Have you seen the trailer to My Sister’s keeper? Have you ever read the book? Di you know the director Nick Cassavettes is the same man who directed The Notebook? If you did or even if you are just finding out, you should know what this movie will be like. C’mon look at the title.

Now let me get the story out of the way so you can know whether you want to read on. The movie stars Cameron Diaz as the mother of a terminally ill child who is being sustained by the donated body parts of her younger sister (Abigail Breslin).Fed up of being the spare parts the younger sister sues the parents for the medical rights to her body.

With a story that reeks of tears and heartbreak, the film is kept from the crappy basement of Gimmick is the believable performances from everyone involved. As with all movies like this it is the performances that will rise or kill the film and here they are;
Jason Patric steps up as the father and struggling husband. He is a treat to watch as he usually has that robotic presence in most films I have seen him in but here he is an embattled man keeping strong in the face of a heartbreaking dilemma . 

                     

Cameron Diaz is ferocious as the mother who will not give up on her daughter ever. It is a good role and she plays it well but she comes across as a bitch too often and even though we see understand her actions; it would have been good to see some softness that Diaz does so well.

Abigail Breslin is the best young actress you could have got for this role and what do you expect from her. She plays it to perfection as the sister who adores her older sibling but just wants to have a choice. Her innocence onscreen is palpable and not once do you ever accuse her for her actions even as her sister gets weaker. Alec Baldwin plays the smooth talking lawyer which is not a stretch.  

                    

The strongest role in this film though belongs to Sofia Vassilieva from Tv's Medium. She plays the dying daughter/sister to perfection. She does it with a naivety and strength as you see, through flashbacks , her condition take its toll on her family and herself. Every time she comes onscreen your heart breaks a little. I know this is what they want you to feel but her performance really drives it home. When you see her in fits of sickness or laughing hysterically you are right there with her. I have to say she blew me away. The theatre only had about 10 percent guys (all with their partners) who whilst dragging their feet and chatting were silenced by her performance. Heartbreaking.

                     

Obviously there is good acting from all the cast but I can’t list them all but this is a movie where you expect it. The directing is smooth and straight to the point .Nick Cassevettes does well in bringing the tears out but you know that already. That’s what he does. This is a film aimed squarely at my fiancé and her gender and it does that with great precision.

Not much else can be said as you most likely have made up your mind about this film. (And it most likely depends on your gender) But I can say that this is a good film with some top notch performances. Whilst the dialogue, music and plotting are manipulative ,they are only made genuine by some smart casting. You know if you want to or not so I will leave it up to you.