My Review: My Sister’s Keeper
Conceived as a marrow donor for her gravely ill sister, Anna Fitzgerald (Abigail Breslin) has undergone countless surgeries and medical procedures in her short life. Though their older daughter’s life has no doubt been prolonged, the unorthodox decision of Anna’s parents has cracked the entire family’s foundation. When Anna sues her parents for emancipation, it sets off a court case that threatens to destroy the family for good.
I read this book, by Jodi Picoult about a year ago – maybe two. When I heard they were turning it into a movie, I was totally thrilled! I loved the book, heartbreaking as it was, and couldn’t wait to see how they would portray it on the big screen!
I had two concerns. One, how was Cameron Diaz going to pull off the heartbreaking role of the tough – almost bitchy mother? And secondly – please tell me they wouldn’t change the ending! There had been a lot of controversy surrounding the ending of the movie, and Jodi Picoult fans all over the world were begging to keep the movie as the book intended!
I can happily say that Cameron Diaz was amazing. She really was. I thought she nailed the role perfectly. In fact, I thought the whole movie was expertly cast. Everyone played their parts perfectly.
The whole movie is designed to make you cry. From beginning to end – it’s one non-stop cry fest. I actually held out crying until about three quarters in, and then I lost it. It’s one of those movies that’s almost too sad – and they’re trying too hard to make you cry – that you can’t cry. (Does that make sense?) But almost – because I did eventually cry. And cried HARD I might add.
I’m going to put the rest of my review after the cut because it’s kind of SPOILERISH and I have something to bitch about. Click on more to continue my review.
THEY CHANGED THE ENDING!!! In the ending of the book, Anna dies in a car accident, and is able to save her dying sister once and for all – by giving her the kidneys she needs to survive. Yes, this is sad – but it’s also so sweet, because Kate – who has been sick since the age of 5 – is finally able to live a normal, healthy life!
In the movie – Kate just dies. That’s it. The whole movie is tragic – and sad – and then she just dies! I wonder how Jodi Picoult feels about this. I felt like the ending of the book – was the most poignant point of the whole story. And they totally cut that out of the movie!
I was really loving the movie up until then. Had they kept the ending the way the book had intended, I probably would be raving about the movie. But they changed it! I hate that! Maybe I’m just too much of a purist.
My friend Erin came with me, and she has also read the book. She loved the movie ending better than the book, so I know this is just my personal opinion. But hey, it’s my website – so I get to tell you all what I think! 
July 1st, 2009 at 11:30 am
I just finished the book last week. I hadn’t heard of it until the movie was coming out and knowing that the books are usually way better than the movie, I wanted to read it first. When I got to the end, I couldn’t believe it. I cried so hard and was so sad that it ended the way it did. Having said that, I am very disappointed to hear that the ending was changed. It made the whole book. You keep expecting Kate to die then the fact that Anna does sneaks up on you and punches you in the stomache. It may be a good movie, but I will probably wait for it to come to Pay Per View.
July 1st, 2009 at 1:06 pm
My Sister’s Keeper was the most amazing book I have ever read so when I heard they had changed the ending, I was SO upset. The ending is what makes the story so powerful because no one is expecting Anna to die. Jodi said (and this is not word for word) that she didn’t like that they changed the ending but she was still looking forward to seeing the movie. I do still want to see the movie though, I just have to make myself think of it as a movie and compare it to the book the whole time.
July 1st, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Its been my favorite book ever since i read it 3 years ago. It feels like, it totally changed my life reading it. And, yes, the ending, the only ending I could think of as a good ending of the story is the one Jodi P. wrote. Too bad, the movie doesn’t finish like that. It even makes me sad long before seeing the movie itself…I live far from L.A., still counting the days ever since I knew there is a movie of this great book is coming out. And i just heard that maybe in my country, there will be only a dvd release. Too bad, but I think I already had my biggest cry when finishing the book, the shocking ending….
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:42 am
I didn’t get to read the book but saw the movie last night. It was very touching and unbelievably sad. I think it really makes you think about how easily life can be taken from you, and really puts things into perspective when you have your own children. It’s so sad to see and know that there are children living with this sickness and suffering. It was such a wonderful movie but I did cry most of the way through but I still loved it.
July 25th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
My sister and I are hard core Jodi fans and love her books! We just went to see the movie together and thought it was wonderful…practically cried through the whole thing…UNTIL THE ENDING!!! I couldn’t believe that they would change it!!!! It would have hardly taken up 10 more minutes, no extra sets needed in the film, and it would have been amazing…and sent a much better message to never give up…and to fight no matter how hard it seems!!! Sigh, wait till it comes out on DVD before watching it- not worth the money for the movie…but buy the book! So so so wonderful to read!
August 4th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
I am so with you I was devo they changed the end so dissapointed I felt like walking out before it ended. Why take out the best twist ever that totally made for an awsome story.