(Released 6/26/09)
If you’re in the mood for a good, long cry, see My Sister’s Keeper. Having read the book, I knew what was in store and came prepared with a box of tissues. I think I cried more than I didn’t. Most people who have read the book loved it. It’s one of those books everyone recommends to each other (well, girls do), which of course makes it difficult for the movie to measure up.
That said… I was, for the most part, very happy with how the movie turned out. It’s been a few years since I read it, so I’m sure there’s a lot I forgot, but there was one thing I couldn’t forget – the ending. And director Nick Cassavetes ruined it. He completely changed the ending and I won’t give it away, but if you read the book, you’ll be pissed. I can’t believe author Jodi Picoult even allowed it. It’s not just a small change, no. It changes the whole plot. I’m so sick of movies that are made to “sell”, like the real ending would have been just too sad for the audience to handle or something. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still sad, but it’s wrong – completely the wrong ending. … I digress.
Still, up until the ending, it’s very good. For those who haven’t read the book, the premise is this: Kate Fitzgerald, player by Sofia Vassilieva, is diagnosed with leukemia at a very young age. No one in the family is a perfect DNA match for Kate to act as a donor, so her parents, Brian and Sara (Jason Patric and Cameron Diaz), decide, under a suggestion by their doctor, to have another baby – a donor baby – made specifically to donate anything from blood to bone marrow in order to keep Kate alive. This donor baby is Anna (Abigail Breslin).
Fast forward 11 years and Anna is now needed to donate one of her kidneys to Kate, who, thanks to her little sister, is still alive. Anna goes behind her parents backs to a big shot lawyer, Campbell Alexander (Alec Baldwin). She convinces him to represent her in suing her parents for medical emancipation and the right to make her own decisions about her body. What ensues is an emotional rollercoaster, with the family taking sides and a battle between Anna, who has been used her whole life, and Kate, who if she doesn’t get the new kidney, will most certainly die.
The standout performances came from Diaz and Vassilieva. Diaz portrays this strong-willed, loving, tough-ass mom who will do anything and everything in her power to keep her daughter alive. She puts on such a front the whole movie. Her breaking point finally happens in a scene with Vassilieva towards the end of the movie. It’s heart-wrenching. Way to go, Cameron. Vassilieva is wonderful. She’s so sick for so much of the movie, bald and throwing up – yet her big, expressive eyes and huge smile light up the room anyway. Her positive outlook on life and family are admirable. I loved her. She’s done mostly TV work prior to My Sister, including a lot of time on Medium, but she does have another movie coming out this year – Hurt.
Alec Baldwin…he’s a funny guy, but he was not right for this movie, a total miscast. His character is supposed to be very witty and definitely a smart-ass, but also very caring, a little sad, and vulnerable. Baldwin is none of the latter.
If you read the book, go enjoy the movie, just know that the ending has been changed. If you haven’t read the book – and you’re a girl – you might love it. If you’re a guy, you probably won’t see this unless some girl makes you… but you might enjoy it, too.
IMDB 7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes 48%
Movie Wiseguys 7/10