My Sister's Keeper (C or 2/4 stars)
If ever there were a movie to bring some tissues to, it would be this one. Trust me. 'My Sister's Keeper', directed by Nick Cassavetes (The Notebook), begins by introducing us to 11 yr. old Anna (Abigail Breslin); declaring that she does not want to donate a kidney to her older, lymphoma-stricken sister, Kate (Sofia Vassilieva). And she asks lawyer Campbell Alexander (Alec Baldwin) to take her case; to get medically emancipated from her parents, Sara & Brian (Cameron Diaz, Jason Patric). You see, Anna was conceived via in-vitro fertilization to be a genetic match for the sole purpose of one day saving her older sister. And after yrs. of donating marrow, she's tired of being poked & prodded by doctors. She wants to have an identity of her own; to have a shot at a normal 11 yr. old life; separate from her ailing sister. Who could really blame her?
The idea of giving her kidney to Kate is terrifying. There's danger in both surgeries. Anna may not be able to cheerlead or play soccer or do whatever it is that other girls her age think about doing. The inherent problem with this whole situation is that her mom, Sara (Diaz), is so blinded by her devotion & commitment to save Kate, that she resents her youngest daughter's feelings. That's not to say she hates Anna; she loves her. She just can't believe what's suddenly going on in her household. This family's world is being torn apart. And to make matters worse (or more awkward), Anna's aunt, father (Patric), & brother (Evan Ellingson) kind of side with her. They understand. It's just Sara who's confused, hurt, & angry. Everything culminates in a fairly predictable twist ending.
The strength of 'My Sister's Keeper' is in its gentle handling of the cancer topic, & some stand-out performances. The format of the story is told in a flurry of flashbacks & voice-overs. Using these techniques, we learn bits & pieces of each character: how Kate's disease was diagnosed, why Anna exists today, the family's inner-most thoughts, how the illness effects them individually, how the court battle effects them, etc. I enjoyed each low-key outlook, but found the characterization of Anna & Kate's brother to be vague/glossed over. Cameron Diaz has shown some depth in dramatic performances in the past, but we all know she leans towards more comedic roles. She takes on this very one-note, but heart-wrenching role of the conflicted mother and does very, very well with it. Jason Patric is perfect as the solid rock that the family needs at its' center. Abigail Breslin is stellar as Anna. Her sisterly bond with Kate is palpable.
Sofia Vassilieva (of Medium) is radiant as the sympathetic Kate. What she has to endure is incredible. And whenever she's not throwing up blood or reacting violently to the effects of her illness, she drudges on; trying to find the positives in life amid the misery. I really liked a mid-movie relationship she kindles with a fellow cancer patient (Thomas Dekker), as well. And Joan Cusack (who we already know can be hysterical) lends a small, but dramatically powerful performance as the judge overseeing the case. Having recently lost her own daughter, a wellspring of emotion lies behind her weary eyes. She sees 2 beautiful girls in front of her and knows the pain that's destined to strike this family no matter what the outcome of the case is.
All this said, 'My Sister's Keeper' is one Hell of a manipulative movie. Sure, it may be well-meaning, dignified & contemplative. But there's no possible way to 'enjoy' it. And from the 1st morbid, heavy-handed minute to the last, the film throws your emotions into overdrive. Cancer-stricken child: check. Self-destructive family members: check. Gooey cinematography: check. Sad, sappy music: check. Lovey-dovey family montages: check. Melodramatic yelling/crying: check. Artificial humor/joy: check. Backyard bubble blowing, pretty flowers, scrapbooking, slow-motion beach scenes ... check, check, check, check!!!! I also feel that while the director captures the essence of these characters, the book from which it's adapted has to be more naturally moving/involving on paper than as demonstrated onscreen. The script has insight. I praise the acting. And I understand that this film will be affecting to many people. It's just a difficult film to get through. I felt spent. And I wasn't wild about the way my emotions were brought about.
The idea of giving her kidney to Kate is terrifying. There's danger in both surgeries. Anna may not be able to cheerlead or play soccer or do whatever it is that other girls her age think about doing. The inherent problem with this whole situation is that her mom, Sara (Diaz), is so blinded by her devotion & commitment to save Kate, that she resents her youngest daughter's feelings. That's not to say she hates Anna; she loves her. She just can't believe what's suddenly going on in her household. This family's world is being torn apart. And to make matters worse (or more awkward), Anna's aunt, father (Patric), & brother (Evan Ellingson) kind of side with her. They understand. It's just Sara who's confused, hurt, & angry. Everything culminates in a fairly predictable twist ending.
The strength of 'My Sister's Keeper' is in its gentle handling of the cancer topic, & some stand-out performances. The format of the story is told in a flurry of flashbacks & voice-overs. Using these techniques, we learn bits & pieces of each character: how Kate's disease was diagnosed, why Anna exists today, the family's inner-most thoughts, how the illness effects them individually, how the court battle effects them, etc. I enjoyed each low-key outlook, but found the characterization of Anna & Kate's brother to be vague/glossed over. Cameron Diaz has shown some depth in dramatic performances in the past, but we all know she leans towards more comedic roles. She takes on this very one-note, but heart-wrenching role of the conflicted mother and does very, very well with it. Jason Patric is perfect as the solid rock that the family needs at its' center. Abigail Breslin is stellar as Anna. Her sisterly bond with Kate is palpable.
Sofia Vassilieva (of Medium) is radiant as the sympathetic Kate. What she has to endure is incredible. And whenever she's not throwing up blood or reacting violently to the effects of her illness, she drudges on; trying to find the positives in life amid the misery. I really liked a mid-movie relationship she kindles with a fellow cancer patient (Thomas Dekker), as well. And Joan Cusack (who we already know can be hysterical) lends a small, but dramatically powerful performance as the judge overseeing the case. Having recently lost her own daughter, a wellspring of emotion lies behind her weary eyes. She sees 2 beautiful girls in front of her and knows the pain that's destined to strike this family no matter what the outcome of the case is.
All this said, 'My Sister's Keeper' is one Hell of a manipulative movie. Sure, it may be well-meaning, dignified & contemplative. But there's no possible way to 'enjoy' it. And from the 1st morbid, heavy-handed minute to the last, the film throws your emotions into overdrive. Cancer-stricken child: check. Self-destructive family members: check. Gooey cinematography: check. Sad, sappy music: check. Lovey-dovey family montages: check. Melodramatic yelling/crying: check. Artificial humor/joy: check. Backyard bubble blowing, pretty flowers, scrapbooking, slow-motion beach scenes ... check, check, check, check!!!! I also feel that while the director captures the essence of these characters, the book from which it's adapted has to be more naturally moving/involving on paper than as demonstrated onscreen. The script has insight. I praise the acting. And I understand that this film will be affecting to many people. It's just a difficult film to get through. I felt spent. And I wasn't wild about the way my emotions were brought about.