Carl Reiner’s Sibling Rivalry, released in theaters on October 26, 1990, is a lively black comedy that gleefully skewers marital frustration and family competition. Starring Kirstie Alley, Bill Pullman, Carrie Fisher, Jami Gertz, Scott Bakula, Sam Elliott, and Ed O’Neill, the film is both a send-up of suburban malaise and an affectionate look at how bad decisions can spark chaos—and unexpected renewal.
Marjorie Turner (Alley) is suffocating under the weight of her unremarkable life and her marriage to Harry (Bakula), compounded by his extended family of overbearing doctors.
Marjorie’s restless younger sister Jeanine (Gertz) encourages her to break out of her rut. Acting on impulse, Marjorie allows herself a grocery-store rendezvous with a stranger, only for him to suddenly die mid-tryst.
That would be complicated enough, but soon she discovers the dead man is none other than Harry’s brother Charles (Elliott), returning after a long absence.
Panic is contagious, and the situation entangles a vertical blinds salesman, Nick (Pullman), who blunders into the hotel room after Marjorie, finds the body, and, through mishap, believes himself responsible.
Together, he and Marjorie stage a clumsy cover-up—complete with suicide notes and pill bottles—that only draws suspicion, from Nick’s bumbling police-chief brother Wilbur (O’Neill) to Harry’s nosy siblings.
Romantic sparks fly as family secrets collide, and the investigation uncovers an autopsy mess, hotel shenanigans, and revelations that force Marjorie to finally confront her marriage and desires.
Reiner stages classic farce, blending slapstick and witty wordplay.
The cast keeps the absurd premise buoyant: Alley balances nervous energy with relatability, Pullman brings charming confusion, and the supporting performers—especially Fisher and Gertz—add sharpness and heart.
As family secrets spill and misunderstandings multiply, the comedy pivots to a reflection on honesty, healing, and the freedom found in embracing imperfection.
Sam Elliott and Kirstie Alley in Sibling Rivalry (Photo/Columbia Pictures)
Reception on Sibling Rivalry
Sibling Rivalry grossed $4 million on its opening weekend, finishing second at the box office.
The film would gross $17.9 million in its theatrical run.
Legacy
Sibling Rivalry met mixed responses on release, praised for its cast, critiqued for erratic tone, but its legacy endures as a cult favorite for those who relish offbeat ensemble comedies.
Reiner’s touch ensures the film never loses its humanity amid the chaos, and Alley’s sympathetic performance anchors it as both farce and gentle self-discovery.
Sibling Rivalry stands as proof that the best laughs—and the best changes—sometimes come from life’s most unexpected disasters.
