The Film
Most babies are products of drunken evenings and lack of birth control.
With an opening line like that, you just know that My Sister's Keeper will be a major downer -- and boy does it ever deliver. The film is based on Jodi Picoult's 2004 novel of the same name. Of course, fans know that the film doesn't mirror the book to a tee, but it's equally as heart-wrenching.
Cameron Diaz gives a surprisingly good performance as Sara Fitzgerald, a mother whose sole purpose in living revolves around keeping her daughter Kate (Sofia Vassilieva) alive. The film kicks off by introducing viewers to each member of the Fitzgerald family, while disclosing just how and when Kate was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia.
The courtroom aspect is an interesting one, but it's not really the main focus of the film. It's all about the family and how each member deals (or doesn't) with Kate's condition. My Sister's Keeper isn't the best movie. It's not even the best cancer movie. Still, despite a few Lifetime movie-of-the-week moments, the film is an entertaining, emotional look at how far people go for family.
The Picture
New Line has delivered this release in its original 2.40:1 aspect ratio. That allows for a lot of nice imagery. Director Nick Cassavetes put his stamp on the movie, with a few soft shots. Close-ups are much better, as well as more detailed. Colors can be hit or miss. Outdoor scenes, whether in the backyard or at the beach, ooze with rich colors as well as some very nice detail. Rosy fleshtones throw off an otherwise nice transfer. However, you probably won't notice the difference under those watery eyes anyway
The Sound
If you can hear over your own whimpering, you'll notice that the Dolby TrueHD track provides some solid audio. Of course, the film is mostly dialogue and sappy soundtrack. However, the sounds inside the hospital and courtroom provide a realistic backdrop. There are even a few of peeps of outdoor ambience for your rear surrounds. Also, we're not sure who made the typo, but this release's box says the film comes packing Spanish audio and subtitles, but the disc itself just offers French for both.
The Extras
For a tearjerker that's raked in over $78 million at the box office, not a one of the extras here is a "keeper." There's no commentary and no potentially fascinating features about any of the medical aspects of the film. Instead, fans just get a super-fluffy 14-minute look at how the book was brought to the big screen, 16 minutes of deleted scenes and a digital copy.
Final Thoughts
Of course, we expect a movie about childhood cancer to tug at the heartstrings. There's plenty of sap, but My Sister's Keeper has a decent Blu-ray transfer as well as a few nice performances, most notably Diaz and Vassilieva. Don't like to cry? Don't see this movie. Otherwise, expect to be blubbering like a baby about 10 minutes in. What do you expect from the same guy that directed The Notebook?
Product Details
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