Post by Alice on Dec 7, 2009 23:37:30 GMT -8
This movie does have benefits, specifically a good premise and equally sound acting from its cast. Unfortunately, this movie is hampered by one frustrating, tear-jerking montage after another.
I watched this movie with my two siblings, on my sister's birthday. Being the birthday girl, she chose the movie specifically. Even as the movie opened, it was clear that this would be a decidedly depressing film.
At the flick's midpoint, my brother asked my sister, "Why are we watching this on your birthday?"
My sister shrugged and replied, "Because I'm a girl."
Indeed, my sister has a soft spot for "chick flicks" and sentimental yarns, but I will not hold that against her. I admit that I am mildly prejudiced against dime-a-dozen "chick flicks" and would sooner watch Teeth than Failure to Launch, but nevertheless I am often game for a sad, serious drama. My Sister's Keeper succeeded in making me feel a loss and emptiness inside... but I dare say for the wrong reasons.
A brilliant child actress, Abigail Breslin, stars as Anna Fitzgerald. She was conceived and born mostly for a singular purpose: to be a genetic match for her older sister, who is dying of acute promyelocytic leukemia. (Yes, you might want to grab the Kleenex box right about now.) This dying sister, Kate (played by Sofia Vassilieva, also known as Disney's Eloise!), has gone through years of physical and emotional pain, and her life is (allegedly) depended on a kidney transplant.
Anna and Kate's parents (the mother is played by Cameron Diaz) are at odds; while the father has come to accept the fact that Kate is
Anna, however, seeks an epileptic attorney at law, Campbell Alexander (portrayed by veteran actor Alec Baldwin), to help her sue her parents. Anna vocally yearns for medical emancipation from her parents, because "she has a right to her body." She loves her dying sister very much, she says, but she refuses to live an abnormal life as a result of losing a kidney.
You're probably thinking, "Wow! This Anna girl sounds like an ungrateful [beep]!" But there's more to it than my words indicate. Actually, there's a lot more to this premise than what I'm willing to dish out here. For a cryptic example, what if Anna is hiding a bigger, pressing motive? What if the truth would shatter Sara, and everything she believed in?
This movie does have benefits, specifically a good premise and equally sound acting from its cast. Unfortunately, this movie is hampered by one frustrating, tear-jerking montage after another.
Breslin and Vassilieva are breathtaking in their roles, and the film's most poignant scenes are when the two are alone with the camera. Diaz's character mightt come off as whiny and hateful to some, but one has to understand that she is going through an emotionally draining time that could potentially ruin her living a good life. With this in mind, Diaz is very competent, and displays a surprising sense of drama. Baldwin is more than competent here, and Joan Cusack as a judge deserves serious compliments for her relatively small yet complex role as a woman who seems like a hard-ass in court, but if you question her about her late daughter she is reduced to tears. Powerful.
Unfortunately, I cannot use the term "powerful" much when reviewing My Sister's Keeper. There are movies that try to get you to feel sad, or even cry. There are also movies that practically mug you in a dark alley and spray your eyes with pepper spray, until tears stream down your face. The latter, I'm said to say, applies to this film.
It's not that this movie is bad; it's just frustrating in execution. The premise is great, but someone needs to tell director Nick Cassavetes to hold off on those damn bummer montages. You could make a drinking game with this movie, to take a shot whenever the movie indulges in a morose, forcefully sad montage with an ill-fitting pop song playing in the background, and become totally smashed before the movie enters its third act. But it's not just the montages, either; the movie just doesn't feel like it reaches what it strives to accomplish. Under the wing of a more capable writer (and maybe director), this film could have really said something special. It opens its mouth, and certainly makes a noise, but it's not entirely comprehensible. I liken this movie's faults to an on-stage actor belching loudly in the middle of big soliloquy in "King Lear." It disintegrates much of the intended effect, as well as a good portion of the situation in general.
The last two paragraphs probably makes it sound like I disliked this movie. If this is true, then I apologize now; this is certainly not the case. It is an occasionally frustrating movie and could have been handled better, but My Sister's Keeper is absolutely worth watching, especially if you want to watch good actors, or if you simply want to cry (despite my reservations, this movie succeeded in almost making me shed a tear).
This movie is based on a 2004 novel of the same title, by Jodi Picoult. I can can almost guarantee that I will never read the original novel, but according to a synopsis I read, the book's ending is radically different from the movie's. In my humble opinion, I find the movie's ending to be superior (and more realistic), but I leave the rest of the story for you, if you're interested.
All in all, I don't regret watching this movie, and I enjoyed certain aspects about it. Just don't expect me to freely watch My Sister's Keeper again because I think it's a great movie.
**½ out of ****
I am planning on reviewing Twilight very soon.
... Why do I get the feeling that, despite my harsh criticisms regarding My Sister's Keeper, I will lovingly look back to this movie while watching Twilight?
