Georgia

Sibling rivalry is not only the subject of Robert-Beat-a-Drum-Bly's latest book, it's also at the heart of this incisive drama about singing sisters who followed the beat of different drums. Jennifer Jason Leigh is Sadie Flood, the insecure, self-destructive, marginally talented sister of popular singer Georgia (Mare Winningham). Moving to Seattle near her family-oriented sister, the flighty Sadie joins up with former bandmembers, attracts a boyfriend, and starts playing minor gigs, until her natural self-destructiveness kicks in. Written by Barbara Turner (Leigh's mother), the film was inspired by an idea by Leigh and the life of Oscar-nominated co-star Mare Winningham, a real-life singer-songwriter, and mother of 5 (both actresses sing their own songs in the film). A gritty character study, Leigh plays a little too over the top, but, on balance, this is well worth watching (and hearing). Recommended.