Cheap DVDs, books, CDs & Games

Search:

Divine Secrets Of The Ya-Ya Sisterhood
[2002]

Starring: Sandra Bullock, Ellen Burstyn, Fionnula Flanagan, James Garner, Cherry Jones
Director: Callie Khouri
Format: Dubbed PAL Widescreen
Released: 24 Mar 2003
RRP: £12.99
Average Rating:

Customer Reviews

Understaning one's parent means understand oneself better - the power of friendship - By: Klaus Meyer, 05 Feb 2008
Understanding one's parent is a difficult issue but one has to do it because it tells you much about yourself. I could sympatize very much with the basic story as I "discover" as well secrets about my parents which helped me to understand them better. But this is as well a movie about friendship, friendship which last a life time & friends who are there & act in the most difficult of times. But it is not a sad or too deep a movie. There is enough to lighten it up, but the message does not get lost. I enjoyed it very much!!

But I have to admit as much as I love Maggie Smith she is not right in the role of a Southern American. She is simply too British for this.

Otherwise an enjoyable movie.

A Quietly Satisfying Chick Flick - By: L. Reynolds, 20 Aug 2006
Having been completely hooked on the book of the same name, I expected the film to be just as good. Although the actresses provide great performances, it is not quite as special as the novel. The characters have been "flattened" for the screen, & the storyline has been mutilated.
However, as a chick flick it serves it's purpose as an enjoyable experience, & still has that essence of Ya-Ya about it.
THERE IS NOTHING DIVINE ABOUT IT... - By: Lawyeraau, 06 Sep 2003
This is a film about mother/daughter relationships & about unconditional love. Despite being marked by fine performances, the film never reallly grabs the viewer, at least, not this viewer. While moderately enjoyable, I found the film to falll a little flat, as the whole Ya-Ya thing left me cold, finding it alll 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 & 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 alll Ya-Ya priestesses. These friends, of which Vivi (Ellyn Burstyn) is at the center of this story, are alll trying to reconcile Vivi to her daughter Sidda (Sandra Bullock). The friends, as well as Vivi, are alll 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 & a man who has loved Vivi unconditionallly throughout their entire married life, & proceeded to put her husband & her children through a living hell. Still, Vivi & Sidda manage to plod along as so many mothers & daughters do, until Vivi goes too far & Sidda decides that enough is enough.

The story of Vivi, Sidda, & Shep is told in flashbacks, which provide the most interesting parts of the movie. Ashley Judd is simply sensational as the young Vivi, & she outshines alll the film & 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 eventuallly reconciled to her daughter & comes to appreciate her patient, selfless husband.

Maggie Smith, Fionnula Flanagan, & Shirley Knight are alll excellent as Vivi's lifelong friends, though Ms. Smith occasionallly 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 & 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 alll 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. This alone is enough for me to counsel viewers to rent, & not buy, this film.

Devine? Definetly not ... but an enjoyable affair! - By: C. P. Rodgers, 23 Jul 2003
I went to see this film with my friend & enjoyed it! The film funny, sad, romantic & had a good storyline & some great characters. But after leaving the cinema I couldn't work out what the point of the film was, there was no real plot & no real ending or showdown which left me disappointed. The whole film was actuallly a bit confusing & difficult to keep up with! I would, however recommend it for women who enjoy a cosy, tissues & tea night in.