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!