AMB Reviews

My Sister's Keeper: 8.5/10 Stars

Release Date: June 26, 2009

Content Advisory: Rated PG-13 for mature thematic content, some disturbing images, sensuality, language and brief teen drinking. The movie revolves around a girl made only to help save her sister dying of cancer. One f-word. A teen is briefly seen drinking beer and taking a large amount of unprescribed pills. A couple is seen in bed and her bare backside is visible. A dying girl vomits blood and loses her hair. Her head also begins to cover with bruises.

Review:

"My Sister's Keeper" made me want to cry after just watching the trailer. That being said, let's just say that I kept a package of Kleenex with me in my pocket...

In Short:

Cameron Diaz and Abigail Breslin turn in solid performances for this weepie drama about a girl genetically engineered to save her sister dying of cancer. The film lays down an intricate and delicate plot that is realistic and sure to make your eyes water at the least. The acting was fabulous while the pacing and flow of the film worked together well to create a dramatic and very lovely film. It wasn't perfect, but it all just seemed to click together like a jigsaw puzzle. Definitely worth at least one viewing, whether it be on the big or small screen. It's sure to provoke some thinking.

In Full:

"My Sister's Keeper" stars Abigail Breslin and Cameron Diaz as Sara and Anna Fitzgerald. Anna is an 11-year-old girl who was genetically engineered before birth so that she could save Kate, her older sister dying of cancer. But now, Anna is saying no. Seeking medical emancipation, she hires a laywer to sue her parents so that she will no longer be forced to give Kate her body parts. This of course, angers Sara the most, who left her job as an attorney to help care for Kate. Will Anna's daring act divide the family even farther apart or bring them closer together? The movie itself had a good flow and pacing. It started off right away and didn't let up until the end. It was hard to watch at times, but it was worth it all in the end.

The acting is where this film really excels. Cameron Diaz is notorious for starring in so many other bombs of films ("What Happens In Vegas," anyone?) but here, she dramatically plays a mother determined to save her daughter at whatever the cost. She is very stubborn and strong-willed, and though I had my doubts about Diaz for this part, they were washed away by the end credits. Academy Award nominee Abigail Breslin also stars as Anna, and gives a heartfelt and passionate performance. Jason Patric and Joan Cusack also join in the supporting cast, and handle what they are given to work with very well; Cusack especially.

Though I haven't the faintest idea of where this movie was filmed, the backdrop fit the movie perfectly. While watching it, you feel just a calm sense of peace, even as you know that you may start sobbing again in the next scene. The movie keeps you guessing, and even though some may be able to predict the ending, the reasons for it being that way still prove tricky to guess. From the intriguing opening credits, to the final and very touching scene, "My Sister's Keeper" tries to tug on your heart strings as many times as possible.

Unfortunately, you could tell that they were trying a bit too hard. A sad movie should make you want to cry simply because of the way the story unfolds and because of how well you know the characters. You shouldn't be able to tell that the filmmakers were trying extra hard to provoke tears in a certain scene. Though I felt like I knew the characters, I never really felt a strong connection with them. So... on several of the scenes meant to make you cry, though I did find myself trying to choke in a sob, it wasn't due to the deep connection with the characters or the emotionally charged storyline. Rather, I just knew that the director was trying to make it a "weepie" scene and the tears just came.

All of that being said, you can see that you'll want some Kleenex with you when you enter the theater. I went with a friend who rarely ever cries in films, so I felt out of place being the only one to cry. The story is original and very beautiful, while the acting is even better. The movie itself just had the right pacing, the right flow, the right setting... it all seemed to work perfectly together. However, it is worth noting that many of the scenes are very obvious on how hard the filmmakers were trying to make the audience weep. And it worked. Unfortunately, it worked for many of the wrong reasons. Fortunately for them, the pros overshadow the cons in this heartfelt and touching weepie.