My Sister's Keeper Book Vs. Movie
Tuesday June 23, 2009
My Sister's Keeper is Jodi Picoult's first book to become a major motion picture. It will be released in theaters this Friday. The adaptation is not without controversy, however. The director decided to make the ending of the movie different than the book against Picoult's wishes and much to the outrage of her fans. I can't imagine how the story could work without the ending in the book, but at least I'll be in suspense when I watch the movie.
What do you think? Join the discussion in our forum about the new ending to My Sister's Keeper or leave a comment about whether you will see the movie despite the change.
Cover Photo Courtesy Atria
Comments
The ending ruined the effect of the whole story… plus they COMPLETELY left out her court appointed gardian Julia. Her attorneys seisure is out of the blue because they dont develope the story of his dog enough. Annas close relationship with her dad is left out. And the ending is the one you were expecting in the book but didnt happen. To me the book was amazing because of the written ending. this movie is an OUTRAGE
I think had I not read the book before seeing the film, the film would have been great. Overall it was acted out great, however, the ending was extremely disappointing. Also, a good few key parts were left out, such as Jesse’s outburst, the guardian, and of course the car accident scene! The movie was good, but the book was far better!
i read the book which i thought was amazing and just had to see the movie. i told my boyfriend that he would love the movie because i thought it would have been like the book. he hated it. i told him the book ending after the movie and he agreed that it would have been a better ending. i think they should re-make the movie with the books ending. because that was far better.
I was very disappointed with the movie. The ending to me captured the entire book, and the fact that they changed the whole thing was an outrage. Anna’s final gift to her sister was her life and that was the most important thing. Also the underdeveloped character of Jesse was sorely missed, I thought that the movie only focused on Anna, Sara and Kate, while the book was about the entire family’s struggle. Very disappointing.
I LOVED the book.. the movie left soooo many key parts out.. and it just didn’t empasise what it should have.. The relationships were not established in the film and the characters were undeveloped. Leaving sooo much out was very disapointing. The film does the book NO JUSTICE. And to change the ending is so maddening. How can you do that to such a powerful story!
I refused to see the movie because the book is so beautiful and powerful. Also, I think that some of the most winning characteristics within the family are glaring flaws that I assumed the movie would gloss over. Now that I know that they changed the ending-there is no way that I am going to go see it. Also, leaving out Julia? The story between her and Campbell is one of the best parts!
I just saw the movie yesterday and had not heard that they had destroyed the ending. I was sitting in the theatre thinking “what the ???” I was waiting for the payoff of the ending and I could not believe how they changed it. The book was amazing and intense and the original ending was so powerful, that I couldn’t wait to see how it carried over into the film. I was truly disappointed. Overall I thought the acting was fine, but agree with the other comments about the lack of development of Jesse & Campbell’s characters, however, in a 2 hour movie, something had to give, I just don’t think it should’ve been the ending.
I saw the movie yesterday. I prefer the book but the movie was also very good. At first I was mad about the ending being changed but after thinking about it more I kind of like both endings. I like the books ending because it was unpredictable. I like the movies ending because it seemed a bit more realistic since Kate’s problems were far deeper than just needing a kidney. Anyway, both the book and movie are beautiful and moving.
I read to book about a year ago and was so anticipating the movie release. What a disappointment. Jesse with the fires, Julie as the court appointed guardian and all the struggles that goes with it. The Ending OMG how do you totally change the ending of a book of that magnitude. Oh well, I guess that is why the book came first it was much better.
Also disappointed in the ending as that was what made the book an incredible read. If the author didn’t want the change how could the director go ahead without her permission? Movie was very touching but after reading the book it was a bit of a let down. Also would’ve liked to see more of the brother’s behavior played out in the movie the way it was in the book. I’d give it a B+
I can’t believe this. i was unaware of the change until i saw the movie, and i am very very disappointed. i agree 100% with everything ash said.
I liked both; and both had its pros and cons. The ending; I don’t know if we are allowed to add spoilers, but I will just said, just as sad but different. I guess Picoult and other didn’t like it because it was more predictable. The movie didn’t, as somebody else say, show much of his comments about the dog and which was this big mystery in the book. In the book different people asked him why he had a service dog and he gave a smart answer to everybody but a different one. And the whole time you wonder why. I guess they edited scenes from the movie though. Also, there was not as much of a relationship between Anna and Alexandra in the movie. All in all both were great.
I liked both the movie and the book, but more information in the book and they edited so much out.
I just finished the book and I have to say it was a tear jerking ending for me. Not what i was expecting at all. After reading the book I went upstairs to my girls room and sat there in the dark watching them sleep. It makes me not want to take any granted. Blessed to have two healthy baby girls, but not forget that time goes by so fast that making precious memory now so we won’t regret if anything should happen.
Have not seen the movie, but would be a bit disappointed if the ending was different. Too bad they left Julia out, it would be funny to see Jesse trying to hit on her!! ha!
I read the book some time ago, so I was a little hazy about everything that happened…
That being said, I did remember it being a REALLY good book… I was looking forward to the movie for that very reason.
WHAT a disappointment. The ending was HORRIBLE… whoever made the decision to change it should be relegated to getting coffee from this point forward. Seriously! I realize the book is almost ALWAYS better than the movie, but in this case, there was NO comparison.
Interesting tidbit though… I went with a friend who had NOT read the book and she thought it was a pretty good movie.
This movie is completely different from the book. My Sister’s Keeper is my favorite book but the movie was disappointing. They did not show enough of Jesse’s problems and Julia wasn’t even in the movie at all! I think they made a huge mistake changing the ending. It totally changed the message of the book!
I loved the story in the book.On a dif. note, I hated the books font set up switching per character. I finished reading the book on Father’s day so that it would be right before the movie came out. I made sure that I didn’t read any reviews as to not know anything about the movie. I went tonight with my daughter, her bestfriend and her mother to see the movie. If you didn’t know the story, it was a tear jerker movie. They loved it. I was dumbfounded that they left out so much of the intimate details of the book. I could not believe that they changed the ending… The fires were important to whom Jessie was, Julia should have been a big non-family character. They didn’t play out the friendship between Anna and Campbell or explain the restraining order etc.
This book was quite possibly one of the best books I have read in a long time. In the book the characters are developed so well.. obviously you can’t cram in everything in a 2 hour movie but THE MOVIE missed SO many important parts, they had a great cast and for the most part played their parts well but the following ruined it for me and many others :
JESSE .. was a COMPLETE trouble maker in the book, starting fires, his hobo friend, doing drugs, drinking.
Judge DeSalvo .. was obviously a man in the book but I found she was one character that did a pretty good job in the movie.
Sara’s Sister.. wasn’t ALL that involved with Kate until she needed help, because in the book she seemed too busy and too successful to spend much time with the family until Sara had asked for help.
Anna and Brian’s relationship was next to none.
Julia .. where the HELL was she?
and Campbell, the reason for the dog in the movie was pointless.
Terrible movie!!
Our book group really loved the book. I read it, handed it around and our group was formed (about 20 of us)–we even have a few members overseas. We’ve been really looking forward to the movie because the book gave us what we call a good “ugly cry”–where you can just let go and enjoy the emotions. However, after reading these comments and ALL the comments all over the web, we won’t be seeing the movie. No interest. Not the kind of movie most of us usually see and since they’ve mucked up the ending of this wonderful book, there’s no reason to go. Shame on the directors and producers!! You had good material and we would have loved to have seen it brought to film.
I really disappointed about this movie they changed almost every aspect of it that made it what it was. It’s ridiculous the ending was the key to the story and it all says it in the title my sister’s KEEPER, she saves her sister!
The book was 10000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 times more interesting then that silly movie, really!
After seeing the movie, I once again understand why I love books. I can’t believe how different the movie was from the book. The movie was about Kate; the book was about Anna. If I had been Jodi Picoult, I would never have allowed so many omissions and changes…it seemed almost like a different story. We all know Hollywood wants to sell tickets — not tell a story.
I won’t be going to see the movie.
I completely disliked the movie!!! i feel it contridicted the whole point and storyline of the book. throughout the movie i was preparing my mind to the demise of anne at the end and it never came! i was truly disappointed and so were many others i mean come on how clique was it for the “girl with kemo” to die! the best part of the book was that it was DIFFERENT than most sap stories why did the director have to change the ending! he stole so many viewers from the true emotional connection that i think would have brought the book to life
o ya n additionally they completely left out the role of julia!!!!! her character brought a much more personal feel to Mr alexander and would have tied in nicely with the complex story line. o ya n not to mention jesse! they said he completely turned his life around at the end an yet they never showed his drug problems or arsen issue lik they did in the book lik come on..
I did not read the book, but I LOVED the movie. However if I would have read the book I would probably be feeling like most of you, dissapointed. Books are always better then movies, thats just the way it is. But I must say I heard about the book ending and it would have been much more unpredictable.
i have to admit that i haven’t read the book yet. it’s on my to do list for tomorrow. but i do have to say that the movie was awesome. yes, the books are always better than the movies but come on. one kidney is going to save a leukemia patient? when i found out how the book ended i was horrified. yes it would have ended like everyone one expected and it’s not a clique that the girl with cancer dies. she had leukemia not cancer in the kidneys. getting different organs donated doesn’t cure her leukemia. i get you all LOVE the book but don’t bash the movie because it’s realistic.
I read the book and im more for the happy endings. so i didnt like the ending of the book very much. i didnt like how they just dropped jesse out of it after the dad found out it was him starting the fires. im going to see the movie this thursday so i just hope i will understand it.
Wow. This was an amazing book. I started reading 6 days ago on July 1st and i finishsed it today, july 6th.( while i was on Vacation in Disney World.) i wanted to cry in the middle of it!….I HATED the end but i stil love the book! im such a sucker for a sad story….im very disapponited to hear from my friends on how the movie ends. i was telling my friend about how great the book is and she turns to me and says “what the heck are you talking about!?” that never happens to Anna she said and then i was sad that i was going to go watch a movie with a different ending….BOOK IS 1,000,000,000,000 times better!
I was very surprised when I saw the movie and then ending had been changed. I thought for sure that when Anna and the rest of the family left the hospital room on that last night they were going to get in a car accident. The most amazing twist of the book was left out!! I think the movie was well done. With so many characters it is hard to develop them enough in an hour and a half. However, I think the choice to change the ending ruined the whole point of the story. Will there be an alternate ending on the DVD? Why was this ending chosen? Was it voted upon or did the director just up and choose it? Hmmm…
I must be the only person in the world who thought the original ending in the book was far too affected to be the bitter sweet tragedy-come-inspiration it was perhaps meant to be. As a result, i think i am also the only person in the world who didn’t mind the ending to the film. I actually thought it far more poignantly delivered the message originally cited by the author as critical to the book’s original ending; that sad things happen and sometimes they cannot be reversed.
I was extremely disappointed by the movie’s ending! In my opinion, the book’s ending is the morale of the story. It is a lesson in valuing all of your children. Life is fleeting. You never know what could happen or when!!
I am shocked that Jodi would allow this movie to be made when I significantly alters the story for the worse.
Deni – you couldn’t have said it any better! The book points out the fleetingness of life and to a degree you do get that from the movie, but COME ON HOLLYWOOD – stop trying to put pretty little bows on everything, life is just not like that!
I saw the film last night with my mate – who had not read the book – and wondered in there confident I wouldnt shed a tear, knowing full well the whole time as I watched Kate deteriorate, that she would survive. Even right down to the scene with Kate giving her mum the photo book she made for her….I kept thinking hey, when is this car crash coming? Come on!!
Gobsmacked, stunned, sorely disappointed and outraged describes how I felt when this did not happen. The ending of the book was the source and power behind the entire story. Instead of embracing that, the director has made the film a story about a girl who dies of cancer. Thats not what My Sister’s Keeper was about.
Leaving out so many other key aspects of the book also ruined the magic of the relationships throughout.
Also, as much as I am a Cameron Diaz fan, I do not think she was the right actress for this role. She is too young, and you do not associate Diaz as a mother. That was another killer for me – how could the director get it all so wrong?
Even down to the casting, this film did not AT ALL capture the magic and strength of the true story.
I went to see the movie last night and was astonished when Kate died. It totally ruined the film. That was the whole fascinating twist in the tale that made the book. I cant believe the writer allowed this miscarriage of story line. What a shame, thought it would be brilliant, but reminded me of one of those emotional films you find on random film channels made for women to have a good cry too. When I read the book the whole story, the characters stayed with me for a long time, in my thoughts, just when you think nothing will change everything does. The film was bland, what a shame.
The book and the movie really are two completely different stories.
The movie does a better job at realistically portraying the story of cancer. I worked with pediatric oncology patients and families and this is, so far, the most accurate portrayal of what really happens when a family is diagnosed with cancer.
The book does not center around the cancer as much. It’s about the legal battle moreso.
The ending of the book pissed me off when I read it. I found it too contrived and “convenient”. I liked the movie for telling an endearing and realistic story (albeit a much different one than the book).
I’ll never forget, it was about 4 years ago… I had just been discharged from the Amry and was on my way to the airport to catch my much anticipated flight back home. I ended up missing my flight and just wondered around the airport… I ended up in a book store where I spotted this book… the cover immediatley grabbed my attention then I read the back and was captivated. I read it on my flight home. It was an amizingly beautiful and inspiring story. I love this book. The movie… not so much… I still cried, but that’s because I am really emotional… I’m a crybaby. Eh… I kept telling my husband throughout the movie that this didn’t happen like this in the book and what about Jesse and all the things he had gotten himself into. Of course, when books are made into movies, they always leave out the important things or replace them with whatever vision the director has. HELLO???? The reason the book was such a hit was because it was well written!!! Why change it just to fit your big screen? Anywho, I still think the movie was alright. I wasn’t really expecting Cameron Diaz to do very good… but to my surprise, she did an ok job. Just ok though. Practice makes perfect, right?
I am writing an essay on the book and have just picked it back up after watching the film and the film makers have left the important parts of the book out. Most of the main story is gone it really all about Kate. Anna and Sara in the film, but the book is more spread about showing how the other charactors are affected by the cancer and how they deal with it. Jesse and Brian’s storeys are a main part of the book as they show a strong bond with Anna and how they help Anna cope with her mum and the court case. Talking to teacher i was told that the ending was changed because hollywood like to have happy endings but i think the books ending has more meaning and show that life is unpredictable and that your fait can change, but the film ruined all of that.
I was outraged by the changed ending.
I actually sat in my seat and said; WHAT?
Leaving Julia out ruined it for me aswell, as then we didn’t get to know Campbell as well as we did. Also, they left out how troubled Jesse really was, and what was this as him as an artist? I have to say, the only thing remotely similar was Kate and Taylor’s relationship… and even then there were differences. Overall quite dissappointed, but still quite incredible film making.
Was the point behind this movie that the director didn’t really want to make it so he destroyed it like a toddler having a temper tantrum? I would LOVE to know his reasons for leaving out critical relationships and altering the ending to what HE THINKS is the best ending- did he even read the book? If he had, then he would have know it is the author’s twists that keep readers coming back for more. The director missed the point – too bad.
I read the book, as soon as I was done with it wanted to see the movie. Talked to my sister in-law who saw the movie and we realized it was not the same as the book. After reading the post here…not going to see the movie. I must add the book was GREAT!
Read the book which was fantastic and thought I’d watch the film to put it all in pictures so to speak. Was bitterly disappointed as film bears little resemblance to the film. All important bits were left out
Anna’s relationship with her father
Sister coming on the scene
Purpose of Campbell’s dog
Anna’s relationship with Campbell
Julia??
The ending – well………?????
The list is endless
So glad I read the book and not relied on the film
Had I not read the book, it would have been an ok film. Cameron Diaz character was too bitchy in my opinion. Alec Baldwin was not the young, lean stud I was expecting for Campbell. I really missed Julia and all of the subplots that were left out. They were critical. The ending threw me for a loop. Why mess with a good thing? Movie gets ***, book gets *****.
Yes I read the book, & OOOHH God Did They change an leave out alot. But if your a fan & love this title then why should what i think stop you from seeing it. what the hell is wrong with the Anna Living? I think you all miss somthing, Kate ask her to do this so Anna counld have the life Kate never did, & in the way she became her sisters keeper. Realistically i think the movie hit home, but dramatizing & having the time too I think the book was great as well
Stop crying go see the movie & cry a little
The book was awesome definitely one of the best I’ve read in a while. I usually prefer to read books with magic in them, or that have a fictional theme like Harry Potter, Eragon, The Alchemyst, etc. Those books still remain high on my list of my all time favorite books, but My Sister’s Keeper is without a doubt the best “realistic fiction” book I have read. The minute I finished reading the book I wanted to see the movie, but to my dissapointment I found out that a lot of the book’s main plots and characters were left out. Plus, the movie is out of theatres anyway!! Ah well, I’m not too interested in seeing a movie way different from the book before it. However, i will definitely be looking out for the movie when it comes to DVD
It’s always a delemma; do I ruin a good book (by seeing the movie first) or do I ruin a good movie (by reading the book first). In this case I saw the movie first and absolutely loved it. I just finished reading the book; I read it in a day and a half as I couldn’t put it down. I have to say that I was devastated and angry to discover that Anna dies and not Kate. Even so it was a great read. In conclusion I would advise you to treat both the movie and the book as separate entities and enjoy both of them. I am glad however that I saw the movie first.
The movie didn’t come close to how great the book was. First off Jesse was suppose to be a misunderstood boy who was very troubled and starts fires. Second Julia who was an important character in the book was no where in the movie, and she helps us see another side of Campbell. And third, they barely talked about Campbell’s condition and how he got like that. And the ending was way off in the movie, Kate wasn’t suppose to die. The movie could of been a whole lot better, but it was ok.
Very disappointed in the ending of the book. Liked the movie better. Kate was the one who was supposed to die. The author would have us believe that this family who has been living on the edge for 12 years during Kate’s leukemic episodes gets over Anna’s death and all is cured???? Jesse becomes a police officer??? Kate goes into remission??? How does Jesse suddenly straighten out especially when Dad is hitting the bottle big time after Anna’s death. Are epileptics allowed to drive?? Poor Anna the donor child – it seems even her death is glossed over. All is well as Kate got her kidney??? According to the ethics committee they would not even have okayed the surgery due to her poor medical condition. I hate endings where the author seems to have had enough and just wants to get the ending over with as it appeared in this case. She didn’t need another twist as the twist was the fact that Kate put Anna up to the lawsuit. The movie had the more plausible ending.
I watched the film first and have yet to read the book but my mum told me the ending was different but didnt tell me what happened as not to ruin the book. i really enjoyed the film as i hadn’t read the book. i am upset that the director did not respect the fact that jodi picoult wrote that ending so that should be the ending in the film. i think i will enjoy the book more as the ending will be different.
Hi, well lets start with this. Jodi Piccoult is an amazing writer she can take a reader to a whole new world so deep that one can se themselves portraing every character in the book.In my sister’s keeper ,I , as the reader felt like all of the characters.kate; the fighter, Anna the giver, jesse; the misunderstood, dad, the provider and love giver and mom the nonsurrenderer if that’s even a word. in the movie i could not find myself connecting with any of the characters the whole aura about the movie was around you knowing kate would die and if you didnt read the book you hoping anna would donate her kidney.julia was a main character in the movie and she was cut off jesse was only used to speak once or twice in the movie the attorney’s breakdown was not the same way in the book and we never got to experience every character.Yes film is expensive and sure you are time limited but they should have incliuded alot of stuff they didnt. then ending killed it for me the way they ended it is in no way related to the point of the book how about the fact that kate should have been the one to live? or the way anna inpacted the attorneys life and julia’s ? what about the irony in the book that anna finally gets her liberty to die later own and save kate’s life? to me the movie killed the book. in no way can i relate the two. i felt very betrayed as a fan.
it is stupid how the ending canged i don’t like the movei
I haven’t seen the movie or read the book but apparently it is really good. What do you guys recommend is better?
I loved the book. And went to see the movie the otehr day and was very dissapointed. I hadn’t heard anything about them changing the ending and I am very dissapointed that it was changed. The ending to the book wrapped everything up and was just breath taking. Over all the movie was decent but it could have been beter.
I guess I was in the minority in hating the ending of the book, and appreciating better how the movie handled it. In fact, I thought the book ending was a cop-out, and, at the time I read it, I *wanted* the movie ending.
I thought the movie was beautifully done. Of course they had to leave things out — that’s typical for a movie adaptation. Otherwise, how could they possibly fit it into two hours?! But the core of the story remained as it should.
Honestly, if you’re going into a movie expecting it to be exactly like the book, your expectations are incredibly unrealistic.
I loved both the book and the movie. The movie had me weeping the whole way through and the book kept me on edge. all of these other posts saying how they should have made the movie with the book ending is rediculous..it would not have been rational at all because see, then it would all have been out of coincidence and thats not what people want to see, people want to see the truth and how it would have realistically happened. and also, people have been saying how the left out so much in the movie. its because they can’t fit everything into a movie, thus it would get boring for people who hadnt read the book. also, i thought jodi did a great job with the story of campbell and his dog in the book, it always kept you wondering about it and you finally find out in the end. i hate how everyone is so dissapointed with the movie! you cant expect it to be exactly the same as the book. if you are going into the theater with the mind set that its going to be just like the book, you are very unrealistic.
anyways, im guess im only one of the few people who loved both the movie and the book, and were dissapointed by neither.
I read the book and it was so sad that it really left a mark on me i have only read about 10 books as i used to think why read when you can see it on tv but i have only read books like twilight saga,host and kissed by an angel and other love books really between a man and woman nothing about family love.
and atleast you have both sides and you can pick which one you want 
to be honest i just wish she would have given her her kidney it worked everyone happy oh well.
The book i read in 3 days i couldnt put it down and the ending omg i couldnt believe it i wanted to cry so ad but i thought no keep reading maybe it was all a bad dream.
The movie when i saw it i was exspectin to see the same story line as the book and when i didnt i was a bit upset.
I really think they should of kepted the story for the lawyer the same it was so nice.
But i did like the movie ending abit for one reason is it stopped me from crying
See like many others i read the book and seen the movie as well and the movie did exactly what it was suppose to do in regards to the ending…..If we all read the same book then we know what the constant battle was which was the views of Kate & Anna and thats what the endings of the book and movie described….it gave you the outlook on both being happy the possibility of both living on….Book-Kate Movie=Anna everything else was well played and i think they did a terrific job on both….if you had seen one without the other or took account to when you was watching the movie to view it as you never heard the story as a new perspective you would have viewed it in that manner and felt for the character views for either Kate’s Struggle or Anna’s Struggle and realized how much of a beautiful story this truly was either within the book or within the movie….
i agree with Larfay, yes i have read the book, and no i haven’t seen the movie, but, it’s not the contents of the movie, it’s what you get out of it after watching it.
if you can honestly tell me that you have read the book, and cried (cause my friend who NEVER cries, cried in this book), and then watched the movie, and not cried
YOU HAVE NO HEART
sorry to be cruel but fact is fact
the movie is supposed to capture the life of a teenager battling the struggling disease, leukemia
THATS THE MORAL OF THE STORY
yes it sucks that they left out major parts, people, scenes
it’s still an inspiring story
and we shouldn’t be hating on Jodi for letting it go ahead, because without her amazing imagination we wouldn’t even be having this conversation
i never read the book, but i do plan on it. i heard it was amazing, and i thought the movie was soooo sad. it was a great movie though.
I never read the book, i have however, ordered it and plan on reading it when it arrives. I had heard about the book ending and so when i went to watch the movie, was quite suprised that it wasnt how my friends said. I think the ending to the film was good, but if they had followed the book and the book ending, it would have been better, and had the whole someones got to give to let go senario. I lvoed the film tho, really heart touching and a little tearjerker. The young girls in the film are amazing actors.
I just saw the dvd of the movie. i originally wasn’t going to see the movies because i loved the book so much but i went ahead and saw the dvd with my friends. IT WAS SUCH A MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT!!! Jesse and the lawyer was undeveloped and the ending changed the whole significance of the plot. I wished they didn’t focus on Kate and the mom so much and took the time to tell the whole family’s story, just like the book. All in all i give the movie a 6 and the book a THOUSAND!!!!
I like the movie ending better. Sorry Ms. Picoult, but I agree with Hollywood on this one. I know you like your snappy endings. The main point of the book was her emancipation and the family’s inability to see Anna as an individual and not a guinee pig. They brought her up to believe that everything she did was for her sister. Even filing suit was for her. Hollywood turned it around and showed both the family’s gradual acceptance of death and their acceptance of Anna as a living being all her own.
But…whether you liked the book or the movie, it’s still a great story.
I was extremely disappointed about the ending of the movie and the decision to exclude the character Julia from the movie. I think she was a significant part of the story and Jodi Pilcoult should not have allowed this to happen! I know she says she had no control over the movie, but surely it is her book, her ORIGINAL screenplay?
My friend, who has NOT read the book did not understand the part about Campbell and his dog at all! Way to undeveloped with his and Jesses character, i had to constantly explain to her what was happening!
I think Cameron diaz did a wonderful job, although strange choice!
I think Abigail Breslin was perfect! She portayed Anna beautifully
Personally, I liked both the Movie and The Book. They may have different endings and a few other changes, but over all they both made good stories.
I saw this movie a little while ago, and I had been wanting to see it for a while. Ive never been more disappointed. I cant believe they completely eliminated Julia’s character and her and Campbell’s subplot! It was amazing and so interesting! They didnt develop Campbell’s character at all, and his epileptic problem. They even changed his “backwards” name. Jesse was also extremely underdeveloped. The ending was the most apalling. I was so shocked and angry! The book made me cry because the ending was so unexpected! I still cant believe how they completely twisted the plot. Im awfully disappointed. Although I do agree with Shilo, Cameron Diaz and Abigail Breslin did a great job.
So disappointed. I am glad to hear it was against Picoult’s wishes that they changed the ending b/c if she agreed I was going to completely stop reading her books.
Both endings are fairly predictable, if they wanted a real tragedy, they would have put in that the surgery went terribly wrong and both died, but the movie’s ending was more realistic because one kidney won’t really change a thing and the surgery is treated like a deus ex machina cure all. The issue with movies is that when dealing with a drama or a subject like this, the director can’t develop loads and loads of characters otherwise they would have a three hour long movie filled with drama that no one can get up from. This also includes exposition and subplots, sometimes things need to get cut out so the movie doesn’t turn into a big depressing mess. With a book, if the atmosphere gets too heavy, a person can simply put it down and step away and think about it, but with a movie, the audience has to stay immersed. That’s why, in a lot of movies, there are comedic scenes interlaced with the drama to break the tension. Also, I feel as though the movie’s ending was somewhat more unexpected since I didn’t read the book prior to watching the movie. I actually predicted that Kate was going to live, but was surprised when she died. I think that it’s great that they brought in Cameron Diaz and Alec Baldwin, give them a chance to break their usual character molds and let them play serious roles. The movie was done very well and should be kept as a separate entity from the book since the mediums are very different. There’s nothing wrong with a happy ending and this one isn’t as bad as it could have been.
I was disappointed and furious at the end of the movie… why would you ever take such an amazing book and chance it into a movie and RUIN the ending. The movie left out characters… and wasn’t true to the book at all. I felt robbed. My mother and I read the book together and were looking forward to the movie… what a let down. The movie is typical and the book left you in shock.
To begin with OMG! This is one of the biggest disappointments ever! When I saw the trailers for the movie, I thought this looks like a good movie. But I had heard that the book was a lot better, so I went and bought the book and I absolutely loved it.
There are so many good things about it.
The effect of writing from many points of view worked so well in the book but the directors and producers of this movie just did not pull it off as well as I hoped. It was a technique used that made the book unique. SHOCKING MOVIE
Julia, where do I start? You cannot completely leave a character out. She was such an important character in understanding Campbell and they just left her out. Also, Campbell’s dog, also an important component of him and the purpose of the dog is completely misunderstood by the makers of the film. SHOCKING MOVIE
Jesse is completely a forgotten character in the movie, no reference to him starting fires or dealing with his drug addiction nothing. SHOCKING MOVIE
They didn’t even touch on the breakdown in the relationship between Sara and Anna, and therefore the leaving of Anna and living with Brian is not even addressed. SHOCKING MOVIE
And as for the ending. OMG is all I can say. That was the outstanding and the most memorable part of the book. It is predictable that Kate will die, that is why by having Anna die makes the book such a success. SHOCKING MOVIE
Overall generally a SHOCING MOVIE
I liked the movie, but the ending was very weak. The book had a more powerful and meaningful ending… Overall B+.
I loved the movie. the ending was more realistic and she got to go see taylor
Can’t even begin to explain how upset i am that the ending from the book did not appear in the film. I almost feel as if they are after robbing Jodi Picoult and the fans of the book somehow!
All the relationships in the movie where underdeveloped apart from kate and anna’s! Jesse’s character was completely different from the book, they even left out the part when Jesse pretended to be drunk so he could distract Sara (Anna’a mother) so Anna could visit her sister!
I just cannot understand how some of the key elements of this book were discarded! Where was Julia? Why wasn’t Brian’s hobby of astrology even touched upon? Why wasnt Cambell Alexander’s illness brought in to the story more and that is just the tip of the iceberg i could go on for quite a while with all the stuff they left out!
Now i know that with a book not every single detail can be added to a movie but i dont understand how some of the storylines of this book were not even considered! Cambell and Julia’s romance would of added a nice sub-plot considering the deep sadness of the main plot!
Im just so disillusioned at how a person could massacre a story of this magnitude!
Although on a lighter note, i must say the performances were excellent i really think that the main characters done the emotional content of the book justice! I would never in a million years have seen Cameron Diaz, while reading the book, as Anna’s mother, but she certainly done the character justice!
Overall, i believe the book to be far superior to the movie!
At least, with the book the reader gets to experience all the characters even julia’s wacky sister and the unseen, incredibly suprising twist of fate at the end which i will not ruin for you!
So if you haven’t read the book i strongly advise you to get it because you wont be able to put it down then see the movie and come to your own conclusions!
Happy Reading!
ABOUT THE MOVIE IS JUST LIKE THE MOVIE AND I THINK THAT THE MOVIE IS REALLY SAD DURING WHEN I WAS READING THE BOOK I CYRIED AND WHEN I BOUGHT THE BOOK I CXRIED AS WEEL SO I HOPE YOU LIKE MY COMEY
YOUR SINCERELY Bob James
This book was an amazing story about the struggles of each character and how Kate’s cancer affects everyone that cares for her. I enjoyed how Jodi Picoult had each chapter be a different character’s perspective of the situation. It really added more understanding and feeling to the story. Anna was in a tough position since she had to decide between what was right for herself, and what would keep her sister alive. People criticize how Sara acted, as if she only really cared for Kate, but if you were a mother you would do whatever you could to keep your child alive. Yes, Anna was born for the wrong reasons, but her mother loved her all the same, just didn’t show it like she should have. This book would teach lessons to any age group, and I strongly recommend it. I would suggest reading the novel first, then seeing the movie after. They go in two completely different directions, and give you alot of things to think about and compare. Next time you go to a book store pick it up, you won’t regret it!
one word….ANNOYED!!!!!
the movie was such an insult to the author of the book, I couldnt believe they left out Julia and some of the important relationship strengths (such as Anna & her dad) but to change the ending completly just shows how much of a dick the director was….sooo predicatable!!!
the actors did a great job portraying their characters though, so thumbs up to them!!!
Why does the movie have to be exactly like the book?! If I’d read the book before seeing the movie, I imagine I’d be surprised by the alternate ending, but disappointed? I don’t think so … when a story goes off in a different direction in a different medium, doesn’t it just create that much story to love?