Jane Campion’s 1988 film SWEETIE initially suggests a romantic comedy with its opening scenes depicting the reserved Kay (Karen Colston) falling for the appealing Louis (Tom Lycos). However, the story takes an unexpected turn when Kay's sister Dawn (Genevieve Lemon), who struggles with mental health issues, arrives. While some darkly humorous moments persist throughout, the film ultimately unfolds as a family tragedy. The sadness lies in the fact that this young woman, known as "Sweetie," is both a casualty of her condition and unintentionally harmful to her family, despite their outward displays of affection and desire for distance. Genevieve Lemon’s performance stands out as particularly noteworthy; it's among the most compelling depictions of mental illness seen on screen since Bergman’s IN A GLASS DARKLY. I find myself appreciating how the circumstances behind this family dynamic are deliberately left unclear with each viewing. Nevertheless, "Sweetie" isn’t a film I would consider one of my top choices—it is certainly well-crafted and sticks in your mind, but it doesn't quite reach the standard for widespread acclaim.

Source on TMDB