My Sister's Keeper (2009) Review

I knew going into "My Sister's Keeper" that it would be a weep fest. Considering it is about a 14 year old who has leukemia and needs a kidney which will be donated by her 11 year old sister who was conceived to supply 'body parts' for the older sibling how could it not be a weeper?!

Aside from the interaction of the family, which also includes an older male sibling, the parents and the mother's sister the major plot line is that of the 11 year old suing her parents to stop using her body without asking her.

While every other line can cause crying, and many do, there are also laughs along the way to relieve the tension. There is bleeding, vomiting, many hospital scenes but there are also warm family moments, a prom scene and a young couple, both dealing with cancer, and possible death, finding love though that, too, ends up in a sad way.

There is an unexpected twist near the end--at least unexpected to me--that brings about some satisfaction as to what finally happens.

Let's get to the acting. I am NOT a fan of Cameron Diaz--have never understood why she is one of the highest paid actresses in Hollywood considering she has had more flops than hits and the latter were usually with bigger stars--but the bottom line is she does a good job here as a mother who gives up a lucrative career as a lawyer to take care of her ill daughter. Jason Patric, as a fire fighter, husband and father is the backbone of the family and loved by all, not to mention the fact that he has a great body.

Sofia Vassilieva as Kate, the older sister, and Abigail Breslin as the younger one are both strong and believable in their roles while Evan Ellingson as the older brother has a very undefinable role and is sort of let down by the writer and director.

Joan Cusack as a judge who recently lost her 12 year old daughter has a tough decision to make and does fine in the role except for a very distracting use of her mouth. Alec Baldwin, as the young daughter's lawyer, has really come into his own the past few years and he certainly doesn't disappoint in this film.

There is some poor editing, such as in one scene a milkshake disappears, and the directing is pedestrian. There are songs on the sound track that are very inappropriate and/or interfere with the flow of the picture.

I love crying in a movie--it seems to relieve whatever sadness, disappointment, depression or whatever other feelings I may have--almost  a catharsis--and no matter how much of a downer the film may be I leave the theatre feeling better!