The other sister lives at my house. My little sister is mentally
handicapped and I went into this movie with ungodly expectations.
When I entered the theater, I knew that this movie would either
a) really suck or b) be really good. It was b). Admittedly the
situation of the two mentally handicapped individuals is highly
idealized; most mentally handicapped individuals are not high
functioning enough to be as independent as Carla Tate (Juliette Lewis)
and Danny McMahon (Giovanni Ribisi) are.
The acting in this movie is absolutely brilliant. Juliette Lewis
gives a mesmerizing performance as Carla Tate, a mentally challenged
young woman trying to live the most normal life she can. Carla was
sent away to a special school when she was younger because of problems
at school and within her family.
Shes now in her early twenties and she has graduated from the
special school. She returns home to her mom, Elizabeth,(Diane Keaton)
and her father, Radley, (Tom Skerritt). Carla leaves her old school
with sparkling dreams of having a job, a home of her own, and actually
attending a normal school. Her mother, however, is horribly over-protective.
She doesnt want her baby to be made fun of. After Carla runs away back
to her special school her mother decides that it might be good to let
Carla attend Southern Polytechnic. When she goes to register for her
computer class she means Danny McMahon, a mentally retarded young man.
Danny has a job, and his own apartment. His bills are paid by his
father through a family friend, Ernie. As though you couldnt see it
coming a mile away Danny and Carla fall in love. There are a few problems
though. Carlas mother does not approve of Carla dating and feels that
Danny is trying to take advantage Carla. This is the main conflict of
the film.
The writing at times can be predictable, but it is not mediocre
in anyway. The acting of all casts members is absolutely beautiful and
the portrayal of the mentally handicapped is superbly accurate. This movie
is a triumph not only for the characters on the screen but also for the
audience watching it. I recommend The Other Sister for anyone over
twelve who wants to come out of a movie feeling good.