The Other Sister
The Other Sister

The Other Sister

1999Movie130 minEnglish

A mentally challenged girl proves herself to be every bit as capable as her "perfect" sister when she moves into an apartment and begins going to college.

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Insights

IMDb5.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes23%
Metacritic37/100
Google Users65%
Director: Gary WinickGenres: Drama

Plot Summary

The film tells the story of Carla Tate, a woman with a developmental disability who has lived a sheltered life under her overprotective mother's care. When Carla meets and falls in love with a young artist named Danny, her mother's control is challenged. Carla begins to assert her independence, leading to a journey of self-discovery and a re-evaluation of family dynamics.

Critical Reception

The Other Sister received largely negative reviews from critics, who often found the film to be overly sentimental, melodramatic, and predictable. While some acknowledged the performances, particularly from Diane Keaton, the overall consensus was that the film failed to handle its sensitive subject matter with nuance or originality.

What Reviewers Say

  • Criticized for its heavy-handed sentimentality and predictable plot.
  • Accused of exploiting its subject matter for emotional effect.
  • Performances, especially Diane Keaton's, were sometimes singled out as a saving grace amidst the melodrama.

Google audience: Audience reviews suggest a mixed reception. Many found the film to be an emotional, albeit melodramatic, story about family and overcoming challenges. Some viewers appreciated the heartfelt performances and the portrayal of a relationship developing under difficult circumstances, while others felt it was too sappy and unrealistic.

Fun Fact

Jodie Foster, who plays Carla's mother, is also the aunt of Ben Foster, who plays Danny. This was Ben Foster's feature film debut.

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