Movie: My Sister's Keeper

Posters and billboards for “My Sister’s Keeper,” based on Jodi Picoult’s tear-jerking novel, would have you believe that the wide smiles from Cameron Diaz and Abigail Breslin prepare you for the feel-good movie of the summer.

Guess again, particularly since that odd-looking girl blowing bubbles at the bottom right-hand corner of those promotional images plays a youngster who has been fighting leukemia for years. That would be a very game Sofia Vassilieva (from TV’s “Medium”), as teenager Kate Fitzgerald, bald from chemo, and herself constantly smiling through the harsh realities of the disease, if not the year’s most painful-to-watch movie.

Cameron Diaz stars in "My Sister's Keeper."

Sadly, the illness – and the bloody noses and vomiting sessions that come with it – is not the only reason for the pain. Certainly the casting of ever-hip Diaz – as a mom who ignores the rest of her life, including two other kids, to cater to her one very stricken daughter – never, ever rings very moving (especially when she’s wearing Ugg boots to the hospital). Anyone for a real ugh?

Still, director Nick Cassavetes, who scored in the infinitely more watchable book-to-film translation of “The Notebook,” really has nothing working for him here, either. I mean, why even include situations about brother Jesse (Evan Ellingson) traipsing on Hollywood Boulevard every night, or a loyal dog knowing more about the illness of his master/lawyer (Alec Baldwin) without ever explaining any of it?

Ah, but we digress, almost as much as this film does, an unstructured mess of flashbacks and characters who constantly cope while never saying what they really mean. The meat of the story is how little sis Anna (Breslin) came into the world courtesy of an in-vitro fertilization process solely to give Kate the medical support – and apparently even some body parts – to help keep up her gallant fight for life.

When she turns 11, Anna finally says enough is enough and hires hotshot Baldwin (in full “30 Rock” mode) to emancipate her from it all. Then the meat disappears into sizzle, that is, a series of recollections and histrionics, mostly from Diaz.

Jason Patric, Cameron Diaz and Sofia Vassilieva are an embattled family in "My Sister's Keeper."

In the rare instances that the legal battle does ensue, Joan Cusack offers up nice work as an understanding judge. And, when it doesn’t, Jason Patric, as head of the Fitzgerald household, gets a moment here or there to relate quietly to all three of his kids.

Obviously the subject matter instigates tears, but so do some mediocre TV movies. Expect “My Sister’s Keeper” to entertain the late-night legions who watch them much more sooner than later.

Rated: PG-13
Starring: Cameron Diaz, Abigail Breslin, Sofia Vassilieva, Alec Baldwin, Jason Patric, Joan Cusack
Director: Nick Cassavetes

Official Site/Studio Site: http://www.mysisterskeepermovie.com/

[John M. Urbancich has been reviewing movies and writing film features and celebrity profiles at Cleveland's Sun Newspapers for 25 years. As a longtime member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association, his work has been appearing on the Sun News website for more than a decade. John also regularly updates his own site at www.JMuvies.com ]