Insight It's no good beating around the bush as they say, because no matter how the producers, the director or the distribution company beats the drum, "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood" is definately a 'chick flick'. Now to some that description is not what they want to hear, but the truth is "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood" is a 'chick flick' and a damn good one. That doesn't mean some men [and I do stress 'some' men, and sadly, most probably a very small minority] won't find "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood" a reasonably good watch because there is a heart tugging appeal embedded into the soul of this film.
Most watchable and the real heart of the film is Ashley Judd who seems to go from strength to strength. Her recent appearances have included "Someone Like You", "Double Jeopardy", "A Time To Kill", and with the great Morgan Freeman in both "Kiss The Girls" and "High Crimes". Judd does a superb job taking us through the good times and the difficult periods that cost Vivi dearly. Judd has the strength, conviction and convincibility to carry this role and never flounders once.
Ellen Burstyn as the older Vivi is just a gem carrying the mantle of the matriarchial woman with ease and great dignity. I remember giving her a huge rap for her role in the incredible "Requiem For A Dream" but many may not remember her in "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore". This was the role that won her an Academy Award in 1975, the year she became the first actress to win a Tony Award ['Same Time Next Year'] and a BAFTA award all in the same year. The nominations have been numerous and always deserved. "The Last Picture Show" for which she received the New York & National Film Critics Award [and an Academy Award Nomination], "The Exorcist" [Academy and Golden Globe Award nominations], "Same Time Next Year"[Academy Award nomination in 1978]. In 1980 it was "Resurrection" [an Academy Award Nomination] and "Same Time Next Year" [receiving the BAFTA], again worthy reward for her talents.
Another actress of note in "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood" is Maggie Smith the inimitable British actress seen recently in "Gosford Park". A career veteran of both stage and screen Smith is best remembered for her roles in "Tea With Mussolini", "Death on the Nile", her Oscar winning roles in "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" and in Neil Simon's "California Suite" [where she played an actress who's nominated for an Oscar and loses] and finally "Travels With My Aunt". Smith is delightful as Caro who relies on her oxygen bottle.
But "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood" is not just about women it is also about men and in particular two men. The first is James Garner as Shep [the man who has stood by Vivi throughout the long years] and the second is Angus MacFadyen as Connor. Both carry their respective roles well and are indeed lovable characters in their own right [who could ever forget Garner in "The Rockford Files" or teamed with Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster in "Marverick"]. If there was one weakness in this film it may be the injudicious choice of Sandra Bullock who I personally found hard to warm to. I sure as hell enjoyed her in "Miss Congeniality", "While You Were Sleeping" and "The Net" but on this occassion every time she appears on screen it reminds me of a toddler trying to fit a star shaped block through the square hole in a learning board. Sorry Sandra but on this occassion you really do 'grate' [as against are great]. All in all "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood" is in the end, a good fun film that many women [and some men] should find most rewarding. The Story When Sidda Lee Walker [Sandra Bullock] agrees to an interview with Time Magazine little does she realize that she will soon be in hot water. The young playwright has finally risen to prominence and is secure in her own right [even if she has spent fifteen years in therapy], until the interview is published and it reveals that she thinks her mother Vivi did a pretty poor job of bringing her up. It is the final straw for Vivi [Ellen Burstyn] and the feelings are running high. Now i'ts up to the other three Ya-Ya sisters to bring Sidda to her senses. The best way to do that it seems, is to drug Sidda, kidnap her and reveal the true "Divine Secrets of the Ya-ya Sisterhood". It looks as though the sisterhood is in for a long, hard slog as Sidda is pretty stuborn. There will be many a 'Bloody Mary" drunk in the long haul to get mother and daughter reunited. But can the sisters succeed? The Verdict "A unique opportunity to sit back and really enjoy a fine group of actress's crafting a wonderful, believable story. Fine support from James Garner and Angas MacFadyen ensures "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood" is a good watch! While undoubtedly a film predominantly aimed at women, men may discover that there is, indeed, something in it for them too." What The Critics Say

"The writing is clever and the cast is appealing." William Arnold SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER "It's mostly a pleasure to watch. And the reason for that is a self-aware, often self-mocking, intelligence." Jay Boyar ORLANDO SENTINEL "Having had the good sense to cast actors who are, generally speaking, adored by the movie-going public, Khouri then gets terrific performances from them all." Liz Braun JAM! MOVIES "Flaunts its quirky excesses like a New Year's Eve drunk sporting a paper party hat." Carol Cling LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL "A rich, thoroughly engaging drama that is by turns funny, wistful, phantasmagorical and disturbing." Glenn Lovell SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS "A dull, inconsistent, dishonest female bonding picture." Mark Dujsik MARK REVIEWS MOVIES "The words, 'Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn,' have never been more appropriate." Glenn Whipp DAILY NEWS LOS ANGELES

The Cast

	Sandra Bullock Ellen Burstyn Ashley Judd Maggie Smith Fionnula Flanagan Shirley Knight Angas MacFadyen Katy Selverstone Jacqueline McKenzie Kiersten Warren Caitlin Wachs Mary Katherine Weiss Alyssa May Gold Nicki Tschudi James Garner David Lee Smith	... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...		Siddalee Walker Vivian 'Vivi' Walker Younger 'Vivi' Caro Teensy Necie Connor Younger Caro Younger Teensy Younger Necie Little Vivi Little Caro Little Teensy Little Necie Shep Walker Younger Shep Walker

Directed by Callie Khouri From the novels by Rebecca Wells Screenplay by Mark Andrus Run Time 116 minutes Rated M[AUST] Copyright©2002 - Warner Bros - All Rights Reserved Copyright©2002 - Impact Internet Services - All Rights Reserved