Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +3 Content: -3

Sandra Bullock stars as budding playwright Siddalee Walker in this story that spans sixty years. Sidda tells a reporter about her eccentric Southern mother, Vivi Abbott Walker (Ellen Burstyn), who inspires her writings. However, Vivis life-long friends, who as children formed the secret Ya-Ya sisterhood, decide its time to let Sidda learn the truth about Vivi. Led by Caro (Maggie Smith), Teensy (Fionnula Flanagan) and Necie (Shirley Knight) kidnap Sidda and reveal the reasons behind events Sidda saw through a childs eyes. Although Vivi is not happy about what her friends have done, she knows they wont let her interfere. Meanwhile Connor (Angus MacFadyen), Siddas level-head fianc of seven years, meets Vivi for the first time and discovers why Sidda acts the way she does. James Garner plays Vivis long-suffering husband, while Ashley Judd plays the younger Vivi in flashback scenes. Mothers and daughters will particularly enjoy this tale of friendship, estrangement, reconciliation, and love.

Ya-Ya, a colloquial expression for talk, is something these aging Southern belles do frequently. The wry comments are often humorous, but the dialogue is also laced with numerous obscenities, crude terms and Gods name used in vain. Violence is limited, but some will cringe when Vivi takes a belt to her children. Vivi and her friends are often shown imbibing alcohol and, in flashbacks, Vivi drinks to excess. However, her drinking and drunkenness are not condoned. While some negative effects of drinking are shown and Sidda often comments about the constant alcohol use, the habit seems almost justified by others. Connor and Sidda live together but sexual content is suggestive rather than blatant. In one flashback, the four friends take a topless drive on a hot night, but no explicit nudity is shown. As a teen, Vivi stands up for a black maid when a cousin reflects the historical bigotry by using the N-word. Although the sisterhood rituals seen at the first of the film seem somewhat occultic, they are in the vein of childrens make believe. Another scene shows Vivis father demeaning her mothers Catholic faith when she mistakenly believes an expensive gift implies incest. However, Vivi is shown praying to Mary and asking to pass the message to her Son and His Father. Despite the positive messages about friendship and reconciliation, DIVINE SECRETS OF THE YA-YA SISTERHOOD suffers from too much vulgar ya-ya.

Preview Reviewer: Paul Bicking
Distributor: Warner Bros., 400 Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA 91522