Synopsis

Carla Tate, a young woman with an intellectual disability, leaves her parents' protective home to pursue greater independence. She moves into her own apartment, attends college, and falls in love with Danny, a fellow student. As Carla builds a life on her own terms, her family must confront its assumptions about her abilities, relationships, and future while preparing for her sister's wedding.

Factoids & Trivia

• Principal photography took place from December 3, 1997, to March 6, 1998. Filming locations included Long Beach, Pasadena, and San Francisco, California.

• Juliette Lewis had recently completed rehabilitation when she was cast. When the production's insurance company declined to cover her, Garry Marshall reportedly provided the money himself.

• The film's score was composed by Rachel Portman, who later became the first woman to win the Academy Award for Best Original Score.

• The soundtrack's featured song was "The Animal Song" by Savage Garden. Its music video used scenes from the film.

• Juliette Lewis sings "Come Rain or Come Shine" during the closing credits.

• Harvey Miller's appearance in the film was his final screen role. The film is dedicated to him.

• The Other Sister opened in the United States on February 26, 1999. It earned approximately $27.8 million in the United States and Canada against a reported $35 million budget.