My Sister's Keeper

Back before someone coined the term “Chick Flick”, they used to call dramas like My Sister’s Keeper, “weepies” or “tear-jerkers”. You even had some glib reviewers categorize them by the amount of tissues used. For example a three hankie film would be a real tear-jerker, guaranteed to turn on the water works. But what I admired the most about My Sister’s Keeper was the limited amount of tears, the absence of manipulation, and the lack of worn-out cliches. This was a family drama that just happened to revolve around a young girl dying from cancer.

Anyone who has had to deal with illness in a family knows that the family dynamic is seen at its best and its worse, and only the strongest of families survive. This film shows us a close-knit family with an iron-willed mother. But it also shows us how when one member of the family is ill and becomes the center of attention, that other family members can be ignored.

Cameron Diaz is outstanding as the fierce, determined mother in this film trying to keep her daughter alive. Jason Patric is quietly understated as the father who is just trying to keep everyone happy, and as normal as possible. Abigail Breslin is excellent as the younger sister who was genetically engineered to save the life of her bigger sister Kate. But the real surprise for me was the lovely Sofia Vassilieva who played Kate. I’ve watched her for years on the TV show Medium, but here she has had a chance to really shine. Her performance is remarkable and touching, especially at the end when she shows her true strength.

In the supporting roles, Joan Cusack is tremendous as the judge who must make a life and death decision coming so soon after a life and death situation of her own. And the always good Alec Baldwin gives a very heartfelt performance as one of those flashy TV commercial type lawyers. The scenes between him and Breslin are sensitive and well played. The entire supporting cast is outstanding.

I liked this film because the director Nick Cassavetes chose to play against the sentimentality and pathos of this story and concentrated on the character’s relationships. You’ll still get your weepie ending, but you’ll get some fine acting along the way. A nicely done film well worth seeing.

Rating: First Run A good family drama with fine performances