Name: CABAYAO, NHICOLE SHANE T.

Year Course: 3RD YEAR – LFCO01 Date:

Movie Reviews

Title: My Sister’s Keeper

Directed by: Nick Cassavetes

Starring: Cameron Diaz, Abigail Breslin, Sofia Vassilieva and Alec Baldwin
Genre: Drama/Melodrama
Release Date: July 22, 2009

Synopsis: Conceived as a marrow donor for her gravely ill sister, Anna Fitzgerald
(Abigail Breslin) has undergone countless surgeries and medical procedures in her
short life. Though their older daughter's life has no doubt been prolonged, the
unorthodox decision of Anna's parents has cracked the entire family's foundation. When
Anna sues her parents for emancipation, it sets off a court case that threatens to
destroy the family for good.

Review:

"My Sister’s Keeper," directed by Nick Cassavetes, is a poignant drama that delves
deep into the ethical complexities surrounding medical decisions within a family. The
film tells the story of Anna Fitzgerald (Abigail Breslin), who was conceived for the sole
purpose of being a marrow donor to her gravely ill sister, Kate (Sofia Vassilieva). This
unorthodox decision by her parents, particularly her mother Sara (Cameron Diaz), has
subjected Anna to numerous medical procedures throughout her young life, straining
the family’s dynamics. The film reaches a critical point when Anna decides to sue her
parents for medical emancipation, seeking the right to make decisions about her own
body. This legal battle threatens to tear the family apart, as it forces them to confront
their moral and ethical boundaries. Alec Baldwin portrays Anna's lawyer, adding depth
to the courtroom drama that unfolds. "My Sister’s Keeper" effectively highlights the
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emotional and ethical turmoil faced by families dealing with life-threatening illnesses. It
raises profound questions about bodily autonomy, parental rights, and the moral
implications of creating a life to save another.

Rating:

Recommendation/in relation to Kant’s Theory:

The central ethical dilemma in "My Sister’s Keeper" aligns closely with Immanuel Kant's
Ethical Theory, particularly the principle of treating individuals as ends in themselves
and not merely as means to an end. Kantian ethics emphasizes that every person has
intrinsic worth and should never be used solely as a tool for achieving someone else’s
goals.

In the film, Anna is conceived and repeatedly used as a means to prolong her sister
Kate’s life, which raises significant ethical concerns. According to Kant’s theory, this
instrumentalization of Anna's body violates her autonomy and dignity. Kant would argue
that Anna should be respected as an individual with her own rights and not merely
valued for her utility in saving her sister.

By seeking medical emancipation, Anna is asserting her right to be treated as an end in

herself, challenging the moral justification of her parents' decisions. This conflict
underscores the Kantian ethical issue of whether it is morally permissible to infringe
upon one person’s autonomy for the benefit of another, even within the context of
familial love and desperation. The film poignantly explores these themes, leaving
viewers to ponder the balance between love, duty, and ethical principles.

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