ROLL M: The Other Sister

By Susan Sackett

The Other Sister (starring Juliette Lewis, Diane Keaton, Tom Skerritt, Giovanni Ribisi; written by Bob Brunner and Garry Marshall; directed by Garry Marshall; rated PG-13).

Buena Vista’s The Other Sister is a joy from start to finish. This is a sensitively written, thoughtfully executed, brilliantly acted romantic comedy that deserves to receive all sorts of accolades and a wide viewership. Unfortunately, its release so early in the year may harm it at next year’s Academy Awards.

And it is Oscar-worthy. Juliette Lewis’s performance is nothing short of genius (does anyone know if she’s a Mensan?). This talented actress has one of the most challenging roles to come along in years – she plays Carla Tate, a mildly retarded young woman poised between her never-ending childhood (she’s know in p.c. terms as "mentally challenged") and her desire to take her place in the world of adults. Her overprotective parents, especially her mother (Diane Keaton in a strong performance) must come to terms with their daughter’s emerging emotional and sexual maturity. If Carla’s mind is impaired, her strength of will certainly is not. Her triumphs become ours in this uplifting, "feel-good" movie. Kudos also to Giovanni Ribisi as her mentally-challenged love interest. Together, they make this film memorable. This is an extraordinary movie about love and the human spirit. A MUST-SEE!

FIVE OWLS (out of five)