Melody
Based on Jodi Picoult's novel of the same name, My Sister's Keeper is a story about a young girl, Anna Fitzgerald (played by Abigail Breslin), who is conceived through in vitro fertilization as a means of saving her older sister's life.

Kate Fitzgerald (played by Sofia Vassilieva), suffers from acute promyelocytic leukemia and the family was deeply devastated when they first learnt of the news. Kate's mom, Sara (played by Cameron Diaz) took the news badly but when she found out from the doctor that there might be hope for Kate after all (and that is to conceive a child through in vitro fertilization since siblings have a better genetic match), she decided to take the chance.

So Anna was born and her blood is used in treatments in order to help save Kate's life. However Kate's condition worsened as she grows older, and this time she needs one of Anna's kidneys as she goes into renal failure.

When Anna knew about this (she is a 13-year-old girl then), she decided to defy parents' wishes and proceeds to sue them for medical emancipation. She told them that she does not want to be Kate's donor and that she has the rights to her own body after all. Attorney Campbell Alexander (played by Alec Baldwin) took Anna's case and act as her guardian ad litem. There is a reason why Alexander decided to take up the case, but I am not going to spoil this for anyone who hasn't read the book or watched the film.

In between the film, there are flashbacks that shows the close relationship between Anna and Kate, how it affected the family after seeing Kate's relapse and how Kate meets and falls in love with Taylor Ambrose, who is also a cancer patient. While I find the film to be emotional intense overall, I have to admit the ending still surprised me despite I had read the book a few years ago. But what most took me by surprise is not how it ends though, but how the film differs from the book towards the ending. As much as I wanted to compare the two versions, again I wouldn't want to spoil it should anyone wants to read/watch it. Still, it puzzles me why the change of the ending and this led me into wondering what's the point of a film adaptation if there is a significant difference from the book. And, I felt it wouldn't make the ending any much better because the subject itself is so sad. That said, My Sister's Keeper is a moving and thought-provoking story that will certainly linger in my mind for a long while.

Note: If you haven't read or watch this, I'd suggest you to read the book first before watching the movie (don't this apply to all books in general?) as I felt the emotional impact is more powerful.
8 Responses
  1. Violet Says:

    I watched this on one of the flights and the beginning didn't interest me enough to continue watching it. I guess I'll need to give it another try


  2. Ladytink_534 Says:

    I find Jodi Picoult books and movies too painful to watch more often than not.


  3. The Bookworm Says:

    I have this on my wishlist. I've heard its a tear jerker. I had no idea the movie had a different ending. I definitely want to read the book first.


  4. Julia Says:

    I have not yet watch My Sister's Keeper but I have it on my Netflix queues to watch. Maybe I eventually get the book later.


  5. Ceri Says:

    My Sister's Keeper's the first book by Jodi Picoult that I read and I really enjoyed it. That's what I was a bit apprehensive about seeing the film - I'd heard they'd changed the ending quite a bit. I think I will still watch it at some point ... just not expect too much.


  6. Iliana Says:

    I did read the book quite a few years ago and just remember being angry at the ending! haha... I wish something else had happened - not necessarily hoping for a happy ending - but I felt she still gave no answers to the moral/ethical dilema she posted. Anyway, it was an engaging story but I'd really like to see the movie now to see how it's different. You've made me curious! :)


  7. Melody Says:

    Thanks everyone for your comments! When I first started reading this book, I was thinking that the plot would make a great movie. Now that it does, I was just disappointed with it (I think the major part is to do with the difference of the ending, oh well).

    Jodi Picoult's books are usually thought-provoking and touches on delicate issue, I wonder which of her titles would be shown on the big screen next. Nonetheless, I'd look forward to it. :)


  8. Part of the reason I never saw this movie is because of the departure in endings. Even though it was terrible in the book, it fit and I can't imagine how one could rewrite it so it would work better. Typically I do read the book before the movie--it's hard for me to go the other way.


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