RottenTomatoes.com
Log In | Register | What is RT?
Check out the new RT Community
  • Home
  • Movies
  • DVD
  • Celebrities
  • News
  • Critics
  • Trailers & Pictures
  • CommunityBeta
  • Box Office
  • | In Theaters
  • | Opening
  • | Upcoming
  • | Best Of
  • | Certified Fresh
  • | Showtimes
RT Search Powered by Google
help icon Enhanced RT
searches on Google
Click here to turn on enhanced search results from RT on your Google searches.
 
Movies / On DVD / My Sister's Keeper
My Sister's Keeper

Rate this Movie Help Icon

  • Write a Review
  • Read Reviews
  • Add to List
  • Get this Movie
  • Buy Poster External Icon
Bookmark and Share

My Sister's Keeper (2009)

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
47 %
Tomatometer
Template ImageTemplate Image

How does the Tomatometer work Help Icon

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.

Rated: PG-13 [See Full Rating] for mature thematic content, some disturbing images, sensuality, language, and brief teen drinking.

Runtime: 1 hr 50 mins

Genre: Dramas

Theatrical Release:Jun 26, 2009 Wide

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... 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 mother of Kate (Sofia Vassilieva, MEDIUM), a young girl with cancer. Sara’s other daughter, 11-year-old Anna (Abigail Breslin), was conceived just to serve as a donor for her sick sister. On the outskirts of the family are father Brian (Jason Patric), who feels unable to stand up to his wife’s strength, and son Jesse (Evan Ellingson), who craves attention in the face of Kate’s illness. But the complicated situation gets more difficult when Anna hires a lawyer (played by the always excellent Alec Baldwin), so that she can control her own body and say "no" to giving a kidney to her sister. Cassavetes and Picoult both traffic in tears, so MY SISTER’S KEEPER is a perfect match between director and source writer. Even the most jaded viewers will find it hard to keep their eyes dry in the face of this emotional family tragedy, so audiences are warned to have tissues parked next to their popcorn. This drama’s stellar cast also includes Thomas Dekker as Kate’s cancer-stricken love and Joan Cusack as the judge who presides over Anna’s case. [More]

Starring: Cameron Diaz, Abigail Breslin, Alec Baldwin, Sofia Vassilieva

Starring: Cameron Diaz, Abigail Breslin, Alec Baldwin, Sofia Vassilieva, Joan Cusack, Jason Patric, Thomas Dekker, Emily Deschanel, Lin Shaye

Director: Nick Cassavetes

Director: Nick Cassavetes
Screenwriter: Jeremy Leven, Nick Cassavetes
Producer: Mark Johnson, Chuck Pacheco, Scott L. Goldman
Composer: Aaron Zigman
Studio: Warner Bros.

[See More Credits]

  • Trailers
  • Pictures
  • Trailer
    >
1 of 1

See More Movie Trailers & Pictures

Get This Movie

Rent DVD
 
 

Click on the "ADD" button to put this movie into your Netflix queue.

 
 
Buy DVD
 
 
Release:

Nov 17, 2009

[DVD Details]
 
 

DVD Features:

  • Region 1
  • Dual Layer

Audio:

  • Dolby Digital 5.1 - English, Spanish
  • Subtitles - English, Spanish
 
 
 
 

Reviews for My Sister's Keeper

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

Strong performances, and a subtle script make director Cassavetes film one of the better tearjerkers of the year...

Full Review Source: Cinema Crazed | comment Comment
12/11/09
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Cinema Crazed

The film has its flaws and swims in meticulously crafted schmaltz... yet also has well-conceived tender moments hiding in the fringes.

Full Review Source: Cinemalogue.com | comment Comment
12/06/09
Rubin Safaya
Rubin Safaya
Cinemalogue.com

My Sister's Keeper demands nothing less than a tidal wave of tears.

Full Review Source: What Would Toto Watch? | comment 1 Comment
11/28/09
Christian Toto
Christian Toto
What Would Toto Watch?

The film has a profound and compelling premise. Regrettably, it seems intent on being about everything but that premise.

Full Review Source: Aisle Seat | comment Comment
11/16/09
Mike McGranaghan
Mike McGranaghan
Aisle Seat

I tried to keep an open mind, hoping something would win me over. It didn't happen.

Full Review Source: DVDTown.com | comment Comment
11/14/09
John J. Puccio
John J. Puccio
DVDTown.com

[I]ntelligent, moving and even occasionally funny, although you might want to bring along a few tissues just in case.

Full Review Source: New England Movies Weekly | comment Comment
08/11/09
Daniel M. Kimmel
Daniel M. Kimmel
New England Movies Weekly

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 Source: MovieTime, ABC Radio National | comment Comment
07/31/09
Jason Di Rosso
Jason Di Rosso
MovieTime, ABC Radio National

[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 Source: FILMINK (Australia) | comment Comment
07/31/09
Jenni Dawes
Jenni Dawes
FILMINK (Australia)

Bring the tissues. This film works.

Full Review Source: The Age (Australia) | comment Comment
07/31/09
Jim Schembri
Jim Schembri
The Age (Australia)

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 Source: Screenwize | comment Comment
07/30/09
Simon Weaving
Simon Weaving
Screenwize

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 Source: At the Movies (Australia) | comment Comment
07/29/09
David Stratton
David Stratton
At the Movies (Australia)

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 Source: At the Movies (Australia) | comment Comment
07/29/09
Margaret Pomeranz
Margaret Pomeranz
At the Movies (Australia)

A morally ambiguous tearjerker with a twist.

Full Review Source: Daily Telegraph (Australia) | comment Comment
07/29/09
Vicky Roach
Vicky Roach
Daily Telegraph (Australia)

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 Source: Herald Sun (Australia) | comment Comment
07/29/09
Leigh Paatsch
Leigh Paatsch
Herald Sun (Australia)

As manufactured Disease of the Week weepies go, Nick Cassavetes's drama based on a Jodi Picoult bestseller, is surprisingly moving.

Full Review Source: Courier Mail (Australia) | comment Comment
07/29/09
Des Partridge
Des Partridge
Courier Mail (Australia)

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 Source: Sydney Morning Herald | comment Comment
07/29/09
Giles Hardie
Giles Hardie
Sydney Morning Herald

The obnoxious calculation smothers what should’ve been a pure articulation of melancholy and a potent debate of morality.

Full Review Source: Dark Horizons | comment 1 Comment
07/27/09
Brian Orndorf
Brian Orndorf
Dark Horizons
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
07/24/09
Urban Cinefile

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 Source: Quad City Times (Davenport, IA) | comment Comment
07/15/09
Linda Cook
Linda Cook
Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)

Navigates a minefield of emotional explosives intelligently and sensitively, with excellent performances that strike the right balance between heartfelt and hand-wringing.

Full Review Source: Spectrum (St. George, Utah) | comment Comment
07/15/09
Bruce Bennett
Bruce Bennett
Spectrum (St. George, Utah)
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 >> >|
all

Latest 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. Opens in new window
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...

See All

More DVDs

Close
Top Rentals
Tomatometer Percentage Movie
39% 39% 2012
90% 90% Up in the Air
91% 91% Precious: Based on the…
25% 25% Law Abiding Citizen
73% 73% Where the Wild Things Are

More Rentals…

New On DVD This Week
Tomatometer Percentage Movie
85% 85% The Princess and the Frog
81% 81% Broken Embraces
26% 26% Ninja Assassin
13% 13% Did You Hear About the…
18% 18% The Fourth Kind

More New Releases…

See All

RT On Current TV

The Rotten Tomatoes Show on Current TV

DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...

Learn how you can be part of the show

More...

What’s Hot On RT

RT on Facebook

RT on Facebook

Become a fan for all the latest RT goodies!

Predators

Predators

It must be said: Get to the trailer NOW!!!

Friday Harvest

Friday Harvest

Find this week's best trailers and pictures!

Premiere Pictures

Premiere Pictures

Pics from The Bounty Hunter red carpet!

Other News

Close
  • Top Stories
  • Popular
  • Interviews
 
 

Comments

 
 
Top Stories
Headlines Comments
  
  • Bryan Singer Talks X-Men: First Class Source: Los Angeles Times
23
  • Columbia Trying to Make Ghostbusters III Without Reitman? Source: New York Magazine
36
  • Tim Burton Adopts The Addams Family Source: Deadline Hollywood Daily
28
  • Here Comes the Avatar Double Dip Source: Los Angeles Times
42
  • The Hobbit's Quest Starts in June Source: ComingSoon.net
17
  • Summit Wants a Top Director for Breaking Dawn Source: Entertainment Weekly
40
  • Tron Legacy Set Reports and Interviews! Source: Collider.com
22
  • Ryan Phillippe, Captain America Contender? Source: HitFix
78
  • Predators Sneak Peek Posted Source: 20th Century Fox
20
  • Weekly Ketchup: Captain America vs. Agent Smith
150
Popular
Headlines Comments
  
  • Total Recall: Jennifer Aniston's Best Movies
100
  • Tomatometer Watch: Critics Love Kick-Ass!
47
  • Box Office Guru Wrapup: Audiences Still Love Alice
41
  • RT on DVD & Blu-Ray: A New Moon and a Frog Princess
31
  • Critics Consensus: Wimpy Kid Gets Picked On
27
  • Weekly Ketchup: More Captain America and Tim Burton's latest
24
  • Friday Harvest: Predators trailer, The Expendables, and more!
23
Interviews
Headlines Comments
  
  • Exclusive: Oscar Nominee Jeff Bridges on Crazy Heart - The RT Interview
1
  • Exclusive: Oscar Nominee Colin Firth on A Single Man
10
  • Oscar Nominee Gabby Sidibe Talks Precious
23
  • One Man's Quest To Find The Worst Movie Ever
9
  • Five Favorite Films With Peter Jackson
78
  • Robert Downey Jr. talks Sherlock Holmes & Iron Man 2 - RT Interview
23
  • Director Ruben Fleischer Talks Zombieland
4
  • "I Don't Hate Women": Lars von Trier on Antichrist
19
  • Eric Bana talks Love the Beast - RT Interview
14
  • Fight Club Sound Designer Reflects on Film's 10th Anniversary
25
 
 

Sponsored Links

Around The Network

  • My Sister's Keeper at Rotten Tomatoes
  • My Sister's Keeper at IGN

Fresh Links

Featured
12 Sloshed Celebs
12 Sloshed Celebs External Link

In "honor" of St. Patty's Day, PopEater brings us 12 famous drunken celebrity appearances.

Stars Trashing Their Work
Stars Trashing Their Work External Link

How often do stars regret working on something? Moviefone has the lowdown on all the trash talk.

Wolverine Sings in Chinese?
Wolverine Sings in Chinese? External Link

JustJared shares with us a video of Hugh Jackman on The Tonight Show... singing in Chinese.

Worst Live-Action Cartoons
Worst Live-Action Cartoons External Link

Techland offers their list of the worst live-action adaptations of beloved cartoons to hit the big screen.

A Trailer for Every Oscar
A Trailer for Every Oscar External Link

Cracked has got the Oscars nailed; check out their comprehensive trailer for every Best Picture winner!

Promos
Get the Flixster App Now!
Get the Flixster App Now! External Link

Download it from iTunes and get Tomatometer scores straight to your iPhone!

 
 
About| Site Map| Help| RT To Go| Contact Us| Press| Critics Submission| Linking to RT| Licensing| Movie List| Celebs List| Newsletter
Copyright © 2010 Flixster, Inc. All rights reserved. | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy
Certain product data © 1995-present Muze, Inc. For personal use only. All rights reserved.