My Sister’s Keeper, starring Cameron DIaz, was adapted from the 2004 novel of the same name, written by Jodi Picoult, and is loosely based on the real life story of Marissa and Anissa Ayala who were born in 1984
Cameron Diaz plays the mother of a young girl suffering with Cancer(Image: Courtesy of New Line Cinema)
With its controversial subjects and emotionally charged themes, it’s no shock that this film leaves audiences either weeping or feeling somewhat let down.
For the most part, My Sister’s Keeper has left a profound impact on moviegoers due to its heart-wrenching exploration of cancer and grief. The film centres around a teenage girl named Kate who is devastatingly diagnosed with leukaemia, plunging her parents into utter chaos.
With no existing family members being a genetic match, the couple opt to have a child through in vitro fertilisation, hoping their newborn could aid in keeping their daughter alive. This is referred to as a ‘saviour sibling’, an idea the author of the original novel was inspired by after hearing about a real-life family’s experience.
As time passes, Anna, the youngest daughter, is put through the wringer as a lifeline for her sister, with whom she shares a tight bond, until at age 11 she is confronted with a more life-changing procedure. When Kate suffers kidney failure, it falls on Anna to donate one of her kidneys, drastically affecting her quality of life.
It’s at this point that she decides to seek legal counsel and file a lawsuit against her parents, suing them for medical emancipation. It delves into the complexities of familial relationships, the extent to which parents are prepared to go for their children, and the love siblings harbour for each other in ways that resonated deeply with many viewers, reports the Express.
The film is based on the experiences of ‘saviour siblings'(Image: Capital Pictures)
A Rotten Tomatoes critique highlighted the film’s emotional impact: “Prepare for tears. There will be tears. The movie was kind of interesting in how it moved from one perspective to another while still managing to tell a continuous story.” The review continued, acknowledging potential mixed reactions: “Maybe people will find it messy, but I found it interesting. I was only a little confused by the flashbacks, being unsure exactly when they took place. Besides that, I found the film very engaging. The acting was excellent. A real tearjerker.”
Another viewer offered a different take, saying: “I applaud the movie’s attempt to handle a very difficult and painful subject matter, but it ultimately feels manipulative and contrived. The actors give their all and the filmmaking is good, but the story never gets over the forced mystery of the sister’s decision. Overall okay.”
READ MORE: Dog food monthly subscription creates ‘tailored menu’ to meet each pups needs READ MORE: Best padel rackets from £25 to shop for beginner and advanced players
Cameron Diaz takes on the role of the mother in this heart-wrenching tale, with a poignant scene showing her shaving her head. Abigail Breslin and Sofia Vassilieva portray the sisters at the centre of the story, Jason Patric plays their father, and Alec Baldwin delivers as the determined attorney.
Audiences have lauded the stellar performances, especially Diaz’s, with one reviewer exclaiming: “I don’t know where to start. This movie was absolutely AMAZING! I loved the idea of the movie, and it is very well written.” The same review expressed the overwhelming emotional response elicited by the film: “I usually cry during sad movies, although this movie I couldn’t stop! It is so heartbreaking. The actors played their roles extremely well.”
Join our Shopping & Deals WhatsApp for the best bargains and fashion news
WHATSAPP: Get the best deals and exclusive discount codes straight to your phone via our WhatsApp group.
Users must download or already have WhatsApp on their phones to join in.
All you have to do to join is click on this link, select ‘Join Chat’ and you’re in! We may also send you stories from other titles across the Reach group.
We will also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.
Some of these articles will contain affiliate links where we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from them.
If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
The plot was inspired by the 2004 hit novel by Jodi Picoult, which in turn draws from the true story of siblings Marissa and Anissa Ayala. Diagnosed with leukaemia at sixteen, Anissa’s life was saved thanks to her sister becoming her donor, mirroring the poignant narrative of this “heartbreaking” film.
For those on the hunt for their next emotional rollercoaster, My Sister’s Keeper is currently up for streaming on Amazon Prime, but a fair warning – it’s a tough viewing experience.