Criminal Insanity: Categorizing Beauty?

This somewhat under-appreciated treatise on the delicate balance of the feminine mystique and the human mind nicely presents the under-valued talent of actress Margot Kidder who does a terrific job in portraying the complete double-sidedness of separated twins (Danielle and Dominique) who seem 'connected' by metaphysics but 'divided' by ethics.

Danielle is the more level-headed (and kinder) sister, trying to rein in her more insane (and evil ) sister Dominique's intolerable cruelty and unpredictable criminality (and murderous instincts).

What is really poignant about this crafty psychological crime-voyeurism thriller is that it invites movie audiences (interested in the pure drama of crime) to ask the question, "Which sister do real-life female twins identify with more strongly?" This question sticks in the mind, since "Sisters" [1972] suggests that to 'tackle' the evil 'tangled' in the 'fragile' human (male OR female) mind, you must concede the notion that some real-life sisters would want to identify with BOTH Danielle and Dominique.

So if you know real-life female twins, you might *discover* fondly after viewing "Sisters" [1972] that part of the 'intellectual mystery' associated with the 'evaluation' of criminal insanity is the 'natural ambiguity' associated with 'assignment of guilt.' Since Danielle and Dominique are both women, we are naturally drawn to make ironically counter-intuitive statements such as, "I'm sure BOTH sisters are good"; OR, "I'm sure BOTH sisters are evil".

It's almost as if the conclusion we reap is that Danielle and Dominique are truly inseparable. Isn't that the nature of empathy required for the righteous treatment of criminal insanity?



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DANIELLE: Everyone thinks I'm more boring than you.
DOMINIQUE: Perhaps, but they also think you're wiser than me.
DANIELLE: That's because wisdom is defined by safety.
DOMINIQUE: Sometimes safety is simply more desirable than excitement.
DANIELLE: A real man would suggest that you and I are inseparable.
DOMINIQUE: Men naturally seek to dissect women.
DANIELLE: Would you want people to mistake me for you?
DOMINIQUE: Only because I love you.
DANIELLE: And I love you; perhaps that is our 'secret' blessing!
DOMINIQUE: It's also our 'civilized' curse!

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