My Sister's Keeper (2002)

Two sisters take a journey of discovery and reconciliation based on the memoirs of Margaret Moorman. Christine has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and must rely on others for support even... See full summary »

Director:

Ron Lagomarsino

Writers:

Susan Tarr (teleplay), Margaret Moorman (book)

Stars:

Kathy Bates, Elizabeth Perkins, Clark Gregg

2 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kathy Bates	...	Christine Chapman
Elizabeth Perkins	...	Judy Chapman
Clark Gregg	...	Harvey
Kathleen Wilhoite	...	Mona
Kimberly J. Brown	...	Young Christine Chapman
Hallee Hirsh	...	Young Judy Chapman
Lynn Redgrave	...	Helen Margaret Chapman
Ann Cusack	...	Grace (as Ann Cusak)
Nicole Sullivan	...	Alissa
Tony Amendola	...	Dr. Bartonio
Dylan Kussman	...	Leon
Alyson Reed	...	Mother Superior
Jascha Washington	...	Earl
Lily Knight	...	Barbara
Geoffrey Rivas	...	Jay

Storyline

Two sisters take a journey of discovery and reconciliation based on the memoirs of Margaret Moorman. Christine has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and must rely on others for support even though she longs for an independent and ordinary life. When her mother dies, her sister Judy becomes responsible for her care. The two are left to face the struggles of finding common ground.

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Plot Keywords:

first person title | woman with glasses | justice of the peace | catholic priest | priest | 

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Taglines:

Growing apart. Growing together. Sisters are forever.

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 January 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hallmark Hall of Fame: My Sister's Keeper (#51.3)

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

The family name "Chapman" was inspired by the real last name of a good friend of the woman who Christine Chapman was based on.

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Connections

Edited into Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951)

User Reviews

Another Award for Kathy Bates?

It'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.