What keeps a family together? Nick Cassavetes, the director of The Notebook and John Q, again demonstrates his sure hand tales of deep human emotion in this inspiring film about a loving family challenged-and-united by a child's illness. Cameron Diaz, Abegail Breslin, Alec Baldwin and others in an exceptional cast bring sensitivity to the story of 11-yr old Anna Fitzgerald, conceived to be a donor for her leukemia-stricken sister, but who finally demands the right to control her own body. The act of free will may tear the Fitzgeralds apart or, it may be the first step to triumphant realization of devotion, dignity and what it means to be a family. ( From cover)
For me, the movie is intriguing, what with the main plot of an 11 yr old child suing her parents...but that's not really be-all-end-all of the story..., it is also inspiring because this is a story of a mother who would do everything at all costs just to save a child, a story of a sibling who would try everything to help a dying sister and a story of a father who has to be strong for everyone. I couldn't help my tears from falling, because everytime Kate is in the scene it demands nothing less than a tidal wave of emotions, like when she was scanning pages from her scrapbook, in it are memories of her with her family and her poignant messages to all of them, you wish you were there to give her a big hug...
Sometimes, a sad story isn't just a manipulative venture that makes you cry. Sometimes it comes from your understanding of these people and how this particular family operates in an atmosphere of love and mutual concern. Sometimes you just have to believe in each character’s strength of conviction – consumed by their own unrelenting drive to save Kate’s life, and the level of commitment is absolutely apparent to the audience. Sometimes, it's a tale well told that brings out honest emotions. Sometimes, it's in a movie such as 'My Sister's Keeper.
My fave lines from the soundtrack:
1. Feels Like Home - Kate met Taylor, also a cancer-stricken young lad...they fell for each other, loving everyday with all they can because it might be their last day together...you would be crying just seeing them together, bald and all....so touching...so inspiring...
Well, if you knew how much this moment means to me
And how long I've waited for your touch
And if you knew how happy you are making me
I never thought that I'd love anyone so much
2. Don't wanna cry - by Pete Yorn - I like men who could be emotionally sensitive to women...and that's rare to find...so I salute them..
I know men aren't supposed to act this way,
but things they got too real; I couldn't stay.
Now I know one day we will both feel good.
If I could be with you, you know I would.
3. Life is Beautiful by Vega4 - Because its true that Life is beautiful but COMPLICATED!!!
Life is beautiful, but it's complicated.
We barely make it.
We don't need to understand,
There are miracles, miracles.
4. We All Fall in Love Sometimes by Jeff Buckley - "Everybody has memories of love gone bad for some reason, especially if it's gone bad for reasons they don't know about..and they can never really figure out...that on..that last one was called 'Unforgiven'"
Didn’t we? did we? should we? could we?
I’m not sure but sometimes we’re so blind
Struggling through the day
When even your best friends say
Don’t you find?
We all fall in love sometimes
5. Find My Way Back Home by Priscila Ann - When love conquers the heart of people, it conquers everything....
'Cause you and me,
So happily,
Make all our dreams of make believe reality
There you have it, watch this movie with a roll of tissue....and popcorn too!!!
