Sisters, or The Balance of Happiness (1979)

In the intertwining lives of the sisters Maria and Anna, we witness a dance of dependence and ambition. Maria, a proficient executive secretary, is the picture of success, her life a beacon of stability for her younger sister, Anna. Maria's influence compels Anna to pursue her education, though Anna's spirit struggles against this path, teetering on the edge of surrender with a potent cocktail of pills and introspective diary entries. As Maria's personal and professional life begins to meld with the introduction of Maurice, her boss's son, love blossoms, only to be abruptly uprooted by a selfish act of Anna's that casts Maria into a chasm of loneliness. Her connection with Maurice severed, Maria finds a new bond in the form of Miriam, a fellow office typist. Miriam becomes a stand-in for the sister Maria lost, but Maria's approach to this relationship teeters on the intrusive, her desire to help often crossing boundaries. Can Maria navigate the tumultuous waters of relationships, or will the shadows of her past continue to strangle her spirit? The balance of happiness hangs in the balance as Maria grapples with the aftermath of her sister's choices, her own ambitions, and the pursuit of love.

Sisters, or The Balance of Happiness is a drama movie featuring Jutta Lampe and directed by Margarethe von Trotta.

Sisters, or The Balance of Happiness is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Tubi TV and it's also available on Fandor Amazon Channel.

It is also possible to buy Sisters, or The Balance of Happiness on Amazon Video.