Product Details

• Actors: Diane Keaton, Juliette Lewis, Tom Skerritt, Giovanni Ribisi, Poppy Montgomery
• Directors: Dante Spinotti, Garry Marshall
• Writers: Garry Marshall, Alexandra Rose, Blair Richwood, Bob Brunner
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Letterboxed, NTSC, Widescreen
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround)
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Touchstone Home Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: September 7, 1999
• Run Time: 130 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (163 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6305531293
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,489 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "The Other Sister" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Filming a love story centered on two mentally challenged people is a touching idea, one that's been attempted in films such as Benny and Joon and even, to a certain extent, As Good As It Gets. The Other Sister is another addition to the genre, a well- acted comedy-drama centering on the romance of Carla (Juliette Lewis) and Daniel (Giovani Ribisi) and throwing in some general family angst as a secondary story line. The acting is tremendous--Lewis and Ribisi both give convincing performances without condescending to their characters. Diane Keaton plays yet another charming scatterbrain, this time as Elizabeth Tate, the uptight, rich mother who wants a picture-perfect life. But good acting isn't enough here. These fine actors drown in a sea of mediocre writing, and we're left with a film with no real conflict or tension. Will Carla and Daniel make it work? Well, of course. Will mother Elizabeth loosen up about her "gay workaholic" daughter and let Carla live her own life? Do you really need to ask? There are a few cringe-worthy moments that have a sense of truthfulness, such as when Daniel stands up at Carla's sister's wedding to announce his feelings. But otherwise, these characters live in a pampered, fairy-tale world where the worst thing that happens to them is that the meanies at school put chewing gum in Daniel's bike helmet. Ultimately, this is a sweet, albeit occasionally saccharine, tale that will move those who are looking for cheerful fare. --Jenny Brown

Product Description

This funny and uplifting romantic comedy features outstanding performances from Juliette Lewis (ENOUGH), Diane Keaton (HANGING UP, THE FIRST WIVES CLUB), and Tom Skerritt (CONTACT) in a great star-packed cast! Even though Carla (Lewis) has grown into a very capable young woman, her nervous mother (Keaton) still has a major meltdown when Carla announces she's in love for the first time! So as Carla and her new boyfriend (Giovanni Ribisi, GONE IN 60 SECONDS, SAVING PRIVATE RYAN) set out to experience all of life's great adventures, they're also out to prove that Carla has earned her independence! The latest big-screen favorite from Garry Marshall, the acclaimed director of PRETTY WOMAN and RUNAWAY BRIDE -- you're sure to cheer this feel-good treat!

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars More sensitive the more often viewed January 9, 2004

By Grady Harp HALL OF FAMETOP 50 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD

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 was able to read from the inside of the minds of the mentally challenged and find the mysteries and honest simplicities there, then this is the film. An outstanding cast and a very fine director in Garry Marshall make this movie a keeper.

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars The only movie I may ever BUY instead of just rent. December 18, 1999

By Ardell Coulter

Format:DVD

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 worse at dealing with all of this than the Mom. But, I expect these two roles were downplayed and plasticised to make the others stand out.

For those of you who feel real life is not represented here, I can tell you that you are wrong. Outcomes and day to day experiences may not be broadly represented, but the issues were clearly addressed with many of the true emotions experienced by family members.

The gay friend coming/not coming to events, the retarded person disrupting, sometimes comicly - sometimes with hysterical outbursts, anything and everthing that happens in the family. This is all very, very real. The ability of the retarded woman to be more caring and understanding of the gay sister than the Mom was right on target.

I never laughed so hard; I never cried so hard.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One Of The Sweetest Movies of 1999 January 30, 2000

By Eileen Visconte

Format:DVD

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 :)