My Sister's Keeper - 4 out of 4 Stars

Who Would Love This Movie: People who can appreciate the beauty of every day tragedy, people who could handle the sadness of Marley and Me because it represented true life

Best Mood to Walk In With: Contemplative, low key

Don't See This Movie If: You don't like crying


This movie is not for everyone. Do not be fooled by my 4 stars into thinking this movie caters to all audiences. Just like many Academy Award nominated films are lovely pieces of artistry but not very mainstream, My Sister's Keeper has a select audience it can appeal to. However, the film's goal is not only met, but exceeds expectations with a tenderness and beauty that is rarely captured in contemporary movies.

It's important to note, however, that I am speaking of My Sister's Keeper only as a movie and have not read the book. I have heard that the ending is drastically different, so readers of the novel may want to keep that in mind as they make movie attending decisions.

Although I compared My Sister's Keeper a little to Marley and Me above, this movie actually reminds me a lot of Gone With The Wind. Although there are seemingly no similarities at the surface, both movies are about destruction, difficulty, and accepting the sad realities of the world along with the triumphs. Although it is not fun to watch a romance where the couple do not end up together in the end, Gone With The Wind is a movie that audiences love and that has transcended time due to the realism of the characters. Although you can't identify with every character at every moment in My Sister's Keeper, you can understand their decisions and perspectives. Even the supporting roles have a backstory and these help you more intimately identify with, not only the characters, but the entire story. And because of that, you fall in love with the characters, empathize with them, and if you're like me become completely caught up in their situation.

This intimacy created in the movie can be partly credited to Jeremy Leven and Nick Cassavetes, the screenwriters. I have no doubt that this movie will be nominated for best adapted screenplay. However, equal credit is also due to the amazing acting across the board. It is rare that a movie perfectly casts every character, but the casting director for this movie deserves a big bonus. Although Cameron Diaz does a wonderful job as the mother and has come a long way from movies like The Mask and There's Something About Mary, Abigail Breslin steals the show. This young lady has previously charmed us (and the Academy!) in Little Miss Sunshine, but I was blown away by how much she has matured as an actress in such a short period of time. She and Sofia Vassilieva have incredible chemistry together and portray the epitome of sisterly love. Jason Patric also gives a very solid performance, and Alec Baldwin's cameo is equally commendable. However, of the supporting cast, I especially loved Joan Cusack. Though I like Cusack in her traditional role of sassy mom/sister/aunt/friend, I am very glad she chose a role with a more expansive array of emotions to showcase her enormous talent.

With such a phenomenal script and cast, it would be easy to forget the importance of the director Nick Cassavetes (yes the same guy who co-wrote the movie). It is a sign of a good director that the acting, the dialogue, the entire film if we're being honest seems effortless. Nothing drags the audience away from the believability of the story due to Cassavetes impressive execution of his vision for the film. That being said, it is not surprising that he also directed The Notebook, since there are many similar elements captured in the styles of the two movies.

Although I cried a lot during this movie (and could hear the rest of the audience doing the same), My Sister's Keeper does a fantastic job of also showing the joyful moments and the humor that occurs in any life. We would like to believe that when someone has cancer, the story becomes completely tragic, but life is never one-sided. As Sex and the City taught us last summer, even in the depths of despair and the most heartbreaking situations, people laugh when something is funny. And just as I could hear the noses being blown around me, I also heard a lot of laughter amidst the tears of the audience.

Keep Your Eyes Closed For: There are multiple moments of physical illness, in case you get sick from seeing someone vomit
Keep Your Eyes Open For: Cameron Diaz's face when her daughter Kate tells her about the physical part of her romantic relationship

All in all, this movie is true to its trailer. So though My Sister's Keeper is not for everyone, based on the ads you should already know if you'll enjoy it. And when you walk out of the theater, if you have not used an entire pack of tissues and cannot feel your heart being 3 sizes bigger than when you walked in, let me know how this was possible.

Movies Are Life. ~ K