The Other Sister
Tags: flashback

Plot synopsis:
A chauffeured car drops Dr. Radley Tate (Tom Skerritt) off at the Roselake school to pick up his daughter, Carla (Juliette Lewis). Carla is mentally handicapped and Radley is picking her up to bring her home after she's spent some time at the school. Radley holds out his arms to hug his daughter, but Carla just hands him a plastic bag partially filled with water and holding her goldfish, and she goes to hug the headmaster of the school, Dr. Johnson (Harvey Miller), instead. Dr. Johnson assures her she's ready to return home.As Radley and Carla are flying home to San Francisco, flashbacks show Carla as a little girl, having an outburst during dinner. Radley and his wife, Elizabeth (Diane Keaton), argue in the living room. Elizabeth insists that Carla needs professional help, and they enroll her in Roselake.Carla is welcomed home by her family, and her sister, Caroline (Poppy Montgomery), announces she's engaged to be married to her fiance, Jeff Reed (Joe Flanigan). Carla hands her mother a bunch of necklaces she'd made at the school; one for everyone in the family.After dinner, the family gathers in the living room (it's seen now that the Tate family is wealthy, and lives well). When Jeff mentions the subject of his doctoral dissertation, Elizabeth drops a not-so-subtle criticism of Caroline's job teaching second grade at an elementary school, despite the fact that Caroline enjoys doing it. Carla announces that she wants to finish public high school so she can become a veterinarian's assistant, but Elizabeth declines to talk about it right away. Elizabeth is seen to be a rigidly controlling mother who's not about to surrender that control even though all three of her daughters are grown.As Elizabeth leads Carla upstairs, she has a flashback to an unpleasant memory from her childhood, which shows that she can't handle being laughed at. As Elizabeth leads Carla into her room, we see that Elizabeth has redecorated it, and doesn't understand why Carla doesn't like it. Carla closes her eyes to remember her room the way it was.Trying to make it up to her daughter, Elizabeth tries to take Carla shopping, but her controlling nature continues; and she's not very opening to indulging Carla's tastes in clothing or shoes. At a meeting at an animal shelter that Elizabeth supports, Carla lets out several dogs from their enclosure. Elizabeth makes a stink about this with Radley at home, and her voice is raised to where Carla can overhear. Distraught, Carla packs a few meager belongings and runs away. The Tate housekeeper, Winnie (Juliet Mills), finds a note that Carla left behind.Police pick Carla up on the road where she'd been trying to hitchhike, and return her to Roselake, as that's the address Carla gave them. Radley and Elizabeth go to pick her up, and Dr. Johnson discusses the police report, in which Carla had complained that Elizabeth is smothering her; something Elizabeth can't understand. She protests she took Carla to the pet shelter with the hopes that Carla could get a job there, and that she enrolled Carla in a few hobby classes. So single-minded is Elizabeth in controlling Carla's life that she can't listen to Dr. Johnson trying to explain that Carla didn't like the classes. Elizabeth insists that as the mother of a developmentally disabled young woman, she knows more about what works for Carla, than Carla does. Dr. Johnson counters by explaining that despite her disability, Carla is stubbornly independent, and this trait has to be cultivated. She wants to attend a public vocational school, and Dr. Johnson is positive she can thrive there, despite Elizabeth's protests. Dr. Johnson says that giving Carla more control over her own life is the only way she'll gain dignity.Radley enrolls Carla in Bay Area Polytech, and although she finds it wondrous. she is able to keep her head on straight. She nudges a young man who also appears to be developmentally disabled, who'd nodded off while waiting in line. She attends her classes, including elementary computer use, and does her homework at home. The next day, the young man she'd nudged awake, Daniel McMahon (Giovanni Ribisi), finds her and introduces himself, and thanks her for helping him with registration. Carla's gotten out of school early and was on her way to call her father so he could pick her up, but Danny, much to her great surprise, invites her to have a soda and a burger with him.Danny takes her to a diner where a lot of bus drivers go. Danny regularly rides buses to see marching bands at college football games. He even has a job working with a marching band; although it's not a paying job, he gets to keep marshmallows that fans throw at the tubas (trying to get them into the tuba bells, as a prank). He also helps bake cookies at a bakery, and this job does pay. Carla writes some notes down, which she says she does because she wants to work one day as well. Noting the time, Carla says she has to get back to the school so she can meet her father. Danny brings her back and stuns her by talking about how he has his own apartment, living alone. Carla is amazed hearing about all the things Danny can do living on his own, and her eyes are seen lighting up. Danny says he thinks Carla would be able to do this as well, if she wanted.Carla's family celebrates her 22nd birthday, and discuss some of her latest accomplishments. Carla drops the hint there, that she might be ready to live in her own apartment. Elizabeth refuses to discuss it, instead trying to get Carla to open her presents. Getting upset, Carla gets up and goes back to her room. Radley, Caroline and the oldest sister, Heather (Sarah Paulson) all grill Elizabeth over her overbearing attitude; Heather insisting that there are increasing resources to help disabled people live independently. Coldly delivering a biting remark that Heather doesn't live at home anymore, so she doesn't get a 'vote,' Elizabeth has an outburst over how Carla is her daughter and she is going to protect her, no matter what. Radley has it out with his wife, getting angrier when she dismisses him over his having been a drunk when Carla was first enrolled at Roselake. Fed up with Elizabeth's overbearing attitude, he decides to skip dinner when Winnie announces it's ready.Distraught, Elizabeth sits and cries while Radley goes to work on his boat. Elizabeth finally joins him and tries to talk reasonably. Her fear of losing Carla so soon after she's just come home is plain on her face. Radley assures her they have to trust Carla.Elizabeth, sitting at the dinner tables, calls out to see if anyone else is going to sit and eat. Caroline, Heather and Radley all come in, wearing the necklaces Carla made for them. Winnie is also wearing hers. Elizabeth gives in and says she'll agree to Carla getting her own apartment; news that cheers Carla up in a hurry.Picking Carla up from school, Radley sees her saying goodbye to Daniel and notes that Carla likes him, although she calls him a friend instead of a boyfriend.Elizabeth takes Carla out on a walk in a park and carefully tries to broach the subject of Carla being taken advantage of by young men who are guests in the apartment she'll soon be getting. Much to her relief, Carla shows she knows how to handle it, and that she understands sex better than Elizabeth thought.Carla takes a bus and, with the aid of a map, finds her way to Danny's apartment. He plays one of his marching band CD's for her and starts to march around the room, waving a pencil like a baton. Danny is friends with the building manager, Ernie (Hector Elizondo), who's also a musician and a painter. Danny's father sends Danny's allowance checks to Ernie.The two of them watch the movie The Graduate, and as it ends, Danny asks Carla if she'd like to be his girlfriend. She thinks a moment and says okay. Danny puts an arm around her carefully and just sits like that.In the meantime, a real estate agent is with Elizabeth, playing tapes of himself showing various apartments. He hesitantly says that the building managers, who are aware of Carla's condition, want to know if she'll be responsible. Elizabeth defends her daughter and says she's very adamant about wanting to be on her own. The realtor continues playing the tape, and shows an apartment that Elizabeth thinks will be perfect.Carla hurries to the bakery where Danny works to tell him the news. She moves in to the apartment in two weeks. Later, he brings her to the university where he volunteers, and introduces her to the marching band members. The bandmaster gives Danny a treat, letting him conduct one of the band's numbers.Later, Carla is talking to Heather over the phone, telling her that she's going to a dance with Danny. Heather tells her how she can get a makeover at a mall.Carla goes to one of the malls and a salesgirl says that one of the salons is giving a free makeover demonstration, but Carla finds out the hard way that it's not as free as she thinks-- they only do one half of her face; finishing the job will cost $50, which is $15 more than another mall across the way.Elizabeth cleans Carla's face up and tries to reassure her that she looks fine the way she is. Carla asks if Elizabeth will show her how to dance, and the uptight Elizabeth lets her guard down for perhaps the first time, having some real fun at it.It's Halloween, the night of the Polytechnic dance, and Carla is made up like a swan. Elizabeth is horrified at first when Danny arrives, dressed in a dog costume, and Carla introduces him as her boyfriend. But Radley reassures her and she tries to put on a brave face.At the dance, a faculty member says first quarter grades are posted downstairs. Carla and Danny go to see, and Carla is delighted to find she's passed. Danny, however, has failed, just under the passing margin, and gets very upset, frightened that Carla would think he was dumb. Carla tells him she could never think that. Carla leans in, and the two of them kiss.Radley and Elizabeth talk while sailing around San Francisco Bay. Even while she loves them, she still has criticisms about Caroline (who enjoys teaching at a job that pays less than she's capable of earning), and Heather (who is lesbian, much to Elizabeth's consternation), and how Carla wants to go out and conquer the world. Radley has to reassure her several times that the kids are all doing fine, and the whole family is doing fine.It's move-in day; Carla's first day in her new apartment. Elizabeth's overprotective nature returns and she places a number of fire extinguishers and a list of to-do things when Carla goes out near the front door. Both Radley and Carla have to tell her several times, not to worry. Carla takes some time to enjoy being on her own for the first time, laughing when a soft drink makes her burp.On a date with Danny near her apartment, Carla says she wants to be friends for a long time. But Danny comes bearing bad news: Danny's having failed classes has resulting in his father cutting off the allowance Danny was sent for the rent on his apartment, and he might be forced to move to Florida to live with his mother.Later, back at Danny's apartment, he and Carla are kissing romantically. Carla starts getting aroused; a feeling she's not familiar with. They start talking about sex and love, and Danny says he loves Carla more than either of his jobs. Carla is happy with this and says she loves Danny too.Not wanting see Danny have to leave, Carla talks to her parents, hoping for Danny to be able to move in with her. This time, however, both Radley and Elizabeth disapprove, albeit for different reasons. Elizabeth thinks Danny sees Carla as just a 'rich girl,' because the family has money. Radley thinks that Carla's feelings for Danny are a mere crush and a 'harmless flirtation,' as Radley calls it.But at Carla's apartment, it's seen that the relationship is no mere crush; Carla and Danny are reading a book on sex. Danny was hoping for his first real intimacy with Carla right away, but Carla wants to wait until Thanksgiving because the nature of the holiday will make it special in her eyes.Days pass, Carla and Danny's relationship continues, and Thanksgiving comes. Carla goes home and helps Winnie with some of the cooking. After the meal, Winnie bundles up some of the leftovers for Carla, which she brings back to her apartment and shares with Danny. Afterward, they're feeling passionate, even though scared, as this would be the first time for either of them. Danny puts on some music: the marching band number 76 Trombones.Winnie sees the look on Carla's face and knows she's in love. Elizabeth sees that Carla looks different too, although she doesn't see the why of it, the way Winnie does. Daniel gets a call from his father, and it doesn't go too well. Danny's father feels he's sent enough money to Danny and now Danny's mother should start. Danny gets drunk and Ernie tries to console him; trying to be a friend that will calm Danny's feelings.The Tate family is getting ready to go to a Christmas event at their country club. Carla is happy because Radley has consented to Carla bringing Danny as her date, but Heather isn't too pleased that she can't bring hers. Elizabeth still balks at meeting Heather's girlfriend and lover; something Heather sees as hypocritical because Eliabeth claims to support gay rights and causes.At the party, Danny admits to Carla that he's afraid of her family. Carla says that she gets scared sometimes as well, but that it's important to be brave, because then they can say what makes them comfortable. Unfortunately, Carla doesn't know that Danny had already talked about bravery with Ernie-- Ernie had told Danny it's one of the reasons people drink.Danny goes to the bar and drinks, while Jeff addresses the guests about how he met Caroline and how they'll be getting married next month. As Caroline dances with Jeff, a slightly drunk Danny marches up to the podium, grabs the mic and starts telling the guests about his love for Carla, and he wants to be able to bring her down to Florida with him if he has to move there. But, Danny then starts telling about his intimacy with Carla during Thanksgiving, even starting to sing 76 Trombones, the music he played that night. The other guests all think it's a joke and start to laugh uproariously. Carla, thinking they're laughing at her, loses control and screams at them all to stop. Carla can't stop crying and the Tates have to hurry out of the party.When Carla is alone in the limousine, Danny runs over and tries to apologize. Still heartbroken and out of control, Carla lets all her anger out and does the last thing Danny likes-- she calls him stupid, and that she doesn't want to see him again. Danny responds the only way he knows how: saying that he's also done with Carla and that she's stupid too. The Tates regroup to drive home and Radley asks a country club official to make sure a cab brings Danny safely home. Even as they ride away, Radley tries to assure Carla that Danny simply had too much to drink and didn't mean to embarrass her.Carla notices Danny's bike missing from its spot on the rack back at Polytechnic; Danny is spending time at the football stadium where the band he's friends with, plays. Danny gets on a train bound for Florida, as Carla sits by her window on a rainy night, drawing a heart in the condensation on the window.Tensions rise at a wedding rehearsal for Caroline and Jeff. Heather is still upset because Elizabeth won't let her bring her girlfriend, and Carla understands Danny has left town and she'll have no date. Caroline sees this as an intrusion on what's supposed to be the happiest day of her own life. Elizabeth desperately tries to hold the family together.On the train, Danny rambles to his seatmate about the movie The Graduate, talking about one of the subplots. He stops suddenly, a look of thought on his face, realizing it applies to his relationship with Carla. The train has stopped at Deming, and Daniel runs off and rings for the station attendant, asking to exchange his ticket so he can return to San Francisco... unaware he'd accidentally left his ticket on the train. Danny must hitchhike to get back to San Francisco, while Carla parties with Caroline and Heather in Caroline's room at the Tate house; a bachelorette party. Caroline and Heather try to cheer Carla up when she wishes to be able to see Danny again.Caroline's wedding to Jeff begins; a lavish black-tie affair in a large church. A small truck carrying a horse drops Danny off, but an usher stops him from entering the church, thinking he's a homeless person. Danny trots away and around the corner as, inside the church, rings are being exchanged. As the priest begins reciting some church material about marriage, the guests start to become aware that someone is throwing small marshmallows around. Jeff catches one in his mouth and the audience laughs.One of the marshmallows lands on Carla's bouquet, and she knows what it means. Danny has found another way to sneak into the church and is hiding in the organ balcony, throwing the marshmallows to get her attention. He swings down from one of the tapestries and Carla hugs him.Taking a moment to look at all the gawking guests, Danny raises his voice loud enough for them to all hear, asking Carla to marry him. Carla says yes. There's a brief moment of applause before Elizabeth takes charge, apologizing to the guests and saying Carla and Daniel will join the guests on the pews so that Caroline's wedding can be concluded.The wedding ceremony finishes and the reception begins. Carla approaches Elizabeth to ask if it's time to plan a second wedding. But yet again, Elizabeth tries to argue with Carla-- not a good idea with Carla being as stubborn as she is once she puts her mind to something. Raising her voice that her eyes are not closed, Carla storms out of the reception hall; Elizabeth running after her.Finally fed up, Carla puts a foot down with her mother, seizing control of her own life once and for all, telling Elizabeth that she'll plan her wedding to Danny by herself, and Elizabeth doesn't have to come if she's so set on seeing Carla find a better person. Carla says she and Danny are who they are, and Carla can't play tennis or paint art, but she can love... and she and Danny are in love. Refusing to stay for the rest of the reception, Carla runs home.Carla knows that in order to do the wedding the way she wants, she and Danny have to pay for it themselves. They make an agreement with the priest of a smaller church. The wedding will be less formal than Carolines, and aside from inviting Caroline and Heather, Carla invites some of her friends from Polytechnic. Much to Heather's delight, Carla tells her to bring her girlfriend as her date.Radley wasn't at breakfast, because Carla asked him to give a pep talk to Danny, including responsibility and bravery (without drinking). As Elizabeth pointedly leafs through a magazine, Radley tells her he's going to the wedding. Carla wouldn't accept any of her parents' money to cover the wedding's costs, but Radley will be there to walk Carla down the aisle.The number of guests at Carla's wedding is small; aside from Caroline, Heather, Winnie, Jeff, Heather's girlfriend Michelle (Tracy Reiner), and a few of Carla's friends from school, there's Ernie, Danny's mother and her boyfriend, his boss from the bakery and a few of his friends. Ernie plays guitar and sings, 'At Last' by Etta James.Radley walks Carla down the aisle. Instead of an organist, a radio plays the wedding march theme on tape. Carla and Danny have decided to speak their own vows. Carla accidentally slips up, saying she takes Danny for her wife. But Danny and the priest reassure her and she continues with the vows. Carla and Danny are so enthusiastic they can't wait for the kiss; the priest having to gently remind them to exchange the rings and let him make the pronunciation of them as husband and wife.The wedding has just concluded when Carla turns, looking down the aisle. Elizabeth has shown up. Carla is very happy to introduce Danny to Elizabeth as her husband. Elizabeth seems to have finally started to learn how to put a leash on her parenting nature and accepts a hug from Danny, welcome him to the family. Heather is also able to introduce Michelle to Elizabeth face to face.As Danny and Carla get into the wedding car, Danny calls for everyone to wait a few seconds. The sound of drums comes into hearing. The college marching band comes marching down the street in full dress regalia, playing 76 Trombones; Danny's present to Carla. Carla smiles in delight and kisses Danny. Radley and Elizabeth wave goodbye as their daughter, and her new husband, ride off.

Review: I really couldn't care less if this movie portrayed these type of people the "right" way or not (this *is* a fictional piece of work after all) because I saw the ideology behind the movie instead of just the movie itself.What I took away with me from this film is that you shouldn't care about what anyone thinks about you, not your mom or your dad or your friends and relatives either, that you should just try and live for the things that you love and enjoy.
I'm definitely going to try to find this movie and buy it the next time I'm out and about.By the way, in case you were curious, this was just written by a 24 year old straight male.
The family was well portrayed; from the beginning with the father not wanting to admit his daughter had a disability, to the mother dealing with the guilt of putting her daughter away by trying to make up for it almost a decade later.Excellent cast (Lewis, Ribisi, Keaton, Skerritt, etc.) and I loved how the disabled characters were believable.
The Other Sister is a tremendous movie about all the true features that mentally challenged people face and strive for in every day life.
Ribisi is just as magnificent as the sensitive Danny.Their innocence and forthright honesty on the one hand, will both shock you and disarm you, while the normality of these 'abnormal' people will truly make you rethink your attitude towards those who are not 'like us'.I use inverted commas because, with this movie, nothing is certain, and old prejudice is challenged and overcome, as these two beautiful people overcome their adversities.This movie will make you laugh, cry, and cheer.
It is one of those films that critics will say is too much like a tv movie or sitcom material...but you can't help but fall in love with the characters and care about the situations they are put in.
Juliette Lewis and Giovanni Ribisi both put in fabulous performances, as did Diane Keaton.I laughed, cried and waited in anticipation for the next scene.
The plot (and I use the term lightly) centers on the life and loves by a young "retarded" girl who returns home after having been sent to a 'special school' by her guilt ridden, extremely wealthy parents for several years.
I cannot remember EVER seeing a film that was so offensive!"The Other Sister" refers to Juliet Lewis' character, a mildly retarded girl who is often ignored by her matriarchial battle ax of a mother (Diane Keaton.) It is clear that this movie is trying to show that mentally handicaped people are capable of overcoming difficulties.
I don't think the movie is made for us to laugh at disabled people, it just helps us to know them a bit better, to give them the respect and chance of having a normal life.The acting is excellent, Lewis and Gibsi did a very good job.
I believe the mindless writer of this film was aiming to create characters which were on the same mentality level as my brother, but didn't bother to actually find out where that was.Instead the "challenged" characters are crimped, primped, and all but gifted in comedic timing.
He condemns his characters to a slew of social mishaps and disasters, never bothering to draw much genuine emotion out of his drowning cast.Anyone who enjoyed this film has very little knowledge of or contact with the mentally challenged, which means they have avoided some pain and heartache, but which also means they have missed out on some of the most sincere, honest people the world has to offer..
Focus this time on a self-consciously "sensitive" theme about understanding the mentally handicapped, and you've got "The Other Sister."So what do you say about a heavy-handed movie that contains good, sustained performances of difficult, but mediocre, material?"The Other Sister" is a movie about two mentally-retarded people, Carla, and Daniel,who want to become independent of the smothering influences of their rich protective parents.
Once they find each other, they feel that they can lead more normal lives.To be fair, "The Other Sister" does toy nicely with the 1967 film "The Graduate" both in its story line and in the symbolism that both Carla and Daniel are ready to "graduate" from their parents and leave behind their sheltered, child-like lives.But "The Other Sister" is disingenuous:  it is calculated to be safely above reproach.
Is this any different than Jerry Lewis or Adam Sandler playing the "retard" just for laughs-except that they make no pretense about what they're doing?And "The Other Sister" is calculatedly safe:  To make the story's premise even palatable, it is set in the care-free world of the rich without many of the real world hardships that most of us face.
This upper-crust world is so cuddly and life there is so easy that even the Vietnam Vet-who wears a beret and lives in the basement with his memorabilia, peace signs and MIA flag-is friendly, understanding, supportive, and an "all-together good guy."  In this world, what does it matter if someone can't fully function-the maid makes your Halloween costume for you anyway.Oh well, at least, "The Other Sister" shows more responsibility than most Hollywood movies by not actually showing the love scene and by recommending safe sex practices.
The actors were convincing, but I gave the same caliber performance in 8th grade when my friends and I would set up our parents' video cameras and act like mentals (And don't look down at me, you know you did the same thing too).Overall: Nothing too deep, interesting, or generally stimulating.
The Other Sister lacks the depth of thought this difficult topic deserves.Also, although the film does show Danny's struggle to find work, it barely touches on Carla's.
Her mother finally relents and Carla goes to vocational school where she meets Danny (Giovanni Ribisi) with similar problems.Director Garry Marshall can't help himself in making a broad rom-com out of this material.
I have loved Giovonni since he was on the NEW Leave it To Beaver show in the 80's.So this was a refreshing love story and also let you see how a family trying to handle this situation, even with tons of money still go through difficulties.My fiancé enjoyed this film too and we would recommend it to anyone who just wants a break from movies filled with explosions..
"This is supposed to be good?" I asked myself, and as I continued to watch, the room became more and more hostile as I commented at how bad the movie was from a technical stand point, the acting, writing, cinematography etc...and my Mom can't see what I'm seeing, well, if you have the patience to watch this film, I'd seriously question your motives.
In this film, about a frustrated mother trying to cope with a mentally disabled daughter, there is a message for all of us - that we all need our independence and wish to fulfil our desires for happiness in our own way.
While Carla (Juliette Lewis)and her lover Daniel (Giovanni Ribisi) both disabled hold us in a state of nervous fascination,it is Diane Keaton who holds the storyline together.
While the sometimes talented director Gary Marshall tries to make us 'feel good' about the story of two mentally handicapped people trying to find true love, the result is BORING.
The Character Carla in this movie (Played by Juliette Lewis) did challenge my life and it encourage me.
Based from the comments of those who didn't like the movie, I think I'd feel better watching in the comfort of home.
My child has a full set of working brain cells and, even though I work with a number of cognitively delayed children in a high school, I don't know what it's like to try to raise a child who will never come up to the intellectual equal of the middle of the Bell Curve.With this in mind, I entered into the contract of watching Gary Marshall's The Other Sister, hoping that I'd learn something about mentally retarded children and their desire to be independent, to be considered self-actualized, to be free.What I got were fine performances by Juliette Lewis and Giovanni Ribisi, and just another story of the trials and tribulations of the UMC.
Directed by Garry Marshall, "The Other Sister" is supposed to be a romantic comedy about two mentally challenged people that meet and fall in love.
While dealing with an overprotective and overbearing mother (Diane Keaton), Carla enrolls in the local community college, meets Danny (Giovanni Ribisi), falls in love, and decides to move out on her own.
The Other SisterYou know that you are the black sheep of your family when you have to spend the entire family reunion locked in the attic.Thankfully, modern laws forbid the parents in this romantic-comedy from confining their disabled daughter.Returning home to her ashamed parents (Diane Keaton, Tom Skerritt) after an extended stint at a special needs boarding school, Carla (Juliette Lewis) has a hard time adhering to her stern mother's house rules - so she leaves.Eventually she starts dating a mentally disabled boy, Daniel (Giovanni Ribisi), causing even more tension between her and her mother.
Meanwhile, Lewis and Ribisi's performances are profoundly poisonous.Besides, if retarded people can get married why can't the mentally disabled?Red Lightvidiotreviews.blogspot.ca.
That movie had worse acting than this.Juliette Lewis plays a mentally challenged young woman named Carla Tate who must deal with her overbearing mother (Keaton).
It makes you realize that there are different people in the world, and if given a chance, they can be just as normal as everyone else.The cast in this movie was unbelievable, all were very well known and very much loved.
I have seen Miss Lewis in other movies, and she is good,,,but I think this is her all time best.
I'm not saying she's the best actress ever, but she's quite good most of the time..."The Other Sister" tells the story of a mentally retarded girl, Carla Tate, who wants to be more independent from her parents after she got out of the training school where she has resided for many years because of her handicap.
They fall in love and want to start a live together, much against her mother's will...Even though I didn't have too high expectations of this movie, I can't say that I was convinced by it.
Well done on what I thought was a wonderful movie, you're sure to cheer this feel-good treat!Rating: 5 Stars or 10/10.
if you want to watch a good movie about the mentally retarded watch I Am Sam..
i great movie with good acting but i tell you folks Do Not watch this..
The story of Carla Tate is touching and humorous as she tries to overcome her uptight mother (Diane Keaton)and lead her own life.
I have seen and rented many many movies - but I can not remember a performance like Juliette Lewis gave ...
If you like Diane Keaton, Juliette Lewis, Gianni Ribosi and and forget the other mans name you will enjoy this movie.
The movie " The Other Sister" was beautifully acted out by Juliette Lewis and Giovanni Ribisi.
This movie shows able actors portraying mentally retarded young people who want to do the things society at large can do.
It's all about the love between two mentally retarded teenagers, played by Giovanni Ribisi and Juliette Lewis.
A synopsis of the movie would be an "Extraordinary love story of two impeded individuals who overcome the obstacles to a justified and happy end."The most persuasive aspect of this charming movie are the remarkable performances by Juliette Lewis (Carla) and Giovanni Ribisi (Danny).
Their portrayal of mildly retarded characters are touching and very true to life!I've read a few negative reviews (a minority of opinion to be sure!) of this movie, and the chief complaint of these reviewers were the "unbelievable" interpretation the actors gave of a mentally handicapped person.Personally, I happen to know of a real life married couple, (very similar to "Carla and Danny") who both work and live self-sufficient lives together.
THE OTHER SISTER (1999) **Starring: Juliette Lewis, Giovanni Ribisi, Diane Keaton, Tom Skerritt, Poppy Montgomery, and Sarah Paulson Director: Garry Marshall   Running time: 130 minutes   Rated PG-13 (for some sexually related material)By Blake French:"The Other Sister" is a romantic drama with too many conventional, although charming, qualities.
In fact, the father of Carla, Radley, is quite easy going--it's the mother, Elizabeth, who gives the characters a hard time with life.
Too bad I can't say that about the actors behind Daniel and Carla, who are played by Juliette Lewis and Giovanni Ribisi.
Juliette Lewis and Giovanni Ribisi were OUTSTANDING in this movie!
I mean, watching the this film, you would think that the two of them were actually mentally challenged.
If you watch this movie, you'll probably fall in love with Giovanni's character *smiles* He plays him so well..
It was just a good quality story about a mildly retarded woman, Carla Tate, and her simple dreams (and loves) in life.
It was just a good quality story about a mildly retarded woman, Carla Tate, and her simple dreams (and loves) in life.
i thought the actors did an amazing job playing mentally retarded characters.this movie made me laugh so much and i quote it all the time with my friends.
go rent it and see it.i thought the plot was great.its just really cute.i mean two young people find each other and it turns out great.there are some bumps on the road just like any movie.all Carla Tate wants to do it fit in and not be looked down on compared to her perfect sister.you'll have to see what happens.
And as someone who has been around the mentally disabled, I can assure you that the problems portrayed and the characters were very well done indeed.But, all that aside, this is one of the best movies of it's kind I've ever seen.
This is the best acting I have ever seen by Juliet Lewis and Diane Keaton.Giovanni Ribisi, a new comer to the screen, is astounding, and I myself hope that all three people win, or at least get nominated for academy awards!This is definitely a chick flick, but guys, don't turn your heads too quickly.
Garry Marshall makes genuine cinema in 'The Other Sister', it's a romantically challenged film with love that works big time.A young mentally disabled woman named Carla Tate falls in love with A young man named Daniel McMahon, also slightly mentally disabled.
Juliette Lewis (Carla) and Giovanni Ribisi (Daniel) do a great job in portraying the daily life struggles, goals, and relationships of people who have disabilities.
To say that I had a lump in my throat is an understatement.One of the best movies I have bought in a long time.Buy it, rent it but most of just sit down & watch it for what it is, a dam good movie!!Iam not normally an emotional person when it comes to movie's.When a movie like " The other Sister " comes along it makes you think how lucky we are to be 100% healthy.If that does not bring out some sort of emotion in you then man you are made of STONE.I have just purchased "Boiler room " starring Giovanni Ribisi.-------- Big Al. A must see movie for everyone!.
There Carla meets Daniel McMann (Ribisi) who is also mentally challenged and understands her better, he lives in his own apartment and has a job plus he loves marching bands.
As someone who began working in the mental health field in the '80s and knows mentally handicapped married couples, I find the portrayal rings true.I didn't care for some of the songs in the film and the scene where Daniel embarrasses Carla is so painful to watch, I usually fast forward through it.This is a movie I enjoy over and over..
So I kept my eyes open, and finally, there it was: The Other Sister.I have seen it for a dozen times, and each time it gets to me, emotionally and then it just touches my heart.The story about letting people show what the feelings behind a mentally disabled person can be, and how they can react in that kind off situation, is great.
Yeah, OK, I could sit here and pick apart some aspects like whether or not its realistic in its portrayal of mentally disabled people, or a myriad of other things, but in the end, all of that really isn't the point.The fact that people from all walks of life have commented on the fact that they liked this movie, that it makes you happy and sad and (really) wince in embarrassment for others, and angry and everything else is really great.
It takes me to a point where I can really understand the emotions of the characters -- and making a 35 year old man understand what it might feel like to be a 20-something mentally retarded girl is a pretty big accomplishment.
Anyway, both Ribisi and Lewis did very good jobs of playing Daniel and Carla.
Giovanni Ribisi is awesome as Daniel McMahon and Juliette Lewis and Diane Keaton are likewise wonderful.
this is the kind of movie you'll always love to see, the plot is very well taken to the screen, with great performances, good sense of humor etc...
it is a movie that makes you feel fine, the movie is about a retarded girl (Juliette Lewis)who is coming to live with her parents after spending some years in a special institution...
This movie made me look at my own life in a different way and other people as well.
A little sappy but worth watching for the performance of Juliette Lewis as a mentally-challenged young woman.
The Other Sister is a good movie, I personally liked it a lot.
First of all I'd like to say that Juliette Lewis did a GREAT performance and so did Giovanni Ribisi.
The acting was incredible, Juliette Lewis, Dianne Keaton, Tom Skerrit and Giovanni Ribisi were great!