Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (Full Screen)

Amazon.com

Grab your tissues and send the guys away, because Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood is the most pedigreed chick flick since Steel Magnolias. You can tell by the title and the novelish names of the Louisiana ladies from Rebecca Wells's precious bestseller. First there's Sidda (Sandra Bullock), a successful playwright still wrestling with her manipulative mother, Vivi (Ellen Burstyn), after a traumatic upbringing. Then there's longtime friends Teensy (Fionnula Flanagan), Necie (Shirley Knight), and Caro (scene-stealer Maggie Smith), from Vivi's secret club of "Ya-Ya Priestesses," together since childhood and determined to heal the rift between Sidda and her mom. Through an ambitious flashback structure (including Ashley Judd as the younger Vivi), screenwriter and first-time director Callie Khouri (who wrote Thelma & Louise) establishes a rich context for this mother-daughter reunion. There's plenty of humor to temper the drama, which inspires Bullock's best work in years. Definitely worth a look for the curious, but only fans of Wells's fiction will feel any twinge of loyalty. --Jeff Shannon

Description

New York playwright Sidda Lee Walker is a long way from her Louisiana hometown, but an even greater emotional distance separates her from her mother Vivi. The Ya-Yas - sworn lifelong friends of Vivi - stage an unorthodox "intervention" to bring daughter and mother together in this warm, winning adaptation of Rebecca Well's bestsellers, written for the screen and directed by Thelma & Louise Academy Award winner Callie Khouri.

Customer Reviews:

What A Great Cast!.......2007-08-14

I really love this movie. The first time I watched it, I did have a little trouble keeping track with the which of the younger characters represented which of the older characters. However, if you go to the Internet Movie Database found easily on Google, you can look up this movie and learn the names of each character ahead of time and it will help. But even if you don't, your knowing which of the supporting characters is which is not crucial. (And maybe I'm just daft!) This movie is very enjoyable especially if you've ever known anyone who had a strained mother-daughter relationship or if you especially enjoy true female commraderie. I especially like the ending with the mother-daughter, and watching all the women interact with one another as lifelong best friends. Not for young kids due to some violence and some alcohol/drug abuse.

More than just a comedy........2007-08-01

The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood is a great and deeply moving mother and daughter film. First of all, Ellen Burstyn and Sandra Bullock have great and exciting chemistry as the bickering mother and daughter. Ashley Judd plays Burstyn's character as the film travels back in time, and boy Judd's acting is brilliant and don't say that often about her. This is the kind of role that is perfect for her, her character has depth. This movie is the best chick-flick I have come across in awhile. I highly recommend checking these crazy Ya-Ya's out. Enjoy!

Pretty good chick flick.......2007-06-19

This isn't bad for chick flick. Sandra Bullock and James Gardner were really good in this movie. Maggie Smith was pretty funny as Caro, the friend. It's a touching story to watch. It's also very moving too.

Go Ya Yas!.......2007-03-20

While the books do give more detail I have to agree with one of the above reviewers. I think that the movie was a lot more explanatory and didn't seem to drag on as much as the novels did. As far as the acting goes, I think they all did a pretty fair job esepcially Maggie Smith who had me laughing everytime she was on the screen. The other actor who I thought stood out the most was James Garner. I loved his interpretation of Shep, the father of Sidda yet lonely husband of Vivi. The movie makes me glued to my seat everytime so much so that I don't like to miss a minute. I would definetely recommend this "chick flick" to any woman who has had a difficult relationship with their mother over the years because it show us grownup women that in reality our mothers are not perfect and just women like us.

A Cajun woman, reminiscing biographically of her highs and lows .......2007-02-01

DIVINE SECRETS OF THE YA YA SISTERHOOD, is a movie that
will appeal mainly to young kids, and those who are
typically fans of so-called chick flicks. Not everyone is
a disciple, as demonstrated by a recent tongue in cheek
joke made on the Daily Show With Jon Stewart.

Here, Ashley Judd reprises once more her type-cast role of
someone having a delinquent side to her personality, (as
also seen in several other movies in which she's a
protagonist), and does a fine job in playing the role of
a woman, reminiscing biographically of the highs and lows
of her life, when her own daughter decides to get married
and and enter an adulthood of her own. James Garner is
credible, and charismatic, now as the elder statesman, who
gives away the bride to the groom.

The cast is well chosen, in my view, and the film's
strength is mainly its originality, although it's highest
challenge at the same time, is to make a biographical
tale, that is highly personal, of any interest to the public
at large. This objective was met, otherwise this film would
not have been made.

Therefore, the viewer is provided a vision to
someone's life story, with Sandra Bullock playing the
modern, perhaps plastic woman who is confronted with the
values, traditions of another age and era, as represented by
her Mother and her friends who themselves have their own Ya
Ya "inner joke" since childhood,. She has to deal with
that, in view of reestablishing a relationship with own
family, that for many years had grown distant, cold and
confrontational. Finally, Bobby Dylan wraps the movie,
with his own number, tying his own folk image to the
Mardi Gras, and Cajun folk culture put forth in this movie
too.

I would have given this 1 star, perhaps, but given the
realistic elements of this movie, the moderation of the
dialog (that doesn't pain too much the viewers), and the crisp
images of Louisiana, and the outdoors, the sincerity of
the actors, and quality of the acting, I had to raise it a
notch to 2 stars.

Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (Widescreen)

Average customer rating:

What A Great Cast!
More than just a comedy.
Pretty good chick flick
Go Ya Yas!
A Cajun woman, reminiscing biographically of her highs and lows

Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (Widescreen)
Starring: Sandra Bullock , Ellen Burstyn , Fionnula Flanagan , James Garner , and Cherry Jones
Director: Callie Khouri
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs as Low as $5.49 | The Big DVD Sale | Stores | DVD | Video

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B00005JLCT
Release Date: 2004-06-01

Amazon.com

Description

Customer Reviews:

What A Great Cast!.......2007-08-14

More than just a comedy........2007-08-01

Pretty good chick flick.......2007-06-19

Go Ya Yas!.......2007-03-20

A Cajun woman, reminiscing biographically of her highs and lows .......2007-02-01

Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood/Miss Congeniality

Average customer rating:

MIDDLE OF THE ROAD ENTERTAINMENT...

Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood/Miss Congeniality
Starring: Sandra Bullock , Michael Caine , Benjamin Bratt , Candice Bergen , and Ernie Hudson
Director: Donald Petrie , and Callie Khouri
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B0000E6FR4
Release Date: 2003-11-18

Customer Reviews:

MIDDLE OF THE ROAD ENTERTAINMENT..........2004-08-31

These are two films that are moderately entertaining, though neither of them are must see films. Rent, rather than buy, them. This way one will not be unduly disappointed.

There is nothing divine about the film, "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood", which is a film about mother/daughter relationships and about unconditional love. Despite being marked by fine performances, the film never really grabs the viewer, at least, not this viewer. While moderately enjoyable, I found the film to fall a little flat, as the whole Ya-Ya thing left me cold, finding it all a bit silly.

Not having read the book of the same name upon which the film is based, I had no frame of reference. Judging strictly on the merits of the film, I found that it has its ups and downs. The name of the film is apparently derived from a childhood club to which a group of lifelong friends belonged as children in which they were all Ya-Ya priestesses. These friends, of which Vivi (Ellyn Burstyn) is at the center of this story, are all trying to reconcile Vivi to her daughter Sidda (Sandra Bullock). The friends, as well as Vivi, are all aging southern belles from Louisiana. Sidda, however, has moved North, where she is a budding, successful playwright.

Sidda had a traumatic childhood, as her mother is a mercurial woman with a drinking problem. It seems that Vivi never got over losing her childhood sweetheart during the war. She married another man, Shep Walker (James Garner), Sidda's father and a man who has loved Vivi unconditionally throughout their entire married life, and proceeded to put her husband and her children through a living hell. Still, Vivi and Sidda manage to plod along as so many mothers and daughters do, until Vivi goes too far and Sidda decides that enough is enough.

The story of Vivi, Sidda, and Shep is told in flashbacks, which provide the most interesting parts of the movie. Ashley Judd is simply sensational as the young Vivi, and she outshines all the film and stage veterans in this film, infusing the role with a gritty reality. David Lee Smith is very good as the hunky young Shep, the husband who tries to understand a mercurial wife who has become unbalanced by her longing for what could never be.

Ellen Burstyn as the senior Vivi is not as compelling as the younger one portrayed by Ashley Judd. The senior Vivi comes across as a silly, petulant, spoiled, self-absorbed woman who needs a good swift kick in the butt. Consequently, the viewer cares very little for what happens to her, even though she is eventually reconciled to her daughter and comes to appreciate her patient, selfless husband.

Maggie Smith, Fionnula Flanagan, and Shirley Knight are all excellent as Vivi's lifelong friends, though Ms. Smith occasionally seems to have a bit of difficulty suppressing her British accent.. They inject a touch of humor into their attempts to reconcile the estranged Vivi and Sidda, which is a good counterpoint to the underlying pathos of the film. Sandra Bullock is also excellent as the fed up Sidda, who has said that enough is enough. As in all her film, she charms the viewer. James Garner is wonderful as Vivi's long suffering husband, who comes to be appreciated by Vivi only at the end.

Unfortunately, the director appears to have striven for mawkishness. Consequently, the ending of this film is enough to make one gag, as Sidda is inducted into the Ya-Ya sisterhood. This alone is enough for me to counsel viewers to rent, and not buy, this film.

The film, "Miss Congeniality", is a moderately entertaining, if forgettable, comedy. It showcases Ms. Bullock's comedic talents, if nothing else. The premise of the film revolves around the need for an FBI agent to go undercover as a contestant during a beauty pageant, due to intelligence reports that indicate that the pageant may be subject to a terrorist attack. Before she knows it, FBI agent Gracie Hart, a tomboyish, klutzy, and nerdy female, who snorts when she laughs, is assigned to the job. A beauty pageant coach, deliciously played by Michael Caine, is assigned to turn our erstwhile beast into a beauty. He succeeds admirably, as he has a lot with which to work.

Ms. Bullock plays her role with somewhat ham handed determination. Still, she manages to charm. Her supporting cast, which includes Benjamin Bratt, as her fellow agent and potential love interest, and Candace Bergen and William Shatner, as the pageant hosts, act as comedic foils. The pageant contestants also provide a number of light hearted screen moments. This is a comedy that is easy enough to enjoy, though predictable, as long as one's expectations are not inordinately high. Rent it, as it is not a keeper.

Two Weeks Notice / Divine Secrets Of The Ya-Ya Sisterhood (Full Screen Edition Two-Pack)

Average customer rating:

TWO MEDIOCRE FILMS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE...

Two Weeks Notice / Divine Secrets Of The Ya-Ya Sisterhood (Full Screen Edition Two-Pack)
Starring: Warner 2pak
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( T ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Customer Reviews:

TWO MEDIOCRE FILMS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE..........2005-01-24

TWO WEEKS NOTICE **

Both my daughter and I looked forward to seeing this film. I am a big fan of both Sandra Bullocks and Hugh Grant, as they are charismatic and talented actors with a feel for comedy. Unfortunately, even they cannot overcome a witless script and the ham-handed direction of Marc Lawrence.

Sandra Bullock plays the role of neurotic Lucy Kelson, a Harvard Law School grad who follows in the footsteps of her activist parents by becoming an activist lawyer. Hugh Grant is in his element as George Wade, a real estate developer and playboy tycoon. When they are brought together by fate, they strike a deal that they believe would be in each of their respective best interests. Lucy will work for George as his chief counsel, while George promises not to apply the wrecker's ball to her beloved Coney Island community center.

Unfortunately, as time passes, these two opposites begin to be attracted to each other. Just as fate contrived to bring them together, however, it appears that fate will also tear them apart. When Lucy discovers that George will be unable to keep his promise about the Coney Island community center, she gives him two weeks notice. Enter June Carter (Alicia Witt), also a Harvard Law grad and Lucy's replacement. The luscious June quickly sizes up George Wade and sets her cap for him, causing Lucy to suffer pangs of jealousy of which she had been previously unaware.

There are no surprises in this formulaic film. Hugh Grant does his slightly wacky British turn, while Sandra Bullocks turns in another intelligently ditzy, infectious performance. It is the script and the direction, however, not the actors, that jettison this remarkably unfunny, romantic comedy. The laughs are few and far between. The dialogue is one dimensional and cartoonish. It fails to build a believable romance between the two main characters. Quite frankly, all the film does is waste the considerable talents of Hugh Grant and Sandra Bullocks, as well as the viewer's time. It is an unintelligent, pedestrian film that would otherwise have tanked but for its star power.

_________________________________________________________________

DIVINE SECRETS OF THE YA-YA SISTERHOOD ***

This is a film about mother/daughter relationships and about unconditional love. Despite being marked by fine performances, the film never really grabs the viewer, at least, not this viewer. While moderately enjoyable, I found the film to fall a little flat, as the whole Ya-Ya thing left me cold, finding it all a bit silly.

Not having read the book of the same name upon which the film is based, I had no frame of reference. Judging strictly on the merits of the film, I found that it has its ups and downs. The name of the film is apparently derived from a childhood club to which a group of lifelong friends belonged as children in which they were all Ya-Ya priestesses. These friends, of which Vivi (Ellyn Burstyn) is at the center of this story, are all trying to reconcile Vivi to her daughter Sidda (Sandra Bullock). The friends, as well as Vivi, are all aging southern belles from Louisiana. Sidda, however, has moved North, where she is a budding, successful playwright.

Sidda had a traumatic childhood, as her mother is a mercurial woman with a drinking problem. It seems that Vivi never got over losing her childhood sweetheart during the war. She married another man, Shep Walker (James Garner), Sidda's father and a man who has loved Vivi unconditionally throughout their entire married life, and proceeded to put her husband and her children through a living hell. Still, Vivi and Sidda manage to plod along as so many mothers and daughters do, until Vivi goes too far and Sidda decides that enough is enough.

The story of Vivi, Sidda, and Shep is told in flashbacks, which provide the most interesting parts of the movie. Ashley Judd is simply sensational as the young Vivi, and she outshines all the film and stage veterans in this film, infusing the role with a gritty reality. David Lee Smith is very good as the hunky young Shep, the husband who tries to understand a mercurial wife who has become unbalanced by her longing for what could never be.

Ellen Burstyn as the senior Vivi is not as compelling as the younger one portrayed by Ashley Judd. The senior Vivi comes across as a silly, petulant, spoiled, self-absorbed woman who needs a good swift kick in the butt. Consequently, the viewer cares very little for what happens to her, even though she is eventually reconciled to her daughter and comes to appreciate her patient, selfless husband.

Maggie Smith, Fionnula Flanagan, and Shirley Knight are all excellent as Vivi's lifelong friends, though Ms. Smith occasionally seems to have a bit of difficulty suppressing her British accent. They inject a touch of humor into their attempts to reconcile the estranged Vivi and Sidda, which is a good counterpoint to the underlying pathos of the film. Sandra Bullock is also excellent as the fed up Sidda, who has said that enough is enough. As in all her film, she charms the viewer. James Garner is wonderful as Vivi's long suffering husband, who comes to be appreciated by Vivi only at the end.

Unfortunately, the director appears to have striven for mawkishness. Consequently, the ending of this film is enough to make one gag, as Sidda is inducted into the Ya-Ya sisterhood. This alone is enough for me to counsel viewers to rent, and not buy, this film.

Average customer rating:

What A Great Cast!
More than just a comedy.
Pretty good chick flick
Go Ya Yas!
A Cajun woman, reminiscing biographically of her highs and lows

Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood
Starring: Sandra Bullock , Ellen Burstyn , Fionnula Flanagan , James Garner , and Cherry Jones
Director: Callie Khouri
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B00006RJB5

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

What A Great Cast!.......2007-08-14

More than just a comedy........2007-08-01

Pretty good chick flick.......2007-06-19

Go Ya Yas!.......2007-03-20

A Cajun woman, reminiscing biographically of her highs and lows .......2007-02-01

Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood [Region 2]

Average customer rating:

THERE IS NOTHING DIVINE ABOUT IT...

Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood [Region 2]
Starring: Sandra Bullock , Ellen Burstyn , Fionnula Flanagan , James Garner , and Cherry Jones
Director: Callie Khouri
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B00008A7HO

Customer Reviews:

THERE IS NOTHING DIVINE ABOUT IT..........2007-01-20

This is a film about mother/daughter relationships and about unconditional love. Despite being marked by fine performances, the film never really grabs the viewer, at least, not this viewer. While moderately enjoyable, I found the film to fall a little flat, as the whole Ya-Ya thing left me cold, finding it all a bit silly.

Not having read the book of the same name upon which the film is based, I had no frame of reference. Judging strictly on the merits of the film, I found that it has its ups and downs. The name of the film is apparently derived from a childhood club to which a group of lifelong friends belonged as children in which they were all Ya-Ya priestesses. These friends, of which Vivi (Ellyn Burstyn) is at the center of this story, are all trying to reconcile Vivi to her daughter Sidda (Sandra Bullock). The friends, as well as Vivi, are all aging southern belles from Louisiana. Sidda, however, has moved North, where she is a budding, successful playwright.

Sidda had a traumatic childhood, as her mother is a mercurial woman with a drinking problem. It seems that Vivi never got over losing her childhood sweetheart during the war. She married another man, Shep Walker (James Garner), Sidda's father and a man who has loved Vivi unconditionally throughout their entire married life, and proceeded to put her husband and their children through a living hell. Still, Vivi and Sidda manage to plod along as so many mothers and daughters do, until Vivi goes too far and Sidda decides that enough is enough.

The story of Vivi, Sidda, and Shep is told in flashbacks, which provide the most interesting parts of the movie. Ashley Judd is simply sensational as the young Vivi, and she outshines all the film and stage veterans in this film, infusing the role with a gritty reality. David Lee Smith is very good as the hunky young Shep, the husband who tries to understand a mercurial wife who has become unbalanced by her longing for what could never be.

Ellen Burstyn as the senior Vivi is not as compelling as the younger one portrayed by Ashley Judd. The senior Vivi comes across as a silly, petulant, spoiled, self-absorbed woman who needs a good swift kick in the butt. Consequently, the viewer cares very little for what happens to her, even though she is eventually reconciled to her daughter and comes to appreciate her patient, selfless husband.

Maggie Smith, Fionnula Flanagan, and Shirley Knight are all very good as Vivi's lifelong friends, though Ms. Smith occasionally seems to have a bit of difficulty suppressing her British accent. They inject a touch of humor into their attempts to reconcile the estranged Vivi and Sidda, which is a good counterpoint to the underlying pathos of the film. Sandra Bullock is also excellent as the fed up Sidda, who has said that enough is enough. As in all her film, she charms the viewer. James Garner is wonderful as Vivi's long suffering husband, who comes to be appreciated by Vivi only at the end.

Unfortunately, the director appears to have striven for mawkishness. Consequently, the ending of this film is enough to make one gag, as Sidda is inducted into the Ya-Ya sisterhood. This alone is enough for me to counsel viewers to rent, and not buy, this film.

Two Weeks Notice/Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood

Average customer rating:

TWO MEDIOCRE FILMS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE...

Two Weeks Notice/Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood
Starring: Warner 2pak
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( T ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Customer Reviews:

TWO MEDIOCRE FILMS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE..........2006-12-10

TWO WEEKS NOTICE **

Both my daughter and I looked forward to seeing this film. I am a big fan of both Sandra Bullocks and Hugh Grant, as they are charismatic and talented actors with a feel for comedy. Unfortunately, even they cannot overcome a witless script and the ham-handed direction of Marc Lawrence.

Sandra Bullock plays the role of neurotic Lucy Kelson, a Harvard Law School grad who follows in the footsteps of her activist parents by becoming an activist lawyer. Hugh Grant is in his element as George Wade, a real estate developer and playboy tycoon. When they are brought together by fate, they strike a deal that they believe would be in each of their respective best interests. Lucy will work for George as his chief counsel, while George promises not to apply the wrecker's ball to her beloved Coney Island community center.

Unfortunately, as time passes, these two opposites begin to be attracted to each other. Just as fate contrived to bring them together, however, it appears that fate will also tear them apart. When Lucy discovers that George will be unable to keep his promise about the Coney Island community center, she gives him two weeks notice. Enter June Carter (Alicia Witt), also a Harvard Law grad and Lucy's replacement. The luscious June quickly sizes up George Wade and sets her cap for him, causing Lucy to suffer pangs of jealousy of which she had been previously unaware.

There are no surprises in this formulaic film. Hugh Grant does his slightly wacky British turn, while Sandra Bullocks turns in another intelligently ditzy, infectious performance. It is the script and the direction, however, not the actors, that jettison this remarkably unfunny, romantic comedy. The laughs are few and far between. The dialogue is one dimensional and cartoonish. It fails to build a believable romance between the two main characters. Quite frankly, all the film does is waste the considerable talents of Hugh Grant and Sandra Bullocks, as well as the viewer's time. It is an unintelligent, pedestrian film that would otherwise have tanked but for its star power.

________________________________________________________________________

DIVINE SECRETS OF THE YA-YA SISTERHOOD ***

This is a film about mother/daughter relationships and about unconditional love. Despite being marked by fine performances, the film never really grabs the viewer, at least, not this viewer. While moderately enjoyable, I found the film to fall a little flat, as the whole Ya-Ya thing left me cold, finding it all a bit silly.

Not having read the book of the same name upon which the film is based, I had no frame of reference. Judging strictly on the merits of the film, I found that it has its ups and downs. The name of the film is apparently derived from a childhood club to which a group of lifelong friends belonged as children in which they were all Ya-Ya priestesses. These friends, of which Vivi (Ellyn Burstyn) is at the center of this story, are all trying to reconcile Vivi to her daughter Sidda (Sandra Bullock). The friends, as well as Vivi, are all aging southern belles from Louisiana. Sidda, however, has moved North, where she is a budding, successful playwright.

Sidda had a traumatic childhood, as her mother is a mercurial woman with a drinking problem. It seems that Vivi never got over losing her childhood sweetheart during the war. She married another man, Shep Walker (James Garner), Sidda's father and a man who has loved Vivi unconditionally throughout their entire married life, and proceeded to put her husband and her children through a living hell. Still, Vivi and Sidda manage to plod along as so many mothers and daughters do, until Vivi goes too far and Sidda decides that enough is enough.

The story of Vivi, Sidda, and Shep is told in flashbacks, which provide the most interesting parts of the movie. Ashley Judd is simply sensational as the young Vivi, and she outshines all the film and stage veterans in this film, infusing the role with a gritty reality. David Lee Smith is very good as the hunky young Shep, the husband who tries to understand a mercurial wife who has become unbalanced by her longing for what could never be.

Ellen Burstyn as the senior Vivi is not as compelling as the younger one portrayed by Ashley Judd. The senior Vivi comes across as a silly, petulant, spoiled, self-absorbed woman who needs a good swift kick in the butt. Consequently, the viewer cares very little for what happens to her, even though she is eventually reconciled to her daughter and comes to appreciate her patient, selfless husband.

Maggie Smith, Fionnula Flanagan, and Shirley Knight are all excellent as Vivi's lifelong friends, though Ms. Smith occasionally seems to have a bit of difficulty suppressing her British accent. They inject a touch of humor into their attempts to reconcile the estranged Vivi and Sidda, which is a good counterpoint to the underlying pathos of the film. Sandra Bullock is also excellent as the fed up Sidda, who has said that enough is enough. As in all her film, she charms the viewer. James Garner is wonderful as Vivi's long suffering husband, who comes to be appreciated by Vivi only at the end.

Unfortunately, the director appears to have striven for mawkishness. Consequently, the ending of this film is enough to make one gag, as Sidda is inducted into the Ya-Ya sisterhood. This alone is enough for me to counsel viewers to rent, and not buy, this film.

Average customer rating:

Two Weeks Notice/Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood
Starring: Sandra Bullock
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( T ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Average customer rating:

What A Great Cast!
More than just a comedy.
Pretty good chick flick
Go Ya Yas!
A Cajun woman, reminiscing biographically of her highs and lows

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B00006FMG3

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

What A Great Cast!.......2007-08-14

More than just a comedy........2007-08-01

Pretty good chick flick.......2007-06-19

Go Ya Yas!.......2007-03-20

A Cajun woman, reminiscing biographically of her highs and lows .......2007-02-01

Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood / White Oleander

Average customer rating:

TWO FILMS ABOUT THE PROVERBIAL MOTHER/DAUGHTER RELATIONSHIP...

Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood / White Oleander
Starring: Sandra Bullock , Ellen Burstyn , Fionnula Flanagan , James Garner , and Cherry Jones
Director: Callie Khouri , and Peter Kosminsky
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B0007VY4A4
Release Date: 2005-05-10

Amazon.com

Fine performances and sensitive direction keep White Oleander from being a routine tearjerker. Adapted from Janet Fitch's bestseller (an Oprah's Book Club selection), this hard-edged drama boasts a reputable cast, but 23-year-old newcomer Alison Lohman steals the film from her A-list costars. As a troubled teen whose controlling mother (Michelle Pfeiffer) has been jailed for murder, Lohman is the film's heart and soul, bouncing between foster homes and rushing toward independence in a world of disappointing adults. After surviving episodic stints with a trashy born-again Christian (Robin Wright Penn), a suicidal housewife (Renie Zellweger), and a Russian immigrant (Zvetlana Efremova), she finds comfort with another outcast (Patrick Fugit), leaving behind the mothers who failed her. Making his feature directorial debut, British stage and TV veteran Peter Kosminsky creates a showcase for formidable actresses, each given moments to shine. White Oleander lacks the emotional depth of Fitch's novel, but it speaks volumes about the delicate balance of freedom and responsibility. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

TWO FILMS ABOUT THE PROVERBIAL MOTHER/DAUGHTER RELATIONSHIP..........2006-06-01

DIVINE SECRETS OF THE YA-YA SISTERHOOD ***

This is a film about mother/daughter relationships and about unconditional love. Despite being marked by fine performances, the film never really grabs the viewer, at least, not this viewer. While moderately enjoyable, I found the film to fall a little flat, as the whole Ya-Ya thing left me cold, finding it all a bit silly.

Not having read the book of the same name upon which the film is based, I had no frame of reference. Judging strictly on the merits of the film, I found that it has its ups and downs. The name of the film is apparently derived from a childhood club to which a group of lifelong friends belonged as children in which they were all Ya-Ya priestesses. These friends, of which Vivi (Ellyn Burstyn) is at the center of this story, are all trying to reconcile Vivi to her daughter Sidda (Sandra Bullock). The friends, as well as Vivi, are all aging southern belles from Louisiana. Sidda, however, has moved North, where she is a budding, successful playwright.

Sidda had a traumatic childhood, as her mother is a mercurial woman with a drinking problem. It seems that Vivi never got over losing her childhood sweetheart during the war. She married another man, Shep Walker (James Garner), Sidda's father and a man who has loved Vivi unconditionally throughout their entire married life, and proceeded to put her husband and her children through a living hell. Still, Vivi and Sidda manage to plod along as so many mothers and daughters do, until Vivi goes too far and Sidda decides that enough is enough.

The story of Vivi, Sidda, and Shep is told in flashbacks, which provide the most interesting parts of the movie. Ashley Judd is simply sensational as the young Vivi, and she outshines all the film and stage veterans in this film, infusing the role with a gritty reality. David Lee Smith is very good as the hunky young Shep, the husband who tries to understand a mercurial wife who has become unbalanced by her longing for what could never be.

Ellen Burstyn as the senior Vivi is not as compelling as the younger one portrayed by Ashley Judd. The senior Vivi comes across as a silly, petulant, spoiled, self-absorbed woman who needs a good swift kick in the butt. Consequently, the viewer cares very little for what happens to her, even though she is eventually reconciled to her daughter and comes to appreciate her patient, selfless husband.

Maggie Smith, Fionnula Flanagan, and Shirley Knight are all excellent as Vivi's lifelong friends, though Ms. Smith occasionally seems to have a bit of difficulty suppressing her British accent. They inject a touch of humor into their attempts to reconcile the estranged Vivi and Sidda, which is a good counterpoint to the underlying pathos of the film. Sandra Bullock is also excellent as the fed up Sidda, who has said that enough is enough. As in all her film, she charms the viewer. James Garner is wonderful as Vivi's long suffering husband, who comes to be appreciated by Vivi only at the end.

Unfortunately, the director appears to have striven for mawkishness. Consequently, the ending of this film is enough to make one gag, as Sidda is inducted into the Ya-Ya sisterhood. This alone is enough for me to counsel viewers to rent, and not buy, this film.

WHITE OLEANDER ****

This is a film adaptation of the best selling novel of the same name. I cannot say whether as an adaptation it is faithful to the book, not having read it, as yet. What I can say is that is an excellent drama, marked by a breakout performance by Alison Lohman. She is positively inspiring in the role of Astrid, a young, pre-pubescent girl of twelve whose life is torn apart when her mother, a beautiful, brilliant, and talented artist, is convicted of murder. The film chronicles Astrid's coming of age and the way that she deals with the vicissitudes of life, as she grows into a young woman. Ms. Lohman plays Astrid from ages twelve through about twenty, as believable at twelve as she is at twenty, no easy transition to make. Yet, she does so brilliantly.

The film is about a number of things. It is about exploration of the proverbial mother/daughter relationship. It is about the breaking of myths. It is about coping with tragedy and reality. It is about working with the hand with which one has been dealt in life. It is about love. It is about hate. It is about reconciliation. It is about redemption.

Astrid and her mother, Ingrid, lead a materially comfortable life. Ingrid (Michelle Pfeiffer) is a narcissistic, successful artist, with a cynical view on life who tries to inculcate and control her daughter with her own personal, unorthodox philosophy. Astrid, a sensitive, intelligent, and artistically gifted child, who is mature beyond her years, adores her mother, viewing her through rose colored glasses, even when Ingrid fails in meeting the most basic of parental responsibilities. Ingrid cheerfully chooses to go to an opening of a friend's gallery show rather than attend parents' night at her daughter's school. After all, as she explains to Astrid, what can the school tell her about her daughter that she does not already know?

Astrid's feelings about Ingrid are put to the test, when her mother gives in to her violent passions and kills her lover. Convicted and sentenced to prison for many years, Ingrid is separated from Astrid, and Astrid's comfortable, though unorthodox, world is rendered asunder. Astrid would begin a long and painful, personal journey and a coming of age that would not be easy, as she attempts to reconcile the mother she thought she knew with the mother that she is just really starting to get to know. The mythic is now approaching reality.

Astrid goes through a number of foster homes but each time that Ingrid senses that Astrid is getting attached to her foster mother or her foster family, Ingrid does what she can to poison the well, until she finally crosses the line. As Astrid grows up and starts to understand her mother's machinations, an emotional schism begins, one that is painful both to mother and daughter, with self-realization and reconciliation as outgrowths of their painful discovery.

Michelle Pfeiffer is brilliant as the coldly diabolical Ingrid, a woman who would sacrifice her child's happiness in order to retain emotional control over that child. She is as poisonous as the beautiful white oleander flower, whose appearance belies its deadly nature. Robin Penn Wright is wonderful as Starr, Astrid's first foster mother, a born again Christian and former alcoholic exotic dancer with a heart of gold, who is looking to hang on to her man no matter what the cost. It is in her home that Astrid gets a reality check in the cruelest of ways. Removed from that home, Astrid is then sent to the home of Claire (Renee Zellweger) and her hunky husband (Noah Wylie). It is with Claire that Astrid begins to have a true mother/daughter relationship, provoking Ingrid's jealousy. Ingrid moves in for the kill, manipulating Claire's insecurities in order to separate Claire and Astrid. What Ingrid does, however, has tragic consequences and serves to further alienate Astrid from her. Renee Zellweger gives a moving and sweetly poignant performance as the hapless Claire.

When Astrid is also removed from this home, she ends up in an institution with other children with no place to go. There, she meets a young man (Patrick Fugit) who is also artistic and Astrid bonds with him. When Astrid talks to her mother about him and his art, Ingrid disparages him, trying to drive a wedge between Astrid and her young man. She succeeds somewhat, and Astrid cuts herself off from him and, in the process, from herself and from Ingrid. Refusing to opt for a traditional foster family when pushed to do so, no longer hopeful of making a loving, familial connection, she chooses, instead, to live with an unorthodox foster mother, a Russian immigrant (Zvetlana Efremova) and modern day Fagin. It is here that Astrid totally separates from herself and from her past, until a set of circumstances compel a confrontation with her mother. It is one in which Ingrid has an opportunity to make a decision that a real mother would make. It is also a decision that has the ability to make or break Astrid.

This well nuanced film is superb, with phenomenal performances, but none more so that that of Alison Lohman. How she failed to receive an Academy Award nomination, I will never know. Kudos also go to director Peter Kosminsky for exacting wonderful and sensitive performances from the entire cast. The film also points out the problems with the foster care system. It shows how children are often placed with dysfunctional families. It delineates the often large gap between expectations and reality in terms of the parenting skills of the respective foster parents. The lack of knowledge of the quality of care the child is receiving, as well as its ignorance of the actual familial dynamics, is also brought home. This is an infinitely sad and somewhat depressing film, notwithstanding its overall excellence.

DVD:

DVD

DVD