Review of Decoding Annie Parker (2014) by Luisa M — 22 Jul 2014

The glum and gloomy subject matter of the "based upon real life" story Decoding Annie Parker tells part of the life-story of three-time cancer-survivor Annie Parker (Samantha Morton - Sweet and Lowdown) whose entire life history had been littered with cases of the disease from before she was even born.

In telling her story, Decoding Anne Parker also follows the travails of geneticist Mary-Claire King (Helen Hunt - As Good As It Gets) who adamantly believed genetics and DNA played a key role in our health although finding funding and capital to conduct such time-consuming research was nearly impossible to do in the 1970's.

Parker herself was diagnosed with breast cancer as she watched others in her family whither away to the disease and her dedication to finding out "a reason" for why she was sick strained her family dynamics and alienated some folks she at one time held dear.

The film has several small errors (bar codes on prescriptions in the 70s) and the cast is stronger than expected; but the film meanders a bit which made me lose some interest. Had the film done without the voice-over narration and been focused on the more concise plot points, I believe Decoding would have been a better film.