Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002)

the audience applauded

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002): Dir: Callie Khouri / Cast: Sandra Bullock, Ellen Burstyn, Ashley Judd, James Garner, Maggie Smith: About bonding and emotional scars left on others. Interesting setup turns into a sitcom with Sandra Bullock as a playwright interviewed where her views of her mother are not taken pleasantly. The Ya-Ya Sisterhood is four women who made a pact in their younger years. Ellen Burstyn plays Bullock's mother whose behaviour is so excessive that she sends Bullock photos with her face burned out. Likewise Bullock issues wedding invitations missing the date and time. The remaining sisters decide to drug Bullock and spirit her away where reflection and harsh growing up begins. Director Callie Khouri is backed with decent sets. Ellen Burstyn is too excessive with contrived reasoning. Sandra Bullock as her daughter is reciting tired material. Ashley Judd as young Burstyn delivers the one performance that works as she displays her pain and grief from her past. James Garner as Burstyn's husband is there for plot convenience. There are a few veteran actresses involved in this tripe led by Maggie Smith who is better than this material deserves. Theme regarding abuse passed down is evident while the pain of the screenplay is even more noticeable. In the end this is just a laughable contrivance right up to its corny ending. Score: 5 ½ / 10

Movies that feature "women-only" themes are few indeed and at any given time we can count their existence on one finger. Hollywood loves reminding us that "it's a man's world, baby" and I would hazard a guess that 95% of current box office offerings are male-centered (That is, male = hero, victim, anti-hero; with a female = smart talking' and lookin' and barely visible unless required to provide booty, tears, or encouragement to - you guessed it, the male!).So when a movie with a female-centered cast and theme (trivialized by the term "chick flick") is served to us, I watch with a wary eye and a hopeful heart. Why? Because most chick flicks are written, directed, and produced by men...maybe that's why there are so few of them! To the credit of The Divine Secrets of The Ya-Ya Sisterhood, it didn't disappoint my heart or my head.The Ya-Ya Sisterhood takes the universal theme of mother-daughter conflict and serves it up as refreshingly as a mint julep on a scorching day. Taking place in Louisiana, this movie leads us through a merry romp of friendship and fierce loyalties, stopping along the way to tug at our heart strings and drag out the tissues (don't all good chick flicks?).The plot centers around a young director (Sandra Bullock) who is estranged from her Old School Southern Belle mother (Ellen Burstyn) and nervous about her upcoming nuptials. Through the "divine" intervention of the Ya-Ya's - a three woman tag-team of family friends - (played by Maggie Smith, Shirley Knight, and Fionnula Flanagan) the daughter is able to heal old familial wounds and welcome her new role as daughter, wife (and future mother).Yet, layered within this beautiful film is three levels of female experience, told through the life of Maiden-Mother-Salty Sage women Burstyn and Ashley Judd. (I'd like to see Judd get a nod at the next award show for this multi-faceted role.) Add to that a funny and tender juxtaposition of the men in their lives (James Garner and Angus MacFadyen) and everyone is sure to get their Ya-Ya's out! Unforgettable in every way!

I think this movie was OK. I went with my mom and it hit too close to home. I did not know fully, what it was about. When I saw her daughter suffering over her mothers medical addiction and the parents sleeping in different rooms. I lost it. When I was 8, my earliest memory was helping my mom to the bathroom because she couldn't walk, she was so drugged upped. I would give anything to make my childhood normal. My only wish is to give my 5 year old a good childhood. I think movies should say if they include parents on drugs and what not. If your parents are normal you don't understand. How do you tell a person they need help? Kid's mean more than anything...

one of my 3 all time favorites. i loved it all. the cast was perfect. i've watched it about 73 times so far. love to see an uncut version. the lines were great and i haven't been able to pick out a favorite character, line, nor scene. it was all good. Angus was perfect for his role. i had seen him in a few other flicks, but this really opened my eyes to his abilities. James G. is always good. All the women played magnificent parts. I'd like to know some of the background on how they prepared for the different stages of their characters to be able to blend the different times. that should be interesting. i watch it about 2 times a week - even 4 years later.