When Kate is diagnosed with leukemia, her parents genetically engineer a child, Anna, to serve as "spare parts" to help keep her sick sister alive. After years of invasive medical procedures, Anna gets a lawyer to sue her parents for the right to control her own body, throwing her family into chaos. The bonds of love that have held the family together begin to fray as Kate’s sickness worsens and the trial begins.

The ClearPlay Factor

ClearPlay removes a number of language elements, including an ‘F’ word and several ‘S’ words. Also trimmed are religious exclamations, some difficult scenes dealing with the realities of leukemia, and some sexual themes dealing with minors. Even with ClearPlay, the tone and message of this film are geared toward a mature audience.

Is this A Keeper?…

To its credit, My Sister’s Keeper manages to portray the gut wrenching reality and emotion of one of life’s most difficult situations without resorting to sappy, cheesy fluff. A fine list of actors keep things genuine and heartfelt, and the story invites us to ponder hard questions about how long to hold on to life and when it’s time to let go. Fans of the book will likely be disappointed in the filmmaker’s choice to create a wildly different ending, but even so, the film is worth your time.

Brian Fuller—Spare Parts for ClearPlay

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic content, some disturbing images, sensuality, language and brief teen drinking.; 109 min; Directed By Nick Cassavetes