His Three Daughters

As Vincent, a father grappling with the final stages of his cancer battle, transitions into hospice care at home, his children — Katie, Rachel, and Christina — gather in their childhood apartment nestled in the heart of New York City. While Rachel has been the only child consistently by Vincent’s side during his illness, the atmosphere becomes tense almost immediately. An argument erupts between Katie and Rachel regarding Rachel’s habit of smoking marijuana in the apartment, highlighting Katie’s distress over Rachel’s lack of responsibility, particularly her failure to have Vincent sign a Do Not Resuscitate order when he was still in a clear state of mind.

Despite Rachel’s insistence that their father didn’t mind her smoking, Katie’s frustration escalates when she discovers the fridge is nearly empty, save for three bags of apples—indicative of Rachel’s neglectful approach to the situation. Tensions rise further when Angel, a hospice worker, accompanied by nurse Mirabella, visits to inform the sisters of the erratic nature of Vincent’s condition, stating that he could pass away at any moment.

As pressure mounts, Katie grapples with the daunting task of drafting an obituary for their father while Rachel becomes preoccupied with the idea of sports betting, purposefully avoiding the bedroom where Vincent lies unconscious. Amidst this chaos, the looming matter arises that Rachel will automatically inherit the family’s long-standing rent-controlled apartment upon Vincent’s death, which exacerbates Katie’s worries. Throughout the unfolding drama, Katie suspects Rachel is biding her time, merely waiting for their father’s demise so she can claim the apartment. Their family dynamics seem fragile, with Rachel showing resistance to even entering the bedroom where Vincent is.

The atmosphere shifts slightly with the arrival of Rachel’s boyfriend, Benjy, who vocalizes his frustrations over how Katie and Christina treat Rachel. He admonishes them for their lack of support during this trying time, reminding them that it has been Rachel who has been there for Vincent throughout his decline. Emotional tensions boil over when Benjy highlights a pivotal moment: when Vincent, during his final days of eating, had Rachel there cutting apples for him, solidifying her role as a caregiver in her father’s life.

Katie attempts to reach out to Rachel with an apology, but Rachel, still smarting, rebuffs her sister’s gesture. A fierce confrontation ensues, drawing in Christina who, in a fit of rage, reveals her antagonism towards both sisters, exclaiming that she despises them both. The underlying issues among the sisters begin to surface in this heated moment, yet when Katie considers leaving, Christina’s apology for her outburst serves as a turning point in the fraying bonds. In a moment of vulnerability, Katie apologizes to Rachel, albeit specifically about the fridge situation, leading to a deeper reflection on family and identity when Rachel asserts Vincent is the only father she ever had.

The next day brings a glimmer of hope for reconciliation, as Katie and Rachel share laughs over Angel’s previous inaccurate predictions concerning Vincent’s passing. Their relationship begins to thaw as they come together to work on the obituary for their father. For the first time, Rachel enters Vincent’s room to share some thoughts about her day, solidifying a bond over their shared experiences. In a surprising twist, the three sisters find themselves united in the room where Vincent lingers. In a moment of surprising vitality, Vincent suddenly rises and walks towards his favorite chair, delivering an emotional monologue filled with deep love and reflection for each of his daughters, as well as his appreciation for New York City and the complexities of life and death. However, the poignant scene takes a somber turn as he settles into the chair, only to realize he has passed away.

In the aftermath of Vincent’s death, Katie, Christina, and Rachel take turns seeking comfort in their father’s chair, establishing a temporary connection amidst the grief that envelops them. Christina attempts to lighten the mood with a rendition of “Five Little Ducks,” but it is Rachel who injects her own humor into the song, declaring, “Daddy duck said ‘beep, beep, beep, beeeeeep’,” prompting laughter and reminding them all of the joyful moments they shared with their dad. As the day comes to a close, Katie and Christina prepare to head back to their respective lives, while Rachel, now the owner of the apartment, chooses to carry on her father’s wishes by opting to smoke weed outside, a small act of rebellion against the circumstances, while cherishing the memories of their time together.

Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 15:32