I remember this movie very well. It was so gripping that I walked out of the theatre in a complete daze and it took a long walk plus several cups to coffee before I came back into the present. Your review is right on.
And sorry for your news about you sister. I don't have any good words to say but know that I light a candle in church every Sunday for my friends of the heart. If it's not too presumptious, you are one of them.

namaste SF Nancy