“This isn’t one of Jarmusch’s best films but it is an interesting view of family dynamics. It seems there is more that is unresolved than solved, which is reflected in his approach”
Con Nats
3 Skateboards
Opens 2nd April 2026
Jim Jarmusch returns with another stellar cast and anti-story film. As the title implies, it’s about families.
Father is about a day when Jeff (Adam Driver) and sister Emily (Mayim Bialik) visit their old father (Tom Waits) in his house in forest-side America. He dirties up the house before they arrive. Not much is said. Lies are not told. Nothing much happens. He cleans up the house after they leave and then dresses up to go out. There is more implied than explained.
Mother stars Charlotte Ramping who is an author hosting her annual afternoon tea with her daughters Tim (Cate Blanchett) and Lillith (Vicky Krieps). Not munch is said. Secrets stay hidden. Tim is obviously the less favoured daughter and Lillith is no more than an influencer which she doesn’t explain. Nothing much happens.
Sister and Brother follows twins Skye (Indya Moore) and Billy (Luka Sabat). They visit their recently deceased’s patents apartment in Paris. These two actors have great chemistry and an easy rapport and this is the most enjoyable of the three parts. A lot more is said. Some memories are relived. Nothing much happens.
A lot of these stories feel like improvisation which didn’t quite work. These stories were unresolved and a lot like a Robert Altman film or Raymond Carver story. There is more between the lines than what is said.
Jarmusch likes the distance between characters but the first two stories seemed rather cold. The actors pulled back so much, they felt awkward and wooden. There is little conversation and what is said could be overly descriptive.
It’s hard to care about characters who don’t care about each other and didn’t care about what is happening. With families, it’s hard to make universal statements as each dysfunctional one has its own quirks and flashpoints which were avoided. Family stories usually have band aids ripped off and secrets revealed. Not here. Tom Waits father was abusing his son’s trust. The English daughters weren’t allowed to ask their mother about her best selling novels. The American children missed their parent’s funeral. Doors of potentially dramatic dialogue are slammed shut. Jarmusch wants you to speculate about what’s going on between the lines.
There are clever recurring motifs, such as water, Rolex watches, red clothing, tea or coffee and some skateboarders who appear in slow motion. They may have some symbolic meaning or Jarmusch being clever. Neither made much sense.
The acting is very restrained, which is to be expected. There is lots of silence to play with, but not much is done with it. It makes for a very slow pace.
This isn’t one of Jarmusch’s best films but it is an interesting view of family dynamics. It seems there is more that is unresolved than solved, which is reflected in his approach.
3 Skateboards
Con Nats, On The Screen
