WARNING: ENDING SPOILERS BELOW!Adapting a beloved piece of literature for the big screen is always a risky move, with fans of the book liable to revolt against anything the least bit unfaithful. Director Nick Cassevetes, who struck gold with his last page-to-screen endeavor, 2004's 'The Notebook,' is now angering some fans with his latest adaptation, 'My Sister's Keeper,' based on the book by Jodi Picoult.
The film's ending is dramatically different from the book's finale, and author Picoult has let it be known that she is none too thrilled: "I wrote the ending very intentionally because I wanted to leave the reader with a certain message," she said. "And changing that ending changes that message."
What do you think about the differences between the book and movie version? (And let us reiterate to those who haven't yet read the book or seen the movie: MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW!)
My Sister's Keeper' Photos
Director Nick Cassavetes, left, discusses a scene with Cameron Diaz on the set of New Line Cinema's drama "My Sister's Keeper," a Warner Bros. Pictures release. (Sidney Baldwin/Courtesy New Line Cinema/MCT)
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Abigail Breslin as Anna stars in New Line Cinema's drama "My Sister's Keeper," a Warner Bros. Pictures release. (Sidney Baldwin/Courtesy New Line Cinema/MCT)
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Sofia Vassilieva as Kate, from left, Cameron Diaz as Sara and Abigail Breslin as Anna star in New Line Cinema's drama "My Sister's Keeper," a Warner Bros. Pictures release. (Sidney Baldwin/Courtesy New Line Cinema/MCT)
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Cameron Diaz as Sara, from left, Abigail Breslin as Anna and Jason Patric as Brian star in New Line Cinema's drama "My Sister's Keeper," a Warner Bros. Pictures release. (Sidney Baldwin/Courtesy New Line Cinema/MCT)
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Abigail Breslin, co-star of the new film "My Sister's Keeper" appears on the NBC "Today" television program in New York Thursday, June 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
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Abigail Breslin, co-star of the new film "My Sister's Keeper" appears on the NBC "Today" television program in New York Thursday, June 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
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Abigail Breslin, co-star of the new film "My Sister's Keeper" appears on the NBC "Today" television program in New York Thursday, June 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
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Actress Abigail Breslin attends the premiere of "My Sister's Keeper" at AMC Lincoln Square on June 24, 2009 in New York City. "My Sister's Keeper" New York Premiere AMC Lincoln Square New York, NY United States June 24, 2009 Photo by George Napolitano/FilmMagic.com To license this image (57767067), contact FilmMagic.com
George Napolitano/FilmMagic.com
Ryan Eggold attends the premiere after party for "My Sister's Keeper" at the Loeb Central Park Boathouse on June 24, 2009 in New York City. "My Sister's Keeper" New York Premiere - After Party Loeb Central Park Boathouse New York, NY United States June 24, 2009 Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage.com To license this image (16851750), contact WireImage.com
Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage.com
Actress Cameron Diaz attends the premiere of "My Sister's Keeper" at the AMC Lincoln Square theater on June 24, 2009 in New York City. "My Sister's Keeper" New York Premiere - Inside Arrivals AMC Lincoln Square New York, NY United States June 24, 2009 Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage.com To license this image (57766258), contact WireImage.com
Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage.com
The Book: Anna wins her case, but before she can announce whether she's decided to give her kidney to Kate, she's involved in a car accident and becomes brain-dead. Her lawyer, who has power of attorney over Anna, grants the kidney to Kate, who lives -- believing that she was given a second chance because Anna took her spot in heaven.
The Movie: Before the case is decided, Kate and Anna's brother Jesse reveals that Kate no longer desires to undergo operations. Their mother comes to terms with the impending demise of Kate. After Kate dies, Anna's lawyer visits the house with legal papers claiming she has won the case and now has medical emancipation from her parents.
Related: When is it OK to change the original ending?
Reader Comments (504)
Ray at 5:59PM on Jun 29th 2009
Both versions were good. I understand that for the film anna's death would ahve been to unrealistic.
Both versions effected me very deeply and the different ending added a shock to the film.
doris at 10:47AM on Jul 2nd 2009
terrible ending in movie. shame on the director. Could't have been wore experience for me. I had told friends how great this book was and the movie would make them read the book. that the ending was profound, tragic, and full of meaning. boy did i let my friends down and they let me know it.
Patricia Hassett at 11:13AM on Jul 2nd 2009
Person # 2 they asked your opinion on the movie not vitamin supplement perhaps your on the wrong page or can't read.
The movie was a story about love between sisters. The mother played by Cameron apparently only felt a strong bond with her cancer stricken daughter Kate and the other daughter Anna was created for body parts. You could see the potrayl by Cameron that she had enough love to go for her daughter but the other youngest child/daughter not so much. Their is a scene in the movie at the end where the family goes back to Montana and Katte has already passed and Anna is sitting on a bench just looking at the moutains etc and Her mom comes over but you can see the discord. No hug or anything.
audyburton at 11:14AM on Jul 2nd 2009
I can not belive the director. I hope Jodi Picoult is mad at him for changing the ending. The movie was great but it would have been awesome if he went by the book.
jhappel at 2:23PM on Jul 2nd 2009
I hated the ending of the book, it was unrealistic and contrived. I was not going to see the movie for just that reason. Now that the ending seems to fit, I may go to the movie afteralll.
Death Mongers at 11:38AM on Jul 2nd 2009
I never read books or watch movies about sadness and death. Especially Children. I go to the movies and read books for ENTERTAINMENT. Doom, gloom and death surrounds us every day in real life. When I want to be entertained, I want to laugh, NOT to face death and dying. There is zero entertainment value in death.
abba at 12:33PM on Jul 2nd 2009
I agree!
Judy B at 12:34PM on Jul 2nd 2009
I don't understand how the death of the one character is any more unrealistic than the other? These authors should learn to keep creative control when they allow their books to become movies. Stephen King learned the hard way as did John Grisham. Both had their writings destroyed by Hollywood who seems to think they can make something "better."
megoingmad23 at 12:46PM on Jul 2nd 2009
i haven't read the book but i loved the movie it made me cry and thats a hard thing to do. believe me.
J Johnson at 1:20PM on Jul 2nd 2009
I believe as well that the book ending was not realistic, and the movie ending was. Having been through something similar, I believe that Kate's death would have been much more likely than Anna being in an automobile accident and Kate getting the kidney and living. What about when the next thing happens to Kate and there is no Anna. I'm just trying to take the more realistic approach. I can see where the author would be upset though. It was her story.
JJ
lena at 1:41PM on Jul 2nd 2009
"for the film, Anna's death would've been to(o) unrealisitic"
What kind of sense does that make? Films, by nature, ARE UNREALISTIC. They're fake.They are pretend.
The ironic ending that was written in the novel, would've made a FAR FAR FAR better film ending. The irony that Anna gets medical emancipation after Kate's death was predictable and far weaker than the irony of the book's ending.
It was still a good movie. I cried througout. However, it could've been a great movie had it stayed true to the book.
Phil at 1:37PM on Jul 2nd 2009
I completely understand the need for creative license, but to take someone else's work and change the outcome is like putting a moustache on the Mona Lisa and calling it an adaptation of Da Vinci. Either write your own screenplay, buy an original, or make the movie with the final script approval of the original writers....But I could be wrong...Although the play "Wicked" was awesome!...Did anyone actually enjoy "The Wiz"?....both variations on the original
B at 2:00PM on Jul 2nd 2009
I agree fully. The book's ending was the best, but in the movie, they also left out Julia. Julia was one of th important factors in the movie, and she caused Campbell to drive Anna home. But they probally just wanted it to be the most 'realistic' ending, but I would have loved to see the book's ending other than the alternative.
Siege at 4:38PM on Jul 2nd 2009
I absolutely loved the book. The movie was awful. The ending wasn't the only thing screwed up. I rolled my eyes when they started the 3rd montage. I wanted my money back when the 8th montage started playing. All characters were under-developed and I didn't care about them.
12 feakin montages..?
Sister Mary Rosensweig at 3:32PM on Jul 2nd 2009
Learn to spell "TOO." It's a tiny little word, and if you try, you can learn how to spell it in one afternoon.
Joyce at 6:32PM on Jul 2nd 2009
I did not read the book but I did see the movie. The ending of the book with the second daughter becoming brain dead and thus becoming the donor seems so very unrealistic. I felt that Kate was too sick for just a kidney transplant to save her life and I felt it was realistic, however sad, for the parents to have to deal with experiencing their older daughter's death. The message that the movie gave to me is that sometimes we need to understand that we can't control things and that we can survive even our worst nightmare.
Shannon at 1:36AM on Jul 3rd 2009
i agree exatctly that the book ending was right for the book and the movie's was right for the movie like the book ending would of came out of left field in the movie and a lot of people would of been confused/angry but in the boook it was still surprising but more set up for the right message i personally liek the book ending better but i understand why t wasnt used in the movie besides that i have no complaints even though my favorite character was taking out out of the movie completly and jesses storyline wasnt present i think they took the most and best of the best stuff for the movie :]
nancy at 7:58PM on Jun 29th 2009
why did you have to change the ending?????? that ruined it...I WILL NOT see the movie now!!!
niki at 9:04AM on Jul 2nd 2009
ok he was not obligated to have the movie just like the book whatever he want his movie to be that him..................................so I am sure he's not thinking about you not wanting to see the movie..........plenty r including me.
N Rose at 4:40PM on Jul 3rd 2009
My friend who read the book liked the movie very much. I think it is worth your time to go see it. The casting was perfect and it was very realistic. The book ending would have been too emotional and unrealistic in my opinion.