A Southern-flavored comedy concerning a group of friends attempting to help another friend deal with her eccentric mother in this film starring Sandra Bullock, Ashley Judd, Ellen Burstyn and James Garner. The film is the directing debut of Thelma and Louise screenwriter Callie Khouri based on the novel of the same name that was part of Oprah’s now defunct book club.
There are movies that are aimed squarely at a certain group of people and will not appeal one bit to almost anyone but that specific group. While films that fit into niches are nice to have around for people who happen to fit into the particular niche, the films usually don’t have breakout success because of their limited appeal to the general public in whole. Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood is one such film. Being based on an Oprah Book Club selection may have helped the sales of the novel, that fact will also be a key factor in limiting the box office total of this film despite the high profile cast. Will males want to see this film unless they are dragged to it with their partner? I think not. Males would much rather go and see Bad Company, a mediocre action film aimed at a male audience. There is also the fact that the film really doesn’t stand out on any level.
Callie Khouri’s direction is very workmanlike and altogether unspectacular but not terrible. She stages a few of the more comedic moments involving Bullock’s relationship with her mother very well and therefore the scenes come across as funny. Unfortunately, she apparently doesn’t have a clue how to wring emotions from the audience because the more serious moments of the film are overwrought and almost painful to watch. These moments usually end up with all the characters yelling at one another and a few moments later, a character is crying and the other is apologizing and consoling them.
The acting is also underwhelming considering the ample talent gathered. Sandra Bullock fares the best because her role is the focus of the film and she gets the opportunity to show-off her talent for comedy. Ashley Judd, on the other hand, fares much worse. Her character is basically a southern stereotype and she doesn’t do anything to change that with her atrocious attempt at an accent. The rest of the cast does okay in their roles but don’t stand out. Garner, in particular, as Bullock’s father, doesn’t have much to do as one of the few male characters featured in the film.
Overall, The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood is no doubt a film that will appeal to an older female audience and those already fans of the source novel, but others not initiated won’t find much to like.
Rating: 67
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