are essentially living together in their New York apartment, while their parents are in Italy. The pandemic strikes and they are all stuck there. We then get to see the interesting dynamic between the sisters unfold slowly, each of whom has a unique and compelling back story, except for maybe Lucy.

All the sisters are dealing with the trauma left by their abrupt childhoods. Lucy and Jen have the same biological mother, Sophie, but Carolyn and Sam have different mothers.

This messed-up childhood has created an awkward dynamic between the sisters. And being stuck together and getting curveball after curveball of misfortunes thrown at them force them to come out of their shells and really open up.

The film focuses on the traumas and backstories of each sister in a unique way. There are no similarities and the fact that different people react differently to trauma is highlighted, with each of the characters being unique and getting a backstory showing their perspective and view on the legacy their father left behind.

The character building for each of the sisters has been done really well, whether it's the teeny-tiny alcohol issue of Carolyn, slimey anxiety of Sam or the livestreams of Lucy. Every character is refreshing and has their own identity.

One of the most unique and great aspects of this movie personally for me is that the film doesn't shy away from showcasing sensitive topics. Such as mental illness or alcoholism or the racial injustice that happened with George Floyd.

Heavy topics such as these could always become a point of criticism and could always rub people in the wrong way, but in my opinion the film does a great job of showcasing these aspects with honesty and sensitivity.

Which brings me to the acting department, One of the most impressive aspects of "The Sisters Kardos" is the expertly crafted characters and outstanding performances from Gia, Searra, Gina and Josie

Each of the main cast stuck to their character through every scene of the movie and was able to showcase the unique nuances of each Kardos sister.

I especially loved how Gina Gagliano played the role of Sam , an anxious and traumatized girl. And as someone who has dealt with anxiety myself, the way she was able to express that is really commendable.

Not only the main cast but the supporting cast were strong as well, especially Mark Epperson(Teddy - the father) and Eve Austin (Sophie - the mother). All in all I have zero complaints from the acting cast of the film.

And to handle so many interesting and unique characters, to not let everything be a jumble and overwhelming, the direction of the movie needs to be spot on, and It's clear that the writer and the director of "The Sisters Kardos", Gabe Rodriguez has a strong ability to handle complex and sensitive subject matter with grace and authenticity.

The film's portrayal of family trauma, grief and personal struggles is both moving and relatable. The director's decision to weave the covid-19 pandemic into the narrative is particularly effective as it highlights the loss and upheaval all of us felt. It helps in grounding the film in a contemporary context, Mr. Rodriguez has created a story that audiences will undoubtedly connect with.

Additionally, the director's choice of putting a younger character such as Lucy as the narrator provides a fresh and unique perspective on the story, allowing for a balance of introspection and levity.

The film's visuals are also stunning, the thoughtful cinematography that captures the subtle emotional shifts and dynamics between the different timelines. Especially when the film switches across timelines, the use of different visual effects adds an element of excitement. Overall, the cinematography, except for some scenes where the shots seemed a bit too long, was a delight to watch.

The soundtrack of the movie was also good and it was successfully able to support and enhance the mood the film was trying to set. The end-credits sequence gets a song titled "New York Has Come Home" performed by Katie North which is great as well.

Overall, "The Sisters Kardos" is a well crafted and thought provoking movie, which is sure to leave you thinking about your past traumas and your family. The film is a testament to the power of human connection and the importance of healing from one's past trauma. This movie doesn't lose its grip at any point. It is a must watch for people who have dealt with trauma in their life.