My Sister’s Keeper

Filed Under: Film, Reviews | Article Tags : DVD review

By: Denis Blot

DVD Features Video: 2.35:1 Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 Additional Scenes Theatrical release: 6/26/2009 DVD released on 11/17/2009 by New Line Home Entertainment Running time of 110 minutes Starring: Cameron Diaz, Abigail Breslin Director: Nick Cassavetes Plot: In Los Angeles, the eleven year old Anna Fitzgerald seeks the successful lawyer Campbell Alexander trying to hire him to earn medical emancipation from her mother Sara that wants Anna to donate her kidney to her sister. She tells the lawyer the story of her family after the discovery that her older sister Kate has had leukemia; how she was conceived by in vitro fertilization to become a donor; and the medical procedures she has been submitted since she was five years old to donate to her sister. Campbell accepts to work pro bono and the obsessed Sara decides to go to court to force Anna to help her sister

My Sister’s Keeper has every element that makes for a good “weepy”; a daughter with a life threatening disease, a mother who sacrifices all for her daughter, and a family both torn apart and brought together because of the disease, so if you are in the mood to shed a few tears look no further. Unfortunately for those looking for a great drama they should look elsewhere as My Sister’s Keeper is plagued by several weaknesses.

The film begins with Abigail Breslin, speaking in voice-over, expressing in a somber matter-of-fact way that she was created solely for the purpose of helping her sick sister. While the use of voice-over is effective for the opening, it quickly becomes an unnecessary prevalent aspect of the film, which may leave the viewer wondering if it would not have been better simply getting Jodi Picoult’s book on tape.

The film also has several characters that while undoubtedly were well developed in the book, here are sacrificed for the trifecta of mother and two daughters. One is simply allotted glimpses at the lives of the brother as an at risk youth, a lawyer who suffers from epilepsy, and a judge in mourning, and yet their moments on the screen leave the impression that theirs is a story that deserves to be told.

Regarding the acting, most every actor has at least one scene where their thespian work is commendable but overall for the film it falls flat on delivery. Perhaps a bit of improvisational acting might have helped conjure realistic emotive dialogue between mother and daughter and sister to sister. As it stands, however, the film is filled with emotional outbursts (both sad and enthusiastic) that come across in soap-operatic form.

The DVD comes with sparse offerings; a widescreen and fullscreen version of the film, as well as fifteen minutes of deleted and extended scenes. The additional scenes do add some substance to some of the under developed characters, though none offering anything unexpected. It is unfortunate that a documentary about childhood Leukemia, or even interviews with the cast about the subject matter was not included.

As an attempt at counter-programming My Sister’s Keeper was released during the summer blockbuster period to limited fanfare, surely allergy sufferers were pleased that at least after seeing the film they could forgo the necessary eye drops for the dry and itchy eyes. If you are looking for a cry-fest you should rent the film, but for those looking for a solid drama should only borrow the film and keep their fingers crossed that it suits them.

Reviewer’s Opinion: BORROW IT!!