30 Second Bottom Line: A mother/daughter relationship is strained further by a negative TIME magazine interview, which sheds disparaging light on the matriarch's past. In an effort to finally mend this open wound, the mother's three lifelong friends kidnap the daughter and reveal to her the secrets of her mother's past.
Story Line: "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood" is a multi-layered story that unabashedly celebrates the unconditional love and friendship between a group of Louisiana women. Traversing a time period of over a half century, this emotionally charged saga centers on the troubled relationship between the headstrong Vivi Walker (Ellen Burstyn) and her daughter Sidda (Sandra Bullock). Vivi goes ballistic after reading a TIME magazine interview of her theatrical director daughter, in which she comments that her mother is "wounded and complex." It doesn't help that Sidda's soon-to-open play is an autobiographical piece entitled "Dark Waters," complete with a neon liquor sign on the set-a sad reminder to Sidda of her mother's destructive drinking.
Slamming phones, shredded photographs and the ultimate jab-Sidda's wedding invitation with the date, time and place carefully removed-are the war efforts between these very volatile women. "Vivi Walker never got over anything in her booze-soaked life!" Sidda screams to her always calm fiancé, Connor.
Deciding that this "…extreme situation calls for extreme measures," Vivi's lifelong trio of friends¾self-named the "Ya-Yas"¾visit Sidda in New York, where they slip a tranquilizer in her cocktail and transport her back to Louisiana. Outrage turns to understanding as Sidda learns the hidden secrets of her mother's painful past as the story jumps from Vivi's childhood through her adolescence and her marriage to Shep (James Garner). A jealous, religious fanatic mother, an overly attentive father and the death of her fiancé chip away at Vivi's fragile psyche, leading her to the torment of depression and drinking as the story unfolds in flashbacks.
Overwhelmed by her mother's gut-wrenching past, Sidda learns to forgive. The unfailing support of her dad finally sets her straight. "Think of the good times," he counsels and she does.
This emotional roller coaster concludes with Vivi's birthday party and a tearjerker reconciliation between mother and daughter on the porch swing. The Ya-Ya's prevail as they initiate Sidda into their fold in a traditional ceremony, celebrating their sisterhood. The power of womanhood was never stronger.
Tell Me More About It: Adapted from the best-selling novel by Rebecca Wells, "The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood" marks the directing debut of Callie Khouri, Oscar-winning writer of "Thelma and Louise," the controversial 1991 feature that slammed men and sanctified girlfriend loyalty. "Ya-Ya" cements Khouri's reputation as a filmmaker to watch.
Transferring this novel to the screen was no small feat with its continual shifts in time and numerous characters. Admittedly, there are a few times when a name tag on a character would have helped immeasurably. However, that is a minor flaw in a magnificent work that assembles an incredible cast that seems to revel in this veneration of the female friendship. Screenwriters, Khouri and Mark Andrus have done Wells' original novels justice. The dialogue virtually crackles with wit and wisdom. Not since 1989's "Steel Magnolias" has a film given so many middle-aged women such rich, variegated roles. In a Hollywood that lauds unwrinkled skin and tight abs, it is a refreshing relief to watch a movie that shows older, strong, self-assured women rallying together. Burstyn, Knight, Smith and Flanagan: in the same film? What a coup!
The performances here will confound the Academy come Oscar time, since every player astounds. There isn't a clinker in this massive cast that includes three different actors to portray each Ya-Ya, in a trio of time periods. Ashley Judd as the younger Vivi has the most challenging role, leaping from ecstasy in an airplane with her daughter, to the despair of her destructive depression as she whips her children with a belt. Her striking physical resemblance to Ellen Burstyn only adds to the strength of her portrayal. Judd's take on Vivi is a stirring accomplishment from an actress formerly mired in silly, damsel-in-distress roles like "Double Jeopardy" and "Eye of the Beholder."
Even the men in the cast-James Garner and Angus MacFadyen-with their limited scenes manage to make the most of it. With just a raise of an eyebrow, Garner conveys the emotions of a man caught in the midst of the storm for most of his married life. And MacFadyen as Sidda's beleaguered fiancé adds a calming outsider whimsy to the whole, complicated mess. It is no small surprise that the vexed Vivi finds him the easiest to talk to.
There is a delicate balance between tragedy and comedy in the labyrinthine plotlines of "Divine Secrets" and it is accomplished with aplomb. Indeed, with the acerbic humor of Maggie Smith's oxygen-toting Caro or the road-blocking maneuvers of Fionnula Flanagan's feisty Teensy-just to cite a few examples-this would be one dark, heavy film.
Instead it is a joyously funny, heart-breakingly sad trip through the times of some very remarkable women who never give up and are always there for each other. The outrageous personalities of these Southern women who love unconditionally are the messengers of a simple life lesson that finally becomes the best reason to see this terrific film. Long live the Ya-Ya's.
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