"Family-friendly films for girls...[usually] drip with phony commercialism and pettiness of character; by comparison, Sisterhood is not only a class-act, but a godsend." Peter Canavese GROUCHO REVIEWS "By creating some endearing and genuine teenage characters, the movie really gets to you by the end. ... I cried." Steve Rhodes STEVE RHODES' INTERNET REVIEWS "A good cry feels good." Ross Anthony HOLLYWOOD REPORT CARD "Totally engaging story that filled my heart with joy as I watched five delightful young ladies create magic on the big screen. I laughed, I cried, I soaked up the beautiful Greek scenery and left the theatre feeling inspired by the realization that 'girl power' is well and truly alive. Long live the Sisterhood." Richard Surfield THE MOVIE PAGES "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants plays to everybody's inner weepy teenage girl. And that's not such a bad thing." Roger Moore ORLANDO SENTINEL

"The emotional story and fine acting are enough to make this a must-see movie for teen girls. The real surprise is that they can make a grown man cry." Scott Moore WASHINGTON POST "A film I expected to enter the ninth circle of the chirpy Hilary Duff 'girl-power' inferno is one of the sweetest, most thoughtful coming-of-age stories I’ve seen in years." Jonathan R Perry TYLER MORNING TELEGRAPH TEXAS "A warm-hearted, enjoyable diversion. A possible contender for one of the sleeper hits of the summer." Dustin Putman THEMOVIEBOY.COM "Kudos to a movie that encourages girls -- and everyone else -- to accept their bodies, to forgive their friends and family and to live their lives to the fullest." Peter Howell TORONTO STAR "A coming-of-age chick flick filled with enough charm to fill a soccer stadium or two." Dennis Schwartz OZUS' WORLD MOVIE REVIEWS

The Inside Story

"I am unquestionably not a member of the target demographic for Ken Kwapis' The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, but that didn't prevent me from enjoying it." James Berardinelli REELVIEWS

The big screen adaptation of author Ann Brashares novel, "The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants" can best be described as a 'corker'! I mean let's face it, while it may come as a shock to many, this is a statement from a guy writing about a'chick flick'. So just to prove that it's not a one-eyed, one guys opinion, have a look at all the critics quotes on this review, guys and dolls. Notice something very perculiar? That's right. Every critic I've quoted on this page is, dare I say it, a man! Thats right, a man! And don't go getting the impression that women didn't like this gem of a film, because critics of the female gender have been voicing their approval of the film too. Sure, there were a few from both genders who didn't like the film, but they were 'few and far between'. So what is it about this film, "The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants", an excellent (corker) experience with an all too obvious connection with those of the fairer sex, yet somehow has a definite appeal for guys too? The answer is simple. For every connection the girls make throughout the film, whether it be through family, love, travel or friendship, there is always a man (or a guy) in the scheme of things, and it is this side of the travelling pants story that takes the film way beyond the realm of purely being a flick for the 'chicks'. Of course having a man directing the film version of this New York Times best-seller could have been a big factor too. One thing I was most impressed with is the fact that the film is as enjoyable to watch as the book is to read, something which doesn't always come across in many film adaptations these days. When it comes to the novel, it seems I am not the only one who had trouble putting it down. Producer Debra Martin Chase ("The Princess Diaries") stayed up all night reading it and says,"The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants is a full emotional meal. It's about the power and beauty of friendship and it runs the gamut from intense joy to raw emotion. You find yourself completely identifying with and getting caught up in the journey of these characters." She admits that the story in the book holds fast to what she likes to see in films she's associated with. "I like to make films that explore the idea that we all have the power within ourselves to do anything. The only limitations in life are those we put on ourselves. This story is a perfect example of that." Producer Denise Di Novi ("Edward Scissorhands") says it was the strengths of the characters which appealed to her. "I was impressed by the strength of the characters," she said. "It's eminently relatable and original, and brings up ideas and issues we've all faced and deals with them in an honest way. It's easy to see why fans can quote whole passages from this book. It's the kind of book you keep and re-read to find new meaning or to revisit certain times, whether these things happened to you 20 years ago or they're happening now." To get the novel into production the two women joined forces with Alcon Entertainment. The guys were obviously impressed too. "What made Broderick and me so passionate about it was how different it was from the traditional approach," Kosove notes. "It's a smart movie that doesn't talk down to its audience. Even though our protagonists are young women, the quality and the drama is mature." His fellow producer and partner in Alcan Entertainment Broderick Johnson agrees. "The charm of the story is its authenticity. First love, first loss, the first time we're confronted with tragedy, and through it all the humor and great times we share with friends. These moments are universal." Joining forces with screenwriters Delia Ephron and Elizabeth Chandler, the filmmakers now went in search of a Director. The director who impressed them the most and met their expectations was EMMY AWard nominee Ken Kwapis. "In great detail he spoke about each character with complete understanding. Nothing sappy or cute," says Chase. "As he walked out the door I knew, 'this is the guy.' This is the guy who can make you smile and have fun and then deliver completely on the emotion and gravity and connect all the dots." And deliver he does readers. So what was it that connected with Kwapis? "What struck me most was that the four stories were so different and the characters such different types and yet I was able to identify with them equally," he notes. "It reminded me of a film that had a profound effect on me as a teenager and ultimately steered me toward my career: American Graffiti. So when I read the Sisterhood script, I knew this should be a film for which every member of the audience sees themselves reflected not in a single character but in several or maybe all of them. There are no villains here, there are only people; people who make good or bad choices and sometimes screw up, and these are choices that I've made and that everyone in the audience has made." And that is the universal connection which binds both sexes to this delightfully entertaining film. Probably the biggest factor in the films success, apart from the wicked cast, the settings and the four adventures of the travelling pants is, Kwapis has ensured "the voices and intention of Ann Brashares' story were vividly preserved from book to screen." Now just in case you may read or hear somewhere that another author (in this case, Ann Brashares ) isn't happy with the way their novel has been portrayed on the screen, let me reveal what author Ann Brashares had to say. Watching the film evolve Brashares says she is "delighted at how it turned out, absolutely true to the spirit of the book." She also notes "that Kwapis did not shy away from depicting her characters as she envisioned them; honestly, warts and all. I wanted them to be natural, with their flaws and weaknesses, their occasional snap judgments and pettiness." "Our task was to give each of the four storylines a particular look but make them belong to the same film," Kwapis explained. He had a trusted ally in renowned cinematographer John Bailey . Bailey’s career spans thirty years and includes a range of notable titles from "American Gigolo" and "The Big Chill" to "As Good as it Gets", "Brighton Beach Memoirs" and more recently, "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood" and "How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days". He shared a 1985 Cannes Film Festival award for his work on "Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters". "What I love about working with John is that we share an appreciation of classic Hollywood cinema," says Kwapis. 'Sisterhood' is not gimmicky, and the transitions from one story to another don’t call attention to themselves.” Meet The Sisterhood Carmen
Sassy and outspoken yet deeply sensitive, fireball Carmen is brought to life by America Ferrera, who earned wide recognition, critical acclaim and an Independent Spirit Award with her feature debut in 2002's comedy drama Real Women Have Curves. The film took the Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. "I grew up in a single-parent household so Carmen's struggles are familiar to me. What Carmen must learn is that your parents aren't superheroes and aren't perfect and that can be a very painful experience."
Tibby
Smart, sarcastic, rebellious, creative. "She definitely marches to her own beat," says Amber Tamblyn, the Emmy-nominated lead of the CBS series Joan of Arcadia, cast as Tibby. In contrast to her friends, Tibby's summer plans revolve around working shifts at the local discount store and babysitting her little sister. "As the only one of the group who doesn't have travel plans for the summer, she's focusing on other people who, in her estimation, aren't going anywhere with their lives either, and decides to spend the summer working on her video, the 'Suckumentary' which is just her interviewing people in town in order to show how pathetic their lives are. It's her way of coping and venting her anger," says Tamblyn.
Bridget
The filmmaking team agrees that Bridget was the hardest role to cast. "Who'd have thought we would have difficulty finding a vibrant, attractive, energetic all-American blonde in Southern California?" jokes Chase, recalling countless hours of auditions. It was newcomer Blake Lively who finally struck that perfect chord, although not based upon her resume. As Director Ken Kwapis recalls, "I turned over her photo to see what she had done and it was blank. I couldn't believe it. But after she'd finished reading her scenes I turned to the casting director and said, 'our Bridget just walked out of the room.' She's absolutely wonderful." And not just because she's blonde and very attractive I must add.
Lena
A striking beauty, Lena is wary of being judged on her looks. Believing that people are uninterested in knowing the real Lena, she is shy with anyone but her friends. Dressing modestly to avoid attention, she is happiest when left alone to sketch and paint. Alexis Bledelwho plays the shy artist notes, "Lena lives through observation, not participation. Uncomfortable in her own skin, unable to take a compliment, uncertain about everything and afraid to take a chance, what she needs is to find her courage and meet life halfway." A two-time Teen Choice Awards nominee for her leading role as Rory in The WB series Gilmore Girls, Bledel will next appear in the action thriller "Sin City".
Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants Rules

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

You must never wash the pants. You must never double-cuff them (it's tacky). You must never say or think you look fat while wearing the pants. You must never let a boy take off the pants (although you may take them off yourself in his presence). You must never pick your nose while wearing the pants. Upon your reunion, you must follow the proper procedures for documenting your time in the pants. You must write to your sisters throughout the summer, no matter how much fun you are having without them. You must pass the pants along to your sisters according to the specifications set down by the Sisterhood. You must not wear the pants with a tucked-in shirt and belt (see Rule #2) Remember: pants equals love. Love your pals. Love yourself.

All About The Sisterhood & The Author Visit Sisterhood Central or Meet The Author. Just click the website images above. Casting About "THE SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELLING PANTS" stars .......
Amber Tamblyn ["Rebellious", "Live Nude Girls", "Johnny Mysto: Boy Wizard" and "The Ring"]; Alexis Bledel ["Tuck Everlasting", "Bride & Prejudice", "The Orphan King" and "Sin City"]; America Ferrera ["Real Women Have Curves", "Darkness Minus Twelve", "How the Garcia Girls Spent Their Summer" and "Lords of Dogtown"]; Blake Lively ["Sandman"]; Mike Vogel ["Grind", "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre", "Havoc" and "Supercross"]; Michael Rady ["The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants"]; George Touliatos ["Weep No More, My Lady", "The Final Cut", "Double Jeopardy" and "Good Boy!"]; Nancy Travis ["Internal Affairs", "Air America", "So I Married an Axe Murderer", "Bogus" and "Beyond Suspicion"] and Jenna Boyd ["The Hunted", "Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star", "The Missing" and "In An Instant"] as Bailey. Crew Bytes "THE SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELLING PANTS" was .......
directed by Ken Kwapis ["He Said, She Said", "Dunston Checks In", "The Beautician and the Beast" and "Sexual Life"]; screenplay by Delia Ephron ["This Is My Life", "Mixed Nuts", "Michael", "You've Got Mail" and "Bewitched"] and Elizabeth Chandler ["A Little Princess", "Someone Like You" and "What A Girl Wants"]; original story by author Ann Brashares ["The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants", "The Second Summer of the Sisterhood" and "Girls In Pants"]; costume design by Lisa Jensen ["The Fabulous Baker Boys", "Grumpy Old Men", "Grumpier Old Men", "George of the Jungle" and "Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star"]; production design by Gae S Buckley ["Open Range" and "Robots"]; edited by Kathryn Himoff ["Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me", "Live Nude Girls", "Pollock" and "House of 1000 Corpses"]; cinematography John Bailey ["American Gigolo", "The Big Chill", "Swimming to Cambodia" "The Accidental Tourist", "In The Line Of Fire" and "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days"]; original music by Cliff Eidelman ["Crazy People", "Leap of Faith", "The Beautician and the Beast", "The Lizzie McGuire Movie" and "Sexual Life"] produced by Debra Martin Chase ["Courage Under Fire", "The Preacher's Wife", "The Princess Diaries" and "The Princess Diaries 2"], Denise Di Novi ["Edward Scissorhands", "Batman Returns", "Practical Magic", "A Walk to Remember", "What A Girl Wants" and "Catwoman"], Broderick Johnson ["Dude, Where's My Car?", "The Affair of the Necklace", "Insomnia" and "Racing Stripes"] and Andrew A Kosove ["Love Is All There Is", "My Dog Skip", "Love Don't Cost a Thing" and "Chasing Liberty"]. What It's All About

"It's unfair to pigeonhole this meaningful human story in that genre, especially since it feels more real than some adult chick flicks. Besides, a good story is a good story." Bruce Westbrook HOUSTON CHRONICLE

Four teenage girls and one pair of jeans. Not your ordinary jeans but a very special pair of jeans that fits each girl perfectly. It leads to the formation of the Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants. With 10 rules to guide the sisterhood, Tibby, Lena, Carmen and Bridget agree to share the jeans during their coming vacation. Each will wear the jeans, keep a journal and then mail the jeans on to the next sister. While the girls may think the jeans are magical, things don't always turn out the way they'd hoped for. Carmen will vist her father who surprises her by announcing he's getting remarried. Bridget will travel to Mexico for a soccer camp. Here she falls for a handsome male coach. Lena travels to Greece to visit her Grandfather, She meets the handsome Kostos and reignites a family fued. Tibby is the only sister not leaving the state. Angry at being stuck at home, Tibby's working on her project, a documentary she calls the 'Suckumentary'. Fate teams her up with a very forward young girl called Bailey who becomes her production assistant. The 'travelling jeans' are about to help all four girls discover the magic within themselves and forge a bond that will bring them closer together than they've ever been. The Verdict "It's a corker! A film that will delight mums, daughters, teenagers and the guys too. Much kudos goes to the cast and Director Ken Kwapis. A warm, funfilled film that beams with love and affection. It would be a tragedy to miss this smashing adaptation of author Ann Brashares best selling novel, "The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants". Highly recommended viewing." The Cast

Amber Tamblyn Alexis Bledel America Ferrera Blake Lively Jenna Boyd Victoria Tennant Alanna Dawn Ekkert Tiara Santana Ashley Hale Bradley Whitford Nancy Travis Rachel Ticotin Mike Vogel Michael Rady Leonardo Nam Maria Konstandarou George Touliatos Kyle Schmid Erica Hubbard Emily Tennant Jacqueline Stewart Sarah-Jane Redmond Ernie Lively Kendall Cross Kristie Marsden Patricia Mayen Salazar Patricia Drake Katie Stuart

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Tibby Lena Carmen Bridget Bailey Young Tibby Young Lena Young Carmen Young Bridget Al Lydia Rodman Carmen's Mother Eric Kostos Brian McBrian Yia Yia Papou Paul Rodman Soccer Pal Diana Krista Rodman Lena's Mother Tibby's Mother Bridget's Father Bridget's Mother Soccer Pal Olivia Camp Director Donna Coach Karen Bunkmate Jo

The Crew Directed by Ken Kwapis Adapted from the novel by Ann Brashares Screenplay by Delia Ephron and Elizabeth Chandler Produced by Debra Martin Chase/Denise Di Novi/Broderick Johnson/Andrew A Kosove Original Music by Cliff Eidelman Cinematography by John Bailey Film Editing by Kathryn Himoff Casting by Jakki Fink/Shani Ginsberg/Coreen Mayrs Production Design by Gae S Buckley Art Direction by Kelvin Humenny & Helen Jarvis Set Decoration by Carol Lavallee Costume Design by Lisa Jensen Unit Production Manager Fran Rosati Run Time 118 minutes Rated PG [AUST] Copyright ©2005 - Warner Bros - All Rights Reserved Copyright Protected © 2005 - Impact Internet Services & The Movie Pages - All Rights Reserved