My Sister's Keeper (2009)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work 
Reviews Counted:127
Fresh:60
Rotten:67
Average Rating:5.6/10
Consensus: My Sister's Keeper gets fine performances from its adult and child actors, but the director's heavy-handed approach turns a worthy emotional subject into an overly melodramatic tearjerker.
Australian Theatrical Release:
Jul 30, 2009 Wide
US Box Office: $49,069,310
Synopsis: THE NOTEBOOK's Nick Cassavetes directs another tearjerking literary adaptation with this drama based on Jodi Picoult's novel. Cameron Diaz takes a detour from comedy to play Sara, the domineering... [More]
Starring: Cameron Diaz, Abigail Breslin, Alec Baldwin, Sofia Vassilieva
Director: Nick Cassavetes
Reviews for My Sister's Keeper
| Tomatometer | Critic | Review | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
[Cassavetes] refuses to let the material speak for itself, putting a famous-for-making-women-cry song behind almost every scene, and lingering on every sentimental moment. Full Review |
||
 3/5 |
Bring the tissues. This film works. Full Review |
||
|
3/5 |
There's no question that this is a really intriguing drama and a drama that I think deserved better treatment than it gets here because I think Nick Cassevetes -- I don't think he's a very good director, really. Full Review |
||
|
3.5/5 |
There is a touch of contrivance to the set-up that is not totally convincing and the film avoids much of the ethical arguments in favour of family drama. But I must admit to being affected. Full Review |
||
|
3/5 |
A morally ambiguous tearjerker with a twist. Full Review |
||
|
2.5/5 |
Though the motives of My Sister’s Keeper will seem dubious to some, there is no denying the performances on display keep everything in the realm of the watchable. Full Review |
||
|
3.5/5 |
As manufactured Disease of the Week weepies go, Nick Cassavetes's drama based on a Jodi Picoult bestseller, is surprisingly moving. Full Review |
||
|
4/5 |
The decision to avoid unnecessary sentimentality defines this film, elevating it to a more thoughtful if a touch less engaging arena, sacrificing emotional escapism for conversation provoking tragedy. Full Review |
||
|
|
The obnoxious calculation smothers what should’ve been a pure articulation of melancholy and a potent debate of morality. Full Review |
||
|
Click to read the article Full Review |
|||
|
3/4 |
Strong performances, and a subtle script make director Cassavetes film one of the better tearjerkers of the year... Full Review |
||
|
C |
The film has its flaws and swims in meticulously crafted schmaltz... yet also has well-conceived tender moments hiding in the fringes. Full Review |
||
|
2/4 |
My Sister's Keeper demands nothing less than a tidal wave of tears. Full Review |
||
|
2/4 |
The film has a profound and compelling premise. Regrettably, it seems intent on being about everything but that premise. Full Review |
||
|
4/10 |
I tried to keep an open mind, hoping something would win me over. It didn't happen. Full Review |
||
|
4/5 |
[I]ntelligent, moving and even occasionally funny, although you might want to bring along a few tissues just in case. Full Review |
||
|
|
Cassavetes...shows great skill in weaving bright moments -- even an adolescent romance -- into the gloom. It's still bittersweet, but like mass-produced crème caramel, never too bitter. Full Review |
||
|
2/5 |
What starts as an exploration of the ethics of organ-donation and genetic selection, rapidly disintegrates into a sloppy, unstructured, tear-jerking mess. Full Review |
||
|
3.5/4 |
Sometimes, a sad story isn't just a manipulative venture that makes you cry. Sometimes, as in 'The Notebook,' it's a tale well told that brings out honest emotions. Sometimes, it's in a movie such as 'My Sister's Keeper.' Full Review |
||
|
A- |
Navigates a minefield of emotional explosives intelligently and sensitively, with excellent performances that strike the right balance between heartfelt and hand-wringing. Full Review |
CommentLatest News for My Sister's Keeper
July 26, 2009:
Win a poster signed by Cameron Diaz
How would you like to have a poster of Cameron Diaz on your wall -- signed by the lady herself? To celebrate this week's release of Cameron's latest film, My Sister's Keeper,... More...
June 27, 2009:
Easily the most poignant picture of the year, achieved without resorting to manipulative soap opera devices. 
More...
June 25, 2009:
Critics Consensus: Transformers 2 Is Less Than Meets The Eye
This week at the movies, we've got robots in disguise (Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, starring Megan Fox and Shia LaBeouf) and a family in disrepair (My Sister's Keeper,... More...
June 25, 2009:
Box Office Guru Preview: Transformers Set to Smash Records
This summer's major artillery has taken over North American multiplexes with the mid-week launch of the action tentpole Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen which aims to become... More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Fresh Links
Featured
Last week, Moviefone offered us their worst films of the 2000s. Now see their 40 best!
Techland examines the visual splendor of Peter Jackson's upcoming film.
Movieline gets bravely swept away with the recycled refuse of the 2000s.
Get all the latest movie updates, reviews, interviews and features here.
Competitions
We're giving away a bunch of stuff from the upcoming Squeakquel.
We're giving away five copies of Tarantino's hit, with thanks to Universal. That's a bingo.
IGN RSS Feeds