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Sandra Bullock, Ellen Burstyn, Ashley Judd, Fionnula Flanagan, Maggie Smith ... see more see more... , Cherry Jones , Shirley Knight , James Garner , Angus Macfadyen , Allison Bertolino , Caitlin Wachs , Jacqueline McKenzie , Katy Selverstone , Kiersten Warren , Leslie Silva , Matthew Settle , Gina McKee , David Lee Smith , Ron Dortch , Frederick Koehler , David Rasche , Mark Joy , Boyd Kestner , Mark Jeffrey Miller , Taj Mahal , Deborah Hobart , Michael Moyer , Nina Repeta , Ursula Burton , Ann Savoy , Don Baker , Austin R. Cooper , Sarah Huck , Alex Cooper , Alyssa May Gold , Mary Katherine Weiss , Nicki Tschudi , Clint Lienau , David Bridgewater , Sarallen , Veda Wilson , Michael Mattison , Barbara Weetman , Suellen Yates , E. Michael Hewett , Robert Longstreet , Gillian Johnson

Screenwriter Callie Khouri makes her directorial debut with this adaptation of a pair of popular novels by author Rebecca Wells, Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood and Little Altars Everywhere. Sa... read more read more...ndra Bullock stars as Sidda Lee Walker, a New York playwright who opens a can of emotional worms with her estranged, boozy mother, Vivi (Ellen Burstyn), when she discusses her painful childhood and particularly Vivi's less-than-enviable mothering skills in a Time magazine article. The eccentric Louisiana drama queen Vivi has already been barred from her daughter's oft-delayed wedding to her fiancé, Connor (Angus Macfadyen), so the article sends her into a rage. Coming to the rescue of the relationship are Necie (Shirley Knight), Caro (Maggie Smith), and Teensy (Fionnula Flanagan), a trio of bickering women, who, along with Vivi, formed a secret society of feminist empowerment and friendship 60 years earlier that they dubbed the "Ya-Ya Sisterhood." The Ya-Yas kidnap Sidda and bring her home to Louisiana, where they reveal to Sidda via a carefully maintained scrapbook her mother's painful past (with Vivi portrayed in flashback by Ashley Judd), effecting a rapprochement between mother and daughter. Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood also stars James Garner. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Flixster Users

62% liked it

64,991 ratings

Critics

44% liked it

144 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 56 min.

Directed by: Callie Khouri

Release Date: June 7, 2002

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DVD Release Date: November 5, 2002

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Stats: 2,542 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (2,542)

  • sanjurosamurai
    December 2, 2007
    sanjurosamurai
    this was a waste of time. it was well acted, but it was one of the slowest moving films i have ever seen.
  • superclerk25
    January 31, 2007
    superclerk25
    Jumbled movie about people you have a hard time liking.
  • deano
    November 29, 2006
    deano
    All female cast stars are fabulous and funny.
  • husky10000years
    April 21, 2007
    husky10000years
    Very good movie. The costumes were very realistic, the acting was awesome, and it truly felt like it captured friendship.
  • SunilJawahir
    May 16, 2008
    SunilJawahir
    Maggie Smith has a southern accent. I watched it for that and that's why it gets a star.
  • qtmemoe
    July 24, 2007
    qtmemoe
    I personally think that Ashley judd sucks & giving her such a role just ruined it...
  • fb9426219
    December 17, 2011
    fb9426219
    This is not really a true chick flick, but that does not mean it is a winner. It is different because is more of a mother-daughter film and it is darker and more dysfunctional than a typical romantic chick flick. The movie is a forced reconciliation between a mother and a daughte... read morer, which could have worked, but the route they take to get there, the sisterhood club element, and some of the unpleasant flashbacks did not work so well. The cast is strong and I thought it was the strongest aspect of the movie. Sandra Bullock and Ashley Judd and all of the older ladies worked quite well. I just wish more time went to telling their story and developing their character than the present day scenes. I will admit that it is not all bad; there are a few laughs to be had and a few moments to make you go, aw.
  • jam233
    January 15, 2010
    jam233
    I'll watch most anything with Ellen Burstyn and she doesn't disappoint in this film, she is terrific. Although it is not a great film, it does have enough good acting and a few memorable moments to give it a look. It's an appealing story with richly developed characters.
  • CheriHa
    May 21, 2009
    CheriHa
    not sure why everyone has a problem with this movie, ashley judd does an insanely good job & i love sandra bullock. it's a really good movie.
  • flikfreak77
    February 23, 2009
    flikfreak77
    I'm not a big fan of chick flicks but I loved this one...with Sandra Bullock and Ashley Judd you cant go wrong.

View All Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood Reviews

Critic Reviews

Todd McCarthy
September 5, 2008
Todd McCarthy, Variety

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... Full Review

Michael Wilmington
July 20, 2002
Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune

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. Full Review

James Berardinelli
June 11, 2002
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

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

Lisa Schwarzbaum
June 10, 2002
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly

Not one character in this ovarian jungle is particularly likable. Full Review

Peter Travers
June 10, 2002
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

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

Richard Roeper
June 10, 2002
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper

[T]here's alcoholism, there's child abuse, there's all sorts of tragedy, but it's handled in a sitcom manner, which is completely wrong for this material. Full Review

Michael O'Sullivan
June 7, 2002
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post

It thinks its message is feminist, but with its cast of uncommunicative, annoyingly ineffectual, southern-fried biddies, what it really ends up saying is 'Women: Can't live with 'em, can't shoot 'em.' Full Review

Ann Hornaday
June 7, 2002
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post

If Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood suffers from a ploddingly melodramatic structure, it comes to life in the performances. Full Review

Peter Howell
June 7, 2002
Peter Howell, Toronto Star

Neither the laughter nor the tears make a genuine emotional connection. Full Review

Mick LaSalle
June 7, 2002
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

There's no denying that Divine Secrets is a clumsy journey, but at the end we know we've been places. Full Review

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Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood Trivia

Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Siste... Trivia

  • What movie features Sandra Bullock, Maggie Smith, and Ashley Judd?  Answer »
  • Mother Daughter scrapbook Sandra Bullock Ashley Judd James Garner   Answer »
  • Hook Sister Act (1 & 2) The Secret Garden The First Wives Club Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood Harry Potter (1-5)   Answer »
  • The lady from the Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya sisterhood looking at pictures of when they were younger said she would "Give anything to know then what I know now, and to still have" what?  Answer »
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