The Sisters Brothers is a dusty and beautiful western but with fewer cliches

ELI (John C Reilly) and Charlie (Joaquin Phoenix) are The Sisters Brothers, a pair of cowboy hitmen sent to kill Hermann Kermit Warm (Riz Ahmed) who has developed a chemical that makes gold prospecting an absolute doddle and game changer.

He’s already being targeted by private detective John Morris (Jake Gylenhaal) so a chase is on.

1

Part road movie, part traditional western but mostly a story of not being able to choose your family, this fleshes out the popular Patrick deWitt book efficiently. The ensemble cast is just about as good as it gets, so revel in seeing them all on screen together - in particular the paring of Reilly (who bought the rights to the book) and Phoenix (a treat seeing him in such a mainstream film).

Eli’s reluctant and regretful killer vs his brother’s drunken carelessness offer us the emotional hook - which whilst never really realising it’s full potential (the ending is areal damp squib), does enough to keep you interested.

A more thoughtful Western than we’re used to - still looking dusty and beautiful, but with fewer cliches and not much real resolution, which won’t be to everyone’s taste - but I enjoyed my time with it.

most read in film

SHE'S ERIV-ED

A look at the fabulous life of Broadway star Cynthia Erivo

NO MORE BLUES

What we know about Duncan James' boyfriend Rodrigo Reis

SCREEN GODDESS

A look at the best Salma Hayek movies - from Frida to Grown Ups

ANIMAL MAGIC

The tragic true story of Hagrid’s dog Fang - who was abandoned by cruel owner

The Sisters Brothers (15)

★★★☆☆