"Jenifer" contains one of the best performances of 2001. Laura San Giacomo is astounding as the ALS stricken Jenifer Estes. ALS is a disorder where the brains ability to control the muscles is destroyed. ALS is a lot like Multiple Sclerosis. San Giacomo's performance can easily be compared to Emily Watson's in "Hilary and Jackie." Both performances were technically impressive and moving.

It looks like the best performances given by women in 2001 will have been on Television. With Judy Davis playing Judy Garland and Emma Thompson in Wit, and now San Giacomo's work in Jenifer, an amazing year. One of San Giacomo's best scenes is when after the symptoms start. Jenifer tries to walk up five flights of stairs and is completely drenched in sweat when she gets to the top.

Giving solid supporting performances are, Annabella Sciorra and Jane Kaczmarek as Jenifer's crusading sisters. Jane Alexander and Camryn Manhein are also very good.

"Jenifer" is one of the best movies of 2001.

I found this movie to be quite trivial and indifferent at many points in the film. They cast women who don't look like they could be friends, much less sisters, there was no real chemistry with any of the actors and it plays solely on the fact that they were all "sisters". They never touch on how her sisters magically one day have enough money to just start a foundation to support research for the disease, nor does it touch on the deeper controversies of stem cell research. It was lacking real compassion and only a handful of scenes really showed what it was like for her to be sick. The part with her boyfriend was pretty much pointless, and his exit didn't make that much sense either. Overall it wasn't a very good movie about Jenifer Estess, and the actress they picked to play her did the character no justice at all. Repetitious, cliché and most importantly, boring. Avoid at all cost.

I saw this movie for the second time this evening. The first time I saw it I was unaware of my own orphan disease. Now, a few years later, and I have a diagnosis (not ALS) and am more disabled than ever.

This movie is so real. That's what struck me the most. It depicts the change from healthy adult to a person who has to struggle to do the simplest things. The loss of independence, freedom, having to plan before venturing out, needing caregivers.

What I liked about it was it's reality. What I admired was the Estess family. Each actor portrayed the subtleties of a loved ones struggling to help and deal with their own feelings. This movie really covered the entire picture extremely well. It's rare to find one that does, for any illness.

If you have any disability, particularly if you became disabled after being perfectly healthy as a young adult, I highly recommend this movie.

Follow up on Jenifer's story at Project ALS online here:- http://www.alscenter.org/news/press/031217.cfm