Divine Secrets Of The Ya-Ya Sisterhood: Critic Reviews

Not one character in this ovarian jungle is particularly likable.

What have we done to deserve this treacly, badly-acted nonsense? Whose children have we run over in a previous life?

Gives us a lot to enjoy and something most studio movies don't even try for: an attempt at the richness, density and sheer contrariness of life.

While there are pleasures to be had from watching so many grand actresses strut their stuff, the fact is that the overriding preoccupation here rests with surface impressions rather than psychological probity.

As 'chick flicks' go, this one is pretty miserable, resorting to string-pulling rather than legitimate character development and intelligent plotting.

Except for Ashley Judd, who shows true grit as Vivi in her babe days, the effect is like being buried in molasses.

Chick flick for mom; teens may not enjoy it.

Sandra Bullock is great as Siddalee Walker, the angry and disgruntled woman who has a cross to bear with her mother and often exhibits the corky odd traits her mother does.

I heard something in the audience for Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood I don't hear often any more: the sound of middle-aged women laughing.

Better make the most of the first ten minutes of this execrable melodrama (directed by the scriptwriter of Thelma & Louise), because from then on it's the yackety-yack sisterhood in spades.

...if you plan on having a man watch this film with you, do him a favor...and don't.

Seeing the film, my initial, gut perception of those who form real life Ya-Ya Sisterhoods stands: these are women with way too much time on their hands.

There are some truly great actresses in this movie, but nearly all of them are wasted playing caricatures.

Though [Khouri] has an obvious flair for exploring the inner workings of the female mind, she unfortunately glosses over a pinnacle moment in the story and inevitably lets the viewer down.

That such strong, capable women are called on to carry a film as shoddy as Ya-Ya in front of and from behind the camera is hardly progress.

A tal irmandade Ya-Ya e de uma bobagem extremada, e o roteiro tem buracos incriveis, deixando de lado varios pontos sobre os irmaos de Burstyn e Bullock, que sao mencionados, mas nunca vistos.

...it becomes clear that these two hours would be better spent reflecting on our own treasured memories than getting confused by this group's sordid past.

...Mostly a load of pretentious crap, but it has its moments.

Since, at least as relates to its central plot, Ya-Ya cheerleads for the pure life-living gusto of its gaudy heroines, some spirited overacting and slathery screenwriting is less a liability than a guilty pleasure the movie is wholly in on.

It is the actresses' irreproachable ability to tap into the feminine psyche, to capture the beauty of female friendships and to demonstrate the complex love and loathe relationship often found between mothers and daughters that elevates this movie.

Cross-generational mother-daughter drama is a little familiar, but it'll still warm your heart.

Well-made, but frequently boring and predictable drama -- a couple of decent performances but the climax doesn't work and it's all been done better elsewhere.

With an assist from screenwriter Mark Andrus, and judicious borrowing from the follow-up novel Little Altars Everywhere, Ms. Khouri has tamed Rebecca Wells' sprawling narrative without sacrificing its emotional riches.

For all the quirky behaviour on display, there is still no personality, merely 'issues', their resolutions and a lot of frickin' ya-yas.

Not as good as the book it is based on...