Directed by:
Nick CassavetesCinematography:
Caleb DeschanelComposer:
Aaron ZigmanCast:
Abigail Breslin, Sofia Vassilieva, Cameron Diaz, Jason Patric, Evan Ellingson, Alec Baldwin, Heather Wahlquist, Joan Cusack, David Thornton, Thomas Dekker (more)VOD (1)
Plots(1)
Sara and Brian Fitzgerald's life with their young son and their two-year-old daughter, Kate, is forever altered when they learn that Kate has leukemia. The parents' only hope is to conceive another child, specifically intended to save Kate's life. For some, such genetic engineering would raise both moral and ethical questions; for the Fitzgeralds, Sara in particular, there is no choice but to do whatever it takes to keep Kate alive. And what it takes is Anna. Kate and Anna share a bond closer than most sisters: though Kate is older, she relies on her little sister--in fact, her life depends on Anna. Throughout their young lives, the sisters endure various medical procedures and hospital stays--just another part of their close-knit family's otherwise normal life. Sara, a loving wife and mother who left her career as an attorney to care for her daughter, is sometimes lost inside the single-minded caregiver she has become in her efforts to save Kate. Her strong, supportive husband, Brian, is often rendered powerless and passive by his wife's strength and determination. And their only son, Jesse, drifts, at times all but forgotten as Kate and Anna take center stage. Until Anna, now 11, says "no." Seeking medical emancipation, she hires her own lawyer initiating a court case that divides the family and that could leave Kate's rapidly failing body in the hands of fate. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Videos (1)
Reviews (7)
I cried a few times, I admit it. At the same time, I'm ashamed of myself because Monsieur Cassavetes is a downright emotional manipulator. Sorry, but if after 10 minutes of the film the main sufferer shoots off a couple of poorly aimed (on top of everything else!!!) streams of vomit, that makes it a violent, forced, and unnatural plea for the viewer's emotions that I find utterly repugnant. The fact is that the film as a whole is a very respectable piece of craftsmanship, I won't deny that and I’m taking that into account in my overall rating. The acting was pretty good, too; however, my biggest problem was with the hysterical Cameron Diaz. She was just overacting in the most tense moments, which unfortunately cannot be excused. As a whole, the film isn't bad, and it's definitely not crap. It's a well made film with an unfortunately overly tear-jerking script that at certain moments acts as a signal that seems to say "it's going to get really bad now, get your tissues ready, but that's life!"
()
This story of a beautiful family made me cry. At first I felt sorry for Anna, who was actually a victim and was about to start losing her sense of self-importance. It was incredible how "adult" she was about it. Aside from the pain she had to endure in order to give a "piece of herself" to her older sister, at 11 years old she had to understand her mother, who out of fear for one daughter forgot she had two. The moment when the little girl stands in the courtroom and fights against her mother was the saddest moment ever. The role of the mom accurately describes what a loving parent can become when their child suffers. She gradually loses not only her daughter, but her life and her rational thinking. Great cast: Abigail Breslin and Sofia Vassilieva. And I dare say it was Cameron Diaz's best film.
()
I welcome and respect stories with a similar message, but this ambitious kitsch unfortunately didn't grab me by the heart. Cassavetes has a well-written script, where thoughtful time jumps enhance the depth and emotional trail that the central characters' almost existentially fraught relationship leaves behind as the plot progresses, but this shallow humanist is boring as a director – the film not only proceeds and ends in a wholly expected manner, but more importantly seems to hold together only by virtue of the heartfelt performances. Everything else is very professional and moving, but not in that personal, realistic-artistic way as in the case of Lasse Hallstrom, but in a machine-like, self-serving and completely impersonal way. It’s a shame. 65%
()
Totally weepy movie, I was kind of expecting this ending, but that's okay. I kind of envy the siblings their relationship, my sister and I will never have one that nice, but maybe it's generated by the disease, if it hadn't broken out maybe they wouldn't all be so nice to each other... who knows. But there were moments that I didn't love – like a relationship between two sick people, I was just waiting for the grim reaper to come knocking. I was kind of thinking towards the end of the movie: "Die already." And when it happened, I didn't even cry, there were other things I thought were sadder. Somewhat of a weak 4 stars.
()
This film left me with only negative feelings, I haven’t seen anything less likeable for quite some time. My Sister´s Keeper is emotional blackmail in its purest form and I consider it a personal success that it didn’t affect me. In “dead serious” dramas, children should never be more mature than adults, period. The actors and the direction are excellent, though.
()
Ads