Directed by Nick Cassavetes, and based on the national best selling novel by acclaimed author, Jodi Picoult, My Sister’s Keeper is a heart wrenching movie which portrays the true nature of human emotions, the length to which one can go to protect ones family, the unconditional loyalty and the denial of human nature against the inevitability of death. Starring Cameron Diaz, Abigail Breslin, Sofia Vassiliveva, and Alec Baldwin, Jason patric.
Taking a deeper look into the story line we are grabbed instantly by the riveting opening lines of eleven year old Anna Fitzgerald (Abigail Breslin) who tells the story of the struggle of her older sister Kate (Sofia Vassiliveva) against promyelocytic leukemia and her part in giving her sister the unconditional devotion which defines the true bond of sister hood. Conceived by the means of in vitro fertilization anna was brought into the world by a genetic match for her sister to survive the cancer. After eleven years of having her genetically matched parts donated to Kate through countless medical procedures, Anna seeks medical emancipation and the rights to her own body from her mother Sara Fitzgerald (Cameron Diaz) and Brian Alexander (Jason Patric) who after Kate’s renal failure expect Anna to donate her kidney to her sister. This seems like a final straw to Anna after being unable to live the life she wants, in and out of the hospital constantly, she cannot take part in extra- curricular activities or soccer and so she decides to sue her parents and seeks the successful lawyer Campbell Alexander (Alec Baldwin) who agrees to work for her pro bono. The film is filled with strong flashbacks that detail the strong relationship between Anna and Kate and how her illness has affected the lives of her family.
Sara who is not ready to give up her daughter Kate so easily decides to go to court to force Anna to donate. However before the result of the case is known its is found that Kate had asked Anna to file for medical emancipation because she knew her mother would not let go so easily believing she would not survive the surgery, Kate wants to die. She can see the internal fight that is raging within her mother and that there would be no other way for her to make her mother see that she has accepted her fate and that the life that she has lived however short it may be has been blessed with moments that have given her life meaning, the sacrifices that have been made by her family members, the love and the loyalty of her brother and sister and the irrevocable bond that ties a family together is portrayed in such a profound and honest way that you cannot help but shed a few tears at the poignant way in which the roles have been played drawing the audience into an emotional state.
Anna wins the case and due to her sister’s wishes, does not donate her kidney. Kate passes away in the hospital and the family moves on with there lives being changed irrevocably by the Kate’s death. But every year on Kate’s birthday they go to Montana
The performances of the actors are no doubt commendable, Oscar nominated Abigail Breslin offers a deeply impressive and effortless performance. This twelve year old actress grasps the audience in her tirade of emotional conflicts, making you truly feel for her. Also Cameron Diaz has presented her role in such a way that one feels the conviction of her character, the depth of a mother’s pain is shown with such vitality and sacrifices that have to be made with motherhood, although Diaz is known to do her bit in over-acting she has shown some surprisingly honest moments in the film.
While the novel and the film end differently the ending of the film seems appropriate to gain public recognition, however all those who have read the book will feel the movie is a great let down as many parts and the true grasp of the depth has not been portrayed but this has to be kept in mind that it is after all a two hour movie and not all can be shown. All in all it is well worth the money spent on the DVD or on the ticket in a cinema hall however for those who’ve read the book, the movie will definitely fall short of your expectations.
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