The Other Sister

More sensitive the more often viewed
THE OTHER SISTER is one of those films that becomes a staple in the home library. With every viewing the tenderness and good qualities just improve. Though the film industry is dealing more often with the mentally challenged these days (I AM SAM, RADIO, etc) few can equal the tender love story that is created by Juliet Lewis and Giovanni Ribisi. The family setup is well paced with the skills of Diane Keaton and Tom Skerritt et al and other issues confronting the modern traditional family are certainly touched upon - obsession with public appearances, coping with a challenged child, teaching sex education, the presence of a gay sibling, to mention only a few. But it is the overwhelmingly fine performances by Lewis and Ribisi that are of the quality of commitment that seeing them on repeated viewings just fortifies the brilliance of their acting. These two people are people we readily love and grow to feel their fears, pain, frustration, and dreams. If ever there was a film that...

The only movie I may ever BUY instead of just rent.
I have seen many reviews here already, so I will stick to what others haven't already said. For those who think this is drivel or offensive, I can say it is most poignant. I am buying it and my sister is buying it as a case study and therapy tool.

It helps us understand our Mom who had seven children, one of whom is severely retarded from menengitis as a baby, and one of whom is gay (both also women). It helps us understand how challenging it is for our Mom to overcome natural instincts to be over protective of our retarded sister. Also, natural feelings of embarassment toward both the retarded child and the gay child, which the mom hold's back with great effort. While this movie was about the sister, much can be learned about Mom's and their special challenges and limitations.

The film's unrealistic portions involved the Dad and the straight sister. The straight sister would probably have freaked out about her wedding being ruined. The Dad would have been...

One Of The Sweetest Movies of 1999
I remembr when I saw this movie exactly! It was an early screening with Rushmore being the second film(it was two movies in one kind of deal). I sat 6 rows back from the screen and absolutely loved the movie. Giovani Ribisi is a great actor with so much talent. And it is wonderful to see Juliette Lewis back in the movie buisness and being "clean" again. They story is absolutely sweet and shows how love can happen to everyone. I will not give away the ending, but I loved it :) Garry Marshall is a brillant director. I definately recommend that you watch this movie with the one you love :)

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