On the topic of real life-like movies dealing with cancer, I have chosen to stick with a movie I had just seen within the last few months called “My Sisters Keeper”. Now, for some, this movie may be a little too graphic or too “real” as many told me, but I on the other hand felt very connected with it and recommend it to anyone. Of course a move like this one would bring anyone watching it to tears, but it was extremely inspirational and touching for those who have experienced the traumatic affects of cancer in general.
The story is basically about a young girl growing up with leukemia and her family doing everything they possibly can for her survival. The parents even went as far as to pro-create a child for the sole purpose of body parts and bone marrow- all was well and good for years until the young girl decided to spare her sister and made her take the parents to court for rights to her own body. This movie, although in some ways very hard to watch, can be extremely moving and inspirational to those interested. Although it turned out to be a very sad and depressing ending, still I felt the story line to be powerful and intense. This was a girl who lived her entire life fighting a disease she couldn’t fight for anymore and the only way she could go in peace was to make her little sister protest her parents against giving Kate (the young girl with cancer) her kidney. Ultimately, Kate ended up passing, but by her own choice.
The mother, played by Cameron Diaz, was somewhat of a control freak when it came to Kate’s health and survival. Her struggle and passion to keep her daughter alive was very moving, but yet so realistic to someone who has been through the disease as a child or young adult.
Watching Kate transition constantly from healthy to sick throughout the course of the film was like going back in time for me. I had forgotten a lot of what I had been through mainly because I chose to forget, but this movie most definitely reminded me! The struggle with chemo and treatments, loss of hair, the doctor to patient relationship and the patient to patient relationship was all too real for me. Of course dragging back all of those memories was not easy to think about when watching the film, still I felt very close to Kate’s character and the reminder of my illness brought me back down to earth. It’s the little things that really matter and I forgot about that at some points in my life as most people do.
There was so much I had taken advantage of before being sick that I was not aware of . Most importantly, it was the freedom of being a regular teen. I missed out on most of my senior year of high school which was supposed to be the best year of my life. While everyone around me was eating all kinds of food, I had trouble just keeping it down. Always complaining about my hair and how it was curly instead of straight and hating everything about the way I looked was nothing compared to what I was in store for through treatments. I regretted every idiotic remark I had made about my appearance or about anything in general. My mom always quotes this particular saying and I believe it to hold so much truth, “I once complained about having no shoes, til I met a man with no feet.” This basically states that we should be grateful for the things and people we have in our life instead of constantly complaining about them. Sure we all go through our ups and downs but the trick is to live and appreciate the ups and downs. It Doesnt matter what your story is, because everyone has one, what makes you stand out is how you take your story and impact others with your survival through it.
Now, how can this movie convince someone who hasn’t been through cancer or doesnt have any experience with someone who has been through cancer? Easy question to answer! Even though the graphics are somewhat hard to watch for those unaware of the side affects (mentally and physically), this movie can be used as a source of information in some ways. In order to realize that a certain disease exists, we first have to face it and know what we may be up against even if we dont experience it. I stress very strongly about that issue. Viewing gruesome realsitic details about the physical and mental changes a type of disease may cause can be fightening,(trust me I know!) but I feel it’s better to see it then not know at all.
The second reason (and most important reason) someone who hasn’ t had any knowledge about this disease SHOULD view this film is because of the lesson that is displayed. The lesson is easy guys…appreciate everything! Dont take anything for granted because it can be taken from you at any point in your life. Sure, Kate was a fabrication, but there are most definitely versions of Kate who are going through (or went through) the same situation. No matter how bad things may be in your life, they can always be worse!
The DVD is out right now and I believe will be coming out to cable TV within the next 2 months if not earlier. Although I haven’t read the book yet, I was told that it was just as good also. Go check it out!
I actually read the book before I saw the movie. I cried like a baby in both! It seemed to be very realistic in both the writing and the scenes. It was interesting to see your view on it though from someone who experienced it. Thanks for the input!
Great review on the film, I think you really added something to it by comparing how real it was for you, or how it brought back memories.