Based on the novel by Anna Quindlen, One True Thing tells the story of a family being ripped apart by illness. Meryl Streep plays a loving mother and housewife who is diagnosed with cancer. Her husband, played by William Hurt, calls upon their daughter, an independent magazine writer (played by Renee Zellwegger from Jerry Maguire) to help care for her mother. Not accustomed to the rigors of housekeeping, Zellwegger has a hard time adjusting to her new job and soon finds her life turned upside down.

The film was directed by Carl Franklin (One False Move and Devil In A Blue Dress) and, for the most part, does a very subtle job. One True Thing truly has one thing going for it--Meryl Streep. She can't seem to give a bad performance and is utterly convincing as a woman who doesn't want to give up. However, this film can't help be anything but what it is--a manipulative tear-jerker.

Ultimately, One True Thing doesn't ring true and as a result falters. There just seems to be something processed about the way this family bickers as the end draws near. One True Thing just doesn't deliver the emotional payload that a film of this caliber should. Truly unfortunate, considering that Streep once again delivers.