- Film Review
- Reviewed By Stella Papamichael
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2 out of 5
Based on the bestselling novel by Jodi Picoult, this drama attempts to take a fresh look at the hardship of terminal disease. Cameron Diaz stars as the frantic mother of two daughters, one (Abigail Breslin) conceived specifically to donate blood cells to her sister (Sofia Vassiieva), who is dying of leukaemia. Writer/director Nick Cassavetes (The Notebook) can't keep the story from feeling maudlin at times, regardless of numerous pop montages, but the casting of Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine) as the donor child certainly helps. Her candid remarks challenge the softly-softly approach of her parents, especially when she decides that she doesn't want to give up a kidney, going so far as to hire a lawyer (Alec Baldwin). Unfortunately, the intriguing court case that ensues too often takes second place to the clichéd soap opera at home, and while there are touching and sincere moments, even these are undermined by an unlikely last-minute twist.
Plot Summary
Drama starring Cameron Diaz, Alec Baldwin and Abigail Breslin. Eleven-year-old Anna Fitzgerald was conceived to provide blood, bone marrow and stem cells for her teenage sister Kate who suffers from leukaemia. But when it's decided that Anna should donate a kidney to help save Kate's life, she throws the family into crisis by hiring a lawyer to protect her interests.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Sara Fitzgerald
- Cameron Diaz
- Campbell Alexander
- Alec Baldwin
- Anna Fitzgerald
- Abigail Breslin
- Judge De Salvo
- Joan Cusack
- Taylor Ambrose
- Thomas Dekker
- Kate Fitzgerald
- Sofia Vassilieva
- Brian Fitzgerald
- Jason Patric
- Jesse Fitzgerald
- Evan Ellingson
- Aunt Kelly
- Heather Wahlquist
Crew
- Director
- Nick Cassavetes
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