Review: The Panti Sisters

Release date: September 20, 2019 (USA)
Running time: 108 minutes
Starring: Paolo Ballesteros, Martin del Rosario, Christian Bables

The Panti Sisters tells the tale of three gay, cross dressing sons who are called back to their estranged and terminally ill father's house.  Their father tells them that in order to get their very large inheritances, they must stop dressing like women, act like "men," and give him a grandson.  Each son that completes this task will be given a share of the inheritance, if no sons do it, then they will get nothing.  Despite these sisters being biological brothers, there is no love lost between them due to past drama, and the sisters go to hilarious and sometimes sad lengths to attempt to complete this task. 

The Panti Sisters is driven by the amazing performances of the three main stars.  Each of the sisters is slightly different in how they portray themselves, and their interactions are very entertaining.  The past drama within the family is slowly explored as you get deeper in the story, and this drama provides a rich backdrop for some inter family squabbles.  But thankfully, the film is more than a simple money grab story; it explores some deeper, darker issues albeit in a generally funny way.  The film touches on inequality in the Philippines, homophobia, and nontraditional family dynamics during this crazy pursuit.  Sometimes it does so tactfully and other times it is a little too blunt in its points; but I was glad to see that the film had something below the flamboyant and hilarious surface.

However, one problem with the film is the ending.  In what appears to be an attempt to wrap up all the loose ends from the movie, the end feels too cookie cutter for what was a uniquely fun experience.  Events happen that seem too convenient and that go against what we have been seeing for the entire film.  But, those minor points aside, what you get with the Panti Sisters is a wonderfully unique movie about an odd, but interesting family.  

The Panti Sisters is a hilarious film that has plenty of important messages below its flamboyant skin.  It is something that is so wonderfully different and heartfelt that it should not be missed.  

Watch it