Viewing: Nu Metro
Directed by Nick Cassavetes.
Screenplay Jeremy Leven (based on the novel of Jodi Picoult).
Executive Producers: Diana Pokorny, Stephen Furst, Mendel Tropper. Toby Emmerich, Merideth Finn and Mark Kaufman.
Producers: Mark Johnson, Chuck Pacheco and Scott L. Goldman.
Director of Photography: Caleb Deschanel.
Production designer: Jan Hutman
Editors: Alan Heim and Jim Flynn.
Costume designer: Shay Cunliffe.
Cast: Cameron Diaz, Abigail Breslin, Alec Baldwin, Jason Patric, Sofia Vassilieva and Joan Cusack.
I have not been speechless, because of a movie, for a very long time, and I have to be honest, for a while, I had nothing to say. My awe was confirmed in the very quiet cinema.The film begins with a very tranquil beginning, they seem like a very happy family.The story is about two sisters, Anna (Abigail Breslin) and Kate (Sofia Vassilieva) who have an amazing relationship, despite their age difference.
Sara Fitzgerald (Cameron Diaz) is a strong attorney, she is devoted to her husband Brian (Jason Patric) and their two beautiful children, Kate and Jesse (Evan Ellingson). Their life is changed forever when their two-year-old daughter Kate is diagnosed with Leukaemia. The only cure is to conceive another child, genetically conformed, to save Kate's life. For Sara it is about her child's life, even if it takes Anna's in return.The girls life's plays out into scenes about medical procedures and hospitals throughout the film. Sara has given up her career to take full time care of her daughter, she is bound-up in a life were her only goal is to save Kate's life. Her strong willed husband is at times passive because of her overbearing personality. Their son is, at most times, forgotten as the drama revolves around his two sisters.
The plot begins with Anna (11), seeking medical emancipation and she hires a lawyer (Alec Baldwin). The court case divides the family and with Kate's failing body time is of the essence. Anna and her lawyer share a rare bond, her knowledge of what she wants done is also quite astounding at her age, this is when one starts to wonder about the plot, although she seems very bright.There are very sad scenes where life happens as we know it, and one realises that it could be all over in a heart beat, with a gnawing sense that, that is exactly the purpose. I love Cassavetes work, he always captures something remarkable, humanity, love and nature. He has a way to tell a story that makes you walk out of a cinema, and think about it for years. He portrays the essence of what makes us human and the beauty in life. I like the way he can read a book and say: “This is a story I would like to tell.” Stories like these are so profound for our daily existence.The story has a surprising twist, and the plot changes. By taking Kate's life away, Anna is giving it back to her.
“When I was a kid, my mother told me that I was a little piece of blue sky that came in to this world because she and dad love me so much. It was only later when I realized that it wasn't exactly true.”
-Anna
Kate becomes the piece of blue sky. Truth comes in when one dies, life goes on. They all packed up their life's to save Kate's, and when she was gone, life just carried on. It is a movie surprisingly about healing and ultimately, letting go. Healing is a strange thing, one might think of the obvious definition, when indeed, it is not that at all.
The story is extremely truthful, from the questions the doctors ask, the reality of Kate's teeth that change colour to the depression she battles with in being ill all the time. I could not believe some of the questions because for the first time on screen someone told it like it is. It was an amazing story, full of hope, romance and yes, lots of healing, exceeding all my expectations. It is definitely a must see, you have to experience this beautiful tale and make it part of your DVD collection, you never know when someone might have the need to see it. There is a story and a purpose for everyone to see this.
It is worthy of a awesome 8/10.
See you at the movies!
