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Directed by |
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Starring |
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Specs |
- Widescreen 2.35:1
- 16:9 Enhanced
- Dual Layer (RSDL 59:24)
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Languages |
- English: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
- Italian: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
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Subtitles |
English, Italian, Hebrew, English - Hearing Impaired, Italian - Hearing Impaired |
Extras |
- Deleted scenes
- Theatrical trailer
- 2 Audio commentary
- Featurette
- Photo gallery
- Animated menus
- Music video
- Filmographies
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Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood |
Warner Bros./Warner Home Video .
R4 . COLOR . 112 mins .
M15+ . PAL |
Feature |
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Contract |
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Well, no doubt from the title most of you would have guessed the target audience for this film - did somebody say “chick flick”? I will do my utmost to give an honest and impartial view of the film, even though I am but a mere male. First things first is the big question, what the hell is a "Ya-Ya"? Quite simply it is a form of blood brothers, a group of young girls that decide to prove their loyalty toward each other by forming a sisterhood based on American Indian rituals and yes, blood is exchanged. Siddalee Walker (Sandra Bullock) is a playwright and quite a successful one at that. She has just given an interview to Time magazine and has unsuspectingly made a comment about her mother Viviane Abbott Walker (Ellen Burstyn) that is taken out of context. The problem now is the rift it causes between mother and daughter. The only possible way to resolve things is to call in the sisterhood, made up of Teensy (Fionnula Flanagan), Caro (Maggie Smith) and Necie (Shirley Knight). They decide to kidnap Sidda, give her an insight into the Ya-Ya’s and to try and show her why her mother is the way she is. "I hope this is not a real emergency, because I only brought one bottle of vodka!" |
Based in Louisiana, we are taken on a series of flashbacks looking at the past of the Ya-Ya ladies from their childhood to adulthood. It explores the relationships between women and, more importantly, between mothers and daughters. It looks at the hardships faced throughout their lives along with the joys, the one constant being the friendship between the four women. All have led interesting lives and these are recounted via a scrapbook the women have kept. There are touches of Fried Green Tomatoes, Beaches, Thelma and Louise and Steel Magnolias, but I must admit it doesn’t quite reach the potential of any of them. It is not a bad film by any means, but with a cast containing the likes of the divine Maggie Smith and the amusing Ellen Burstyn, this film could have been so much more. This is to take nothing away from the acting, the entire cast give terrific performances, there just seems to be a lack of any major events, dramatic or otherwise. I will freely admit to have not read the books of Rebecca Wells on which this film is based, but I would suggest this story makes for a far better read than a big-screen adaptation. Many should find enjoyment within this film, if for nothing else then at least for the superb cast on show, however I did find it a touch too uneventful and a little longwinded on occasion. There are a few laughs and the characters are very endearing, even with their annoying southern accents y’all, so I'd suggest that most women should enjoy this film, but I can’t see many men getting much from it.
Video |
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Contract |
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Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1 and 16:9 enhanced, this transfer is excellent. Picture is sharp throughout with very few problems, quite as you'd expect really for a recent release. Detail is excellent and colours are very natural. There is minor grain and aliasing in a couple of places, but these almost pass by unnoticed. There is also some slight edge enhancement, but again this is minor and causes no problems. The layer change is located at 59:24 during a scene change and causes little interruption. There is also a multitude of subtitles supplied and those viewed were reasonably accurate.
Audio |
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Contract |
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Audio for the main feature is supplied in a choice of English or Italian Dolby Digital 5.1, while the extras are generally in Dolby Digital 2.0. With my Italian being a little rusty (well, non-existent actually) I listened to the English versions of each. Being a predominantly dialogue-driven feature, this excelled in that area. Dialogue is always clear and audible and stays primarily on the front centre speaker. Surround use is minimal, with the rear speakers only needed for music ambience and the occasional directional effect. The subwoofer remains quite dormant throughout, but isn't really required. Music used is well suited and includes some fine songs from artists such as Macy Gray, Lauryn Hill, Ray Charles, Tony Bennett and Bob Dylan.
Extras |
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Contract |
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Overall |
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Overall this is one for women only. The cast is a collection of fine acting talent and this looks and sounds wonderful. Personally I found the story to be lacking, but perhaps my views would be different had I been female. A nice collection of extras accompany this release also, so if you have seen the film and loved it then go buy it, if not then I would suggest it still may be worth a rental.
LINK: http://www.dvd.net.au/review.cgi?review_id=2328
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And I quote... |
"A superb cast in a film aimed solely at women, this should please those ladies out there who enjoy films that explore relationships between mother and daughter." - Adrian Turvey |
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Review Equipment |
- DVD Player:
Sony DVP-NS305
- TV:
AKAI CT-29S55AT 68cm
- Receiver:
Sony STR-DE685
- Speakers:
Sony SAVE815ED
- Centre Speaker:
Sony SAVE815ED
- Surrounds:
Sony SAVE815ED
- Subwoofer:
Sony SAVE815ED
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