My Sister's Keeper Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
Growing apart. Growing together. Sisters are forever.
A non-stereotyped portrayal of a person with mental illness and an at times difficult, but loving relationship with her sister. A true story. Book by the same name. It both opens minds and entertains. Great acting by Kathy Bates: an informative contrast to her role in the movie Misery.
| Kathy Bates | Christine Chapman |
| Elizabeth Perkins | Judy Chapman |
| Lynn Redgrave | Helen Margaret Chapman |
| Kimberly J. Brown | Young Christine Chapman |
| Hallee Hirsh | Young Judy Chapman |
| Bobby Harwell | Father Daniel |
| Tony Amendola | Dr. Bartonio |
| Raye Birk | Justice of the Peace |
| Clark Gregg | Harvey |
| Dylan Kussman | Leon |
| Marc Miller | Dancing Boy |
| Geoffrey Rivas | Jay |
| David St. James | George |
| Manny Suárez | Waiter |
| Shane Sweet | Bill |
| Ron Lagomarsino |
5.90 out of 10 (143 votes)
Visitor Reviews
NAMI Media Award Winner
posted on 25 Feb 2007NAMI: The Nation's Voice on Mental Illness (www.nami.org) honored this movie with a 2001 Outstanding Media Award. it's excellent. A non-stereotyped portrayal of a person with mental illness and an at times difficult, but loving relationship with her sister. A true story. Book by the same name. It both opens minds and entertains. Great acting by Kathy Bates: an informative contrast to her role in the movie Misery.
An Outstanding Hallmark Production!
posted on 22 Aug 2006Is it surprising that Hallmark would put out anything less than excellent? And is it surprising that Kathy Bates would pull off another Oscar-Winning performance?Kathy Bates stars as a woman diagnosed at age 16 with a schizo-effective disorder. Trying to go about a normal life is difficult for her. Elizabeth Perkins plays her younger sister, trying to lead a normal life but has always felt an obligation towards her sister. On top of this, Perkins' character finds that trying to carry on a romance is very difficult, in light of her sister's needs.This is definitely a must-see movie! Then again, with Kathy Bates and Hallmark teamed together, how can one go wrong????
Excellent film
posted on 23 Jan 2004This film was very touching and moving. I actually cried during it, something I rarely do over a movie.The acting was superb, as was the writing and direction.The film revolves mainly around the lives of two sisters,Chrissy (Kathy Bates)and Judy (Elizabeth Perkins). The older sister, Chrissy becomes mentally ill during her teen years, entering a nightmare world of delusion,fear and sometimes rage.I would like to add the actresses who portrayed Chrissy and Judy pre-adult, also did excellent work.This was depicted so realistically and so well, I was able to empathize and see both sides of the problems Chrissy's illness caused for both her and her sister, Judy.The film continues on into their adult years, and how Chrissy eventually becomes Judy's responsibility, one that she feels two ways about, just as Chrissy often feels opposing emotions towards her.Mental illness can trap people, both the one who is ill and those who love them.A beautiful, tender film - 10 stars.
Another Award for Kathy Bates?
posted on 01 Feb 2009It's so nice to see popular culture finally coming out of the dark ages in addressing mental health issues. This movie did an excellent job of conveying the conflicts that exist among the mentally ill and their families, without beating the viewer over the head with a sentimental sledgehammer, or falling into the all-too-familiar trap of turning mental illness into great melodrama. (Which serves only to further stigmatize those who are most harmed by stigma.) This was about realistic characters coping with realistic emotions and issues, and did it in a way that gently informed and educated the viewer. This was a thinking person's film, not a "woman in danger" TV chick flick.Kathy Bates' performance as a woman coping with a severe form of bipolar disorder was a wonder. We saw a woman, not a disorder, and she made her character come alive. She helped us see that those with mental illness have hopes and dreams too, and long to fulfill a purpose in their lives. Elizabeth Perkins was also fine as the conflicted "healthy" sister, struggling to find a balance between living an active and successful "normal" life, while also respecting the needs of her struggling sister. We see her sister's illness through her eyes, and she shows us the pain and hardship this illness causes families while also creating opportunities for a type of grace to break through. A balance is achieved in the end, gently and subtly, like these characters will continue working on perfecting the balancing process long after our window into their lives has closed. No TV-movie loose ends are tied up here, but the ending is moving, textured, and appropriate, nonetheless.My only gripe is that parts of the chronology are choppy and leave you feeling as though you missed something. A critical relationship, for example, simmers through most of the movie, and then suddenly changes radically near the end, without much plot or character development. However, considering all that is done so well here, it's a small complaint.Hats off to the writers, the director, and actors for a job well done.