My Sisters Keeper (Warner Brothers)
Not A Keeper
My Sisters Keeper reemphasizes a truism we should all know by now dont read the book before you see the movie! In most instances the book is going to be better and the movie is going to disappoint. That is certainly true in this case because the novel MY SISTERS KEEPER by Jodi Picoult was head and shoulders above this pathetic attempt to cash in on that story.
The movie seems to be a wallow in misery. Brian and Sara Fitzgerald (Jason Patric and Cameron Diaz) have three children. The oldest is Brian (Evan Ellingson), who is dyslexic; next is Kate (Sofia Vassilieava) who has leukemia; third is Anna (Abigail Breslin) who is the donor child created to give parts and fluids to her ailing sister.
One day Anna appears at the office of Campbell Alexander (Alec Baldwin) and says she wants to sue her parents to be medically emancipated. She doesnt want to give a kidney to her sister yet her parents say she must. Campbell takes the case which pits him against Sara who acts as her own attorney.
The court case should be the central focus of the film but it isnt. Kates illness is. You get back and forth through time in order to see how she and the family have suffered. This leads to confusion about what is happening when. In one scene Sara shaves her head bald and in the next she has a head full of hair again.
There are also musical montages that are supposed to create misty-eyed moments, but they dont. The basic premise of the movie is sad enough without any artificial prods to get more tears from you.
Diaz is amazingly unlikable in her role as the mother. This is one of the most likeable actresses in Hollywood but no warmth shines through here. Patric is totally wasted as Brian. This father is an absentee parent for the most part and is background material even when he is there.
Vassilieava is convincing in her role as the dying girl and Ellingson gives good support. Breslin, well you never buy who she is or what she is trying to do. Baldwin is sincere in his role and Joan Cusack has a few good moments as the judge hearing the case.
The movie is rated PG-13 for profanity and mature situations.
Nick Cassavetes directs the movie with no concept of depth or emotion. The characters are shallow; the situations are contrived; and the ending is a rip off. Why didnt he stick with Picoults ending
Jodi Picoults novel is full of heart and tragedy. The film version skims off the story and places it wafer thin on the screen. It is a movie that makes you feel manipulated, and that is not a good feeling.
I scored My Sisters Keeper a turned loose 5 out of 10.
