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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Roger Ebert hated this movie, but I liked it as a story of the young woman Sidda (Sandra Bullock) who comes to grips with her strained relationship with her mother through the help of her mother's three lifelong friends.

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.

this movie was a little strange but once it got going it got the point across.

I avoided this movie for a long time because it was sold as a feel good mother-daughter movie. I was pleasantly surprised, and crying my eyes out, when I discovered that it was a dramatic look at how mothers can screw up their daughters. If you have a mother who you blame for your unhappiness, watch this movie and get a better understanding of how someone screwed up her life. Also, the Ya-Yas are some kind of Southern coven with altars and incantations.

YA YA YA YA YA I GET IT BUT WHAT SECRETS? THE MOCIE NEVER REVEALS THE SECRETS ITS PISSES ME OFF@!

A Southern woman's inner demons and battles with the bottle cloud her daughter's happiness. When an unflattering New York Times review portrays Sidalee's mother Viv as a child abuser, a rift in the relationship takes an awful turn. To the rescue are Viv's childhood friends who want to help Sidalee understand the dark pangs of her mother's life so she can see beyond her own guilt. A tear jerker just like Steel Magnolias.

First of all, this movie really appeals to me since I grew up in the South and can relate to many aspects of the movie. I love the mother-daughter bonding and sisterhood elements, and I LOVE the music. I loved the Cajun music (real Cajun folk music, not zyedeco), and "Selah" by Lauryn Hill just couldn't be a better fit. I don't know why some thought it was boring; I could watch it almost everyday. I think they could've done more research on the local accents...but I've seen very few Southern-themed movies that are even close to accurate sounding...c'est la vie. Yes, you hear the infamous, overused "r" dropping and slow Forrest Gump speech, but I digress. If you can get past that, you see some truly remarkable, beautiful women that all women, no matter what locale, can relate to. I've always adored Sandy Bullock, and Ellen Burstyn is superb. The casting is excellent, as they found actresses who not only fulfilled their roles spectacularly but also favored their older and younger counterparts. The movie deviates from the book quite a bit, but remains true to the spirit of the book. A must-see for women everywhere.

Ok not the best. I like some of the scenes but not others. I thought it had plenty of depth but sure made vivis charictor into a shmuck 80% of the time. She wasn't all that bad. it only really showed 2 full scenes & a few mini flashbacks of vivi being tender and loving with her kids.
The cast is great, though I pay no attention to stars or rather only know most stars by what else I'd seen them in.
I should warn you there is a scene of rather nasty child abuse where having been given some bad meds by a quack Dr she goes after her innocent and terrified children with a belt in a poaring rainstorm. if you've been abused or know people who were beware this scene. It is well acted & has a very good story line. BTW the point is she (sandra bullock) sidda needs to understand not only is her mom not all bad but what makes her sorta nuts at times has roots of her childhood which reflected on Sidda's childhood and she must sort them out before she can forgive Vivi of what went wrong & move on with her life to marry her dream guy.

I saw the film about two years after reading the book. Having enjoyed the book very much, I was curious to see how authentic the representation of the Old South would be in the short time duration taken by the film version. Besides, the book dealt with a search for self identity by the main protagonist in the background of an alcoholic mother. I wondered whether justice would be done to both themes.

I was not disappointed. All right, the incidents in the book have been modified a bit, in view of the time constraints. That's not a problem; the same thing has been done in the mega attraction, 'Gone with the Wind'. However, the feeling I was left with after viewing the film was, in almost exact terms, a reinforced version of the book. It was a conglomeration of several ingredients, the languid, liquid accents and the gentle, kindly solicitousness of the Ya-Ya sisterhood, the inflexible, stubborn independence of the main protagonist, unyielding in her search for her own identity, all these come alive even in the changed context. The manuscript is well contained and does not falter. This is one of the few films which carry the flavours and aromas of the Old South of the United States as few others do. Warmly recommended.

The best thing about this unabashedly gushy chick flick is its wonderful cast. Carrie Khouri wrote and directed (her biggest hit, the much better THELMA AND LOUISE). The story focuses on a quartet of older ladies who have been friends since childhood, founders of their own secret society, The Ya Yas. When one of their members' daughter gives a scathing interview to Time Magazine, the three conspire to bring her home to Louisiana and set her straight on a deep dark secret, that once revealed isn't that "awful" at all.
But the movie works because of the performers: Sandra Bullock as daughter Sidda who wonders why her mama went off and left her for a six month period; Ellen Burstyn as Vivi, the mama whose dark secret has blemished her relationship with Sidda; Maggie Smith wonderful as the asthmatic Necie, who steals most of her scenes; Fionnula Flannagan as Teencie, whose brother was young Vivi's one true love; James Garner as Vivi's husband, Shep, a kind man who knew he wasn't what Vivi really wanted but loved her enough to put up with her; Shirley Knight as Teensey, a charming Southern lady whose "normality" is different from her friends; and the movie's best performance from Ashley Judd, the young Vivi whose picture perfect life was shadowed by a jealous mother, and a lost love, and who falls into serious mental problems. Judd is wonderful in this role. Angus McFadyen rounds out the cast as Sidda's fiance, a reasonable rational man who really loves Sidda.
DIVINE SECRETS pulls all the right strings and reaches its inevitable conclusion.

Frankly I'm just pleased as peas to see Ashley Judd in anything other than those innocent woman being stocked by a psyhopath until she opens a can whoop arse. (i.e anything with her and Morgan Freeman and Tommie Lee Jones). As for Bulloch, she does a decent job but really--isn't she the same character in every movie, too? (the one exception: Crash) Overall, I'm not too sure what the point of this movie is--but it's okay to watch on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

I anticipate this review will not garner too many "helpful" votes (since a majority of people appear to have enjoyed this movie), but it is something I need to say anyway.

I am writing this review because I've read quite a few reviews (written by men and women alike) stating that men will hate this film whereas "women will love it." I am a woman and I absolutely hated this movie, the only reason being that it was absolutely boring, and, for lack of a better word, stupid. I can't tell you why it was so painfully boring, but I'm guessing it had something to do with the plot, which is yawn-inductive to begin with.

It is rare that I give out the one-star rating, but this is one of those movies it actually pained me to sit through. I watched it at a family member's house and I fell asleep 3 times. (Note that I am an insomniac and I do not fall asleep easily.) I can't help but resent it a little when people say that "women will love this movie" because it was quite honestly one of the most boring movies I, as a perfectly legitimate woman, have ever seen. To add insult to injury, the Ya-Yas are terribly annoying. A couple of reviewers have said that "to call this a 'chick flick' is insulting to all chicks," and I vehemently agree. I understand that some women probably will like it; my point is only that not all of us will enjoy this dull, insipid movie just because we're chicks.

Despite its silly title, which just refers to a childhood game, this is a profoundly serious movie about reconciliation.

It spans three generations of women, tormented by religion and mental breakdown. It explores three generations of mother-daughter relationships.

This would be a great movie for any child of an abusive mother.

Siddalee, the Sandra Bullock character, gradually comes to understand her grandmother and mother and is thus gradually able to forgive them.

It is a frustrating movie. I found myself demanding the plot bound along with series of Hollywood contrivances, but it meanders and backtracks, tantalising then not delivering, much like real life.

The unbearably aching mood of reconciliation and nostalgia gradually develops, partly due to the long suffering, ever-loving Shep Walker (James Garner in a low-profile role quite unlike the ones he normally plays), and Connor (Angus Macfadyen), Siddalee's ever-patient Irish boyfriend.

Maggie Smith is in it, reason enough to go.

The movie recreates the south in lush technicolor over three generations, a visual feast.

If you are embarrassed to cry in public, make sure to watch this alone.

"Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood" is based upon the novel of the same name, a tale of female friendships withstanding the ups and downs of a segregated South, WWII, and battles with alcohol and prescription drug addiction. Vivi, Teensy, Necie, and Caro are the Ya Ya's, bonded in a midnight blood-swapping First Nations-inspired ceremony complete with headdresses and Ya Ya war chant. They slip into adolescence together, sharing first crushes, a night in jail over indecent exposure, and supporting each other through humiliation and loss.

Siddalee, Vivi's adult daughter who happens to be a successful playwright in New York, says more than she intends to in an interview, and the offensive results are published in Time Magazine. When Vivi reads Sidda's confessions of her mother's beatings, alcoholism, and dark nature, she is outraged, writing Vivi out of her will and cutting her face out of all of the family photos. The remaining Ya-Yas (Maggie Smith, Fionnula Flanagan, Shirley Knight, Ellen Burstyn) come to the rescue by kidnapping Sidda and bringing her back to Louisiana to share with her the secrets of the Ya-Yas.

The movie's most grievous flaw is playing up the material as a comedy. In the book, the elements of comedy serve to enlighten an otherwise dark, tragic tale of loss, abandonment, and abuse, but the film shoots itself in the foot by trying to elicit laughs.

The casting is also suspect: although James Garner plays a strong, silent husband with a tender heart, the Ya-Ya actresses (one from England, one from Ireland) never seemed authentically "Southern," most times looking lost, and frequently slipping into their native accents. For once, could someone cast Southern women as Southern women, please? Ashley Judd is luminous as the young Vivi, but bears nothing in common resemblance-wise with Ellen Burstyn, who plays older Vivi. Sandra Bullock is a restrained Sidda, much more earthbound than the zany, alcohol-sodden Ya-Yas (the scene with Sidda and the Ya-Yas in the restaurant was just painful--Note to producers: it is NOT funny drugging someone with a date rape drug).

The original novel, at over 300 pages, has been cut down to a two-hour film, but in doing so, eliminates important subplots (Vivi's confinement and near-death illness in a nightmarish Catholic school as punishment from her hatred-filled, obsessively French Catholic mother) and changes others (Sidda's elephant ride becomes a plane ride). Willetta's mistreatment at the hands of rich, pro-Civil War relatives (calling her the n-word, making her wear a maid's uniform) forces young Sidda to see for the first time that Willetta has a family and feelings, too, but the scene is cut short in an attempt to play it up as comedy (a food fight at the table). The book's original explanation behind Shep planting sunflowers for Vivi is never explored, so the film's touching symbolism of sunflowers (on Sidda's warbonnet, the film's poster) is never explained and doesn't make sense for those that haven't read the book.

The soundtrack by T Bone Burnett (the man behind O Brother Where Art Thou) is worth purchasing, as it combines Cajun, blues, gospel, and standards by a variety of artists, capturing the feel of the post-WWII South, but the DVD should be a rental. Extras include a behind-the-scenes featurette, trailer, and scrapbook. This will appeal to fans of the original book, but may not make much sense to everyone else because of the massive plot trimming.

The movie is a brillant mix of drama, love, and comedy. The casting was brillant with greats like Judd and Bullock.

In the movie we are introduced to Siddalee Walker a women who has made her mother Vivianne mad. Vivianne always seemed heartless and distant to Sidda and when Sidda tells a reporter about her mother some things get twisted out of proportion and printed the wrong way, which makes Vivi mad. Enter the Ya-Ya's three of Vivi's friends. They feel that Sidda should know the truth about her mother and maybe she would understand. So they kidnap Sidda and start to tell her about her mother. We learn that Vivi wasn't well liked by her own mother and was seen as a bad person by her mother. Then we learn that Vivi's first love whom she never got over was killed at war which is why she hates her husband. Sidda then starts to question her current realationship thinking she'll be a bad mother and calls off her wedding. Phase two of the Ya Ya's plan. They must tell Sidda something about her mother that will change everything.

Very good plot that will make you cry and laugh at the same time. This would be a good one to watch with friends or mothers.

Penny Lane

the reasons i watched this film:
1 i read the book & loved it
2 i like sandra bullock movies
3 ashley judd's a strong actress

& i wasn't disappointed.

this film makes you laugh/cry - ok, it can be a little cheesy, but you forgive it any of that for the sentimentality it evokes.

so much of it hits you in the stomach, as it is real, vivi's breakdown, "losing it" with the kids (dropping the basket)
the childhood friendship bond between girls/women that never frays. the grown-up daughter with the "issues" with her mother.
& also that feeling that "time is a healer" -
ps: When sidalee asks "jim rockford" - "daddy, were you loved enough?" - that question should be universal as a blueprint to a life.

Sandra Bullock is so funny,spunky,and a talented actress.This is my favorite movie of hers.I've seen all her movies.In each she is bubbly and fun-loving and cool.She's a great role model for young girls.I liked 'Miss Congenaitly'and 'Hope Floats.' I'm a 15-year-old girl who adores her.She's my favorite actress and celebrity and she's always making great movies.I loved this movie.It's about a playwright in New York City named Sidda Walker who has a torn realionship with her flaky mother,who gave her a tough upbringing in Lousiana.Sidda tells 'Time' magazine about her unhappy childhood and eccentric mother, causing Vivi Walker to swear she'll never speak her daughter again.However,after her long-time friends the Ya-Yas step in to show Sidda the story behind it all,both learn more about each other and themselves.Ashley Judd plays Vivi as a young woman and in flashbacks it shows Sidda as a little girl,growing up in the South where she both remembers the hard times when her mom's "drunken rages" hurt her and also the good times,when her mom made sure she got to go on a plane ride that she was scared to go on at first but in the end it was her best memory of her mother when Sidda sees in the end her mama really did love her.Sandra Bullock plays Sidda well,and is funny and emotional at the same time.Also Ashley Judd plays Vivi in her teen years,and it shows how by the friendship of her long-time friends that she made it through all it.The Ya-Ya's close bond shows how friendship really can help you through tough times and good times.The main value in this dramatic comedy is that your friends will always be there for you in the end and how your parents may not be perfect,but they always care about you in the end,too.The Ya-Yas are really funny,too.I loved this movie and I liked the book,too.Sandra Bullock is the best actress and role model on the face of the planet and she rocks.

Oh the story of mothers and daughters a never-ending battle between good and evil. This is the movie that any daughter and mother can relate too. I love this movie and watch it often.

The movie starts as a grown Sidda(Sandra Bullock)and now famous playwright talks to the Times about her childhood-telling some less than flattering things about her mother. When Sidda's mother reads the article all hell breaks loose. That's when the Ya-Yas come in good friends to Vivine they decide it's their task to help Sidda understand her mother's past so, they do what any good friend would do- kidnap Sidda and tell her the secrets the Ya-Yas have shared. Through this ordeal Sidda understands a little more about herself and the relationship she has with her mother evening learning to forgive her mother for some abuse she suffered as a child. All in all this is a hillarous coming to terms with life comedy. I found myself questioning my own relationship with my mother.

Sandra Bullock gives her best performance, while the rest of the all star cast shines just as brightly. This a movie that every mother and daughter should watch together! Perfect treat for mother's day or a girls night movie fest! All in all don't wait click the buy now button!

I just saw this movie and it was very good. Some parts I didn't like that is why I gave it 4 stars. Like TBS says it's the funnies movie that will make you cry.

Movies are not books. They can't reach in your mind and work it out the way you "saw" it when you read. That being said enjoy the great cast and unfolding story as if you'd no idea what was coming and all will be well. I had no trouble staying involved - sorry for the folks who would find this unmoving enough to watch without caffine - it had emotional punch enough for me to have tears in my eyes. Also my husband enjoyed it so it's not just a Chick Flick.

If ever a movie betrayed the cause of the book that spawned it, it is "The Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood."

Rebecca Wells's marvelous book tells the story of a small band of wartime friends whose lives and fantasies are infused with the mythical feminine. Symbols and experiences of femaleness run throughout the book -- from tarted up Holy Ladies to time-stopping rides on a (female) circus elephant. What images the movie does take are either masculinized (turning the elephant into a phallic airplane piloted by a man!) or diminished and cutesified (the girls flashing their bras at a local police officer rather than floating in a mother-bath under moonlight in a watertower).

Read the book instead, or listen to Rebecca Wells's terrific reading of the abridged version.

This movie doesn't seem to have a very good rating on Amazon. I have no earthly idea why. It will go down in history as one of the great Southern classics as far as I'm concerned. In my opinion, it is the "Steel Magnolias" of the new millineum. It has wit, charm, drama, and amazingly funny dialogue. It will make you laugh, cry, and just feel warm all over. The story of a troubled childhood in which nothing was really understood, a southern belle watching her youth slip away, and all the criss-crossing heartstrings or friends, family, and lovers. If you read the book, I feel the movie does a much better job of conveying the story. In short, this film was fabulous!

I absolutely adore Sandra Bullock and Ashley Judd, that's the only reason why I watched this movie. At the end, I wasn't that disappointed but I wasn't thrilled. I have seen much better, not that Bullock and Judd didn't give amazing performances, I just think this could have been better. Firstly, I know it's how the ladies are looking back on the days but Judd should have been in it more, at least had more lines. I loved the wit of Bullock's finance though! It's probably a much better movie for older people, maybe when I'm 30 I'll see it again but there's nothing much I can really say about it.

This is a fantastic movie, about the relationships between mothers and daughters. Siddalee Walker, played by Sandra Bullock, is a playwright on the verge of getting married to her Irish sweetheart. When an article comes out in a magazine which condemns Sidda's childhood, her mother vows to never speak to her again.

At the center of the movie, however, are the Ya-Yas, four childhood friends (including Vivian Abbott Walker), who rally around each other in the toughest of times. The three other Ya-Yas kidnap Sidda and bring her back to Louisiana, giving her a books- the Divine Secrets of the Ya-Yas. Sidda learns much about her past and her mother's, as the two explore their relationship to one another.

Its a powerful movie, about family and friendship. James Gardener, in a change from action-packed movie, plays Shep Walker. Maggie Smith pulls on the southern drawl.

I LOVED THIS MOVIE!

The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood tells the story of how the Ya-Yas, try to fix the gap between mother and daughter, daughter and fiancee, and in doing so, lead to a greater, deeper level of understanding between all of them as well.

I highly recommend this movie for all mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends.

It's not just about that but its so much more having real friends who would go against you in order to help you! This is such a great movie.

To tell you the truth I wasn't all that excited to see the film, just excited to have a girl's night out. I was pleasantly surprized. Sandra Bullock was wearing makeup in a movie for a change and did a better acting job than usual. Ashley Judd, who I didnt' even realize was in the film, gave an Oscar-worthy performance (though I doubt she'll be recognized for it). I've always thought she was beautiful but never considered her a fantastic actress until now. Magie Smith is wonderful, as usual and all of the other old ladies are do a fantastic job. It was nice to have a movie about women that doesn't focus entirely on the joys of youth, maturity has it's advantages. The man who plays Bullock's fiancee made me swoon, so handsome, charming and that great Irish accent. The southern accents in the movie are fun and the southern landscapes are breathtaking. Definitely a chick flick and good for men who want to understand more of the complexities of women. Be prepared to cry and to think a lot about your relationship with your mother. I actually managed to get my husband to sit thru this one when it came out on DVD, which is a real feat.
3 1/2 stars.

It is a good film, and it is based on a girl who's mum never treated her with her best simpathy when she was younger. She is grown up now, and sidda meets her mum again after all that time. It keeps going back to when she was a child. I thought of it as been one of them films that it may not suit everyone.

I liked the book this movie is based on. I like most of the actors involved with the movie. Except for a few of the flashback scenes starring Ashley Judd, I hated this movie. The plot is complicated by the ludicrous and entirely invented kidnapping premise. Terrible. Terrible. The one star here is for Ashley Judd who is beautiful and perfectly cast.

I was prepared to laugh when I rented this movie. I wasn't prepared to cry. Ashley Judd's acting was superior. She portrayed the mother of Sandra Bullock's character in the earlier years. I could truly feel the pain of her story and that of Sandra's character. I did laugh, out loud and often. I cried the same way. This is a wonderful movie about families, friendships, and all the ways we live dysfunctionally.

I was surprised to see all the mediocre reviews for this movie. I very much enjoyed this tale from start to finish. It rang so clear on so many levels.... Separately and at the same time a tour de force about friendship, love, motherhood, secrets, the power of emotions and broken hearts and the unspoken and truth.

Ashley Judd and Ellen Burstyn both play their role(s) commandingly well. James Garner also stands out as the understated Shep.

There were certain questions I had, like "Where are the other three children, all grown up?" but in a two hour movie sometimes pieces aren't all explained.

I loved seeing The South as another character and the relationships between Vivi and all the people around her... from early childhood until we see her birthday party so many years later.

I watched this with my 12-year-old daughter and was a bit concerned about the "expressive" language (read a plethora of four letter words and I don't mean "love" although that is said, too, as is fear). Probably the most appropriate scene using bad language was between Vivi and Teensie during a "chicken-esque" car scene.... I said to my daughter, "Ya know? You've got to be really good friends to be able to talk to each other that way."

My daughter's response: "Yup, and to know you really don't mean it."

I would have liked to see a bit of a tighter performance from Sandra Bullock but with such a great group of actresses surrounding her... it would have been tough for anyone.

I highly recommend this one, especially for a "girl's night out" or "mother-daughter night."