My Sister's Keeper

You are watching a melodramatic film about the cohesion of a family in difficult life situations, in which delicate piano plays in sunlit shots, and heavy scenes are filled with emotions. You almost want to say that it's just another Hollywood template, but then you realize that Nick Cassavetes has everything under control, and in certain aspects, even in the banal and clichéd themes and scenes – however schematic they may be – it is his own, sufficiently heartfelt, unobtrusive, intellectual, and emotionally wrenching style, ruling in a very similar way as in The Notebook. Cameron Diaz plays her heart out. (03/04/2015)

I welcome and respect stories with a similar message, but this ambitious kitsch unfortunately didn't grab me by the heart. Cassavetes has a well-written script, where thoughtful time jumps enhance the depth and emotional trail that the central characters' almost existentially fraught relationship leaves behind as the plot progresses, but this shallow humanist is boring as a director – the film not only proceeds and ends in a wholly expected manner, but more importantly seems to hold together only by virtue of the heartfelt performances. Everything else is very professional and moving, but not in that personal, realistic-artistic way as in the case of Lasse Hallstrom, but in a machine-like, self-serving and completely impersonal way. It’s a shame. 65% (11/07/2015)

Totally weepy movie, I was kind of expecting this ending, but that's okay. I kind of envy the siblings their relationship, my sister and I will never have one that nice, but maybe it's generated by the disease, if it hadn't broken out maybe they wouldn't all be so nice to each other... who knows. But there were moments that I didn't love – like a relationship between two sick people, I was just waiting for the grim reaper to come knocking. I was kind of thinking towards the end of the movie: "Die already." And when it happened, I didn't even cry, there were other things I thought were sadder. Somewhat of a weak 4 stars. (01/23/2011)

I cried a few times, I admit it. At the same time, I'm ashamed of myself because Monsieur Cassavetes is a downright emotional manipulator. Sorry, but if after 10 minutes of the film the main sufferer shoots off a couple of poorly aimed (on top of everything else!!!) streams of vomit, that makes it a violent, forced, and unnatural plea for the viewer's emotions that I find utterly repugnant. The fact is that the film as a whole is a very respectable piece of craftsmanship, I won't deny that and I’m taking that into account in my overall rating. The acting was pretty good, too; however, my biggest problem was with the hysterical Cameron Diaz. She was just overacting in the most tense moments, which unfortunately cannot be excused. As a whole, the film isn't bad, and it's definitely not crap. It's a well made film with an unfortunately overly tear-jerking script that at certain moments acts as a signal that seems to say "it's going to get really bad now, get your tissues ready, but that's life!" (10/05/2013)

This story of a beautiful family made me cry. At first I felt sorry for Anna, who was actually a victim and was about to start losing her sense of self-importance. It was incredible how "adult" she was about it. Aside from the pain she had to endure in order to give a "piece of herself" to her older sister, at 11 years old she had to understand her mother, who out of fear for one daughter forgot she had two. The moment when the little girl stands in the courtroom and fights against her mother was the saddest moment ever. The role of the mom accurately describes what a loving parent can become when their child suffers. She gradually loses not only her daughter, but her life and her rational thinking. Great cast: Abigail Breslin and Sofia Vassilieva. And I dare say it was Cameron Diaz's best film. (10/19/2010)