When I first saw the trailers for "Divine Secrets" (forgive me if I choose not to use the full title), the two words that came to my mind was "chick flick" and, like most guys, avoided it like the plague. I finally got to see it at a friend's house, because she offered, and I was willing to give most movies a chance. In the end I found myself pleasantly surprised.
For those who may not know, "Divine Secrets" centers around the relationship between Siddalee Walker (Sandra Bullock) and her mother Vivi (Ellen Burstyn). Sidda is a famous writer/playwright who makes some disparaging comments about Vivi in a magazine interview. Vivi takes extreme offense to Sidda's comments and a small war between the two ensue. It's then up to the "Ya-yas" (Vivi's long-time friends) to show Sidda the other side of her mother and repair the mother-daughter bond before it's too late.
The Mother-Daughter relationship is a little "Joy Luck Club" and the southern dysfunctional family is straight out of "Prince of Tides" but "Divine Secrets" is nowhere near as serious as the previous two titles. This isn't to say that "Divine Secrets" isn't without its serious moments. Slight warning to those whose families come on the dysfunctional side: there are parts in this movie that will make you slightly uncomfortable if not cringe. But, as with good storytelling, the light and dark moments balance each other out.
Overall, on my movie hierarchy scale, "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood" is good enough for a Rental, or purchase on the cheap-o rack at Hasting's. Good Acting+Good Storytelling = good movie.
For those who may not know, "Divine Secrets" centers around the relationship between Siddalee Walker (Sandra Bullock) and her mother Vivi (Ellen Burstyn). Sidda is a famous writer/playwright who makes some disparaging comments about Vivi in a magazine interview. Vivi takes extreme offense to Sidda's comments and a small war between the two ensue. It's then up to the "Ya-yas" (Vivi's long-time friends) to show Sidda the other side of her mother and repair the mother-daughter bond before it's too late.
The Mother-Daughter relationship is a little "Joy Luck Club" and the southern dysfunctional family is straight out of "Prince of Tides" but "Divine Secrets" is nowhere near as serious as the previous two titles. This isn't to say that "Divine Secrets" isn't without its serious moments. Slight warning to those whose families come on the dysfunctional side: there are parts in this movie that will make you slightly uncomfortable if not cringe. But, as with good storytelling, the light and dark moments balance each other out.
Overall, on my movie hierarchy scale, "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood" is good enough for a Rental, or purchase on the cheap-o rack at Hasting's. Good Acting+Good Storytelling = good movie.