A chick flick for chicks of all ages, "The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood" tells of four Louisiana ladies who establish their secret Ya-Ya sisterhood, bound by blood and oath and honor, at a young age and who remain friends over the years providing each other with friendship and support. The film's thin storyline is about one such "sister" (Burstyn/Judd) who has issues with her adult daughter (Bullock) and her sister Ya-Ya's who come to her rescue much to her dismay. What ensues is a warmly funny kind of jambalaya which makes up for its gaping plotholes with personality, charm, and rambunciousness as it stumbles through it story finally arriving gasping and wheezing at its feel good conclusion. Gagging material for grinches, most will find the "Ya-Yas" are just too damned much fun not to like on some level. (B)

My wife loves this film. This is a woman whose favorite films include any woman whose last name is Hepburn. Yes, she is a romanticist from the past — understandable since she has a Ph.D. in medieval history.

Because she's played the film enough times, I've had the opportunity to watch it both in its entirety and in bits and pieces. And there's really a lot to it that most viewers are missing.

Why?

I think it's because it grows on you. The parts are all incredibly well played — certainly expected of mature actors like Maggie Smith, Fionnula Flanagan and Ellen Burstyn. But here even Sandra Bullock is enticing not just in her looks but in her expression of her character.

Some films you like right out of the gate. We all know which ones they are. Others have to grow on you. And unfortunately too many films are never given a second chance. YA-YA SISTERHOOD is one.

Watching it a second or third time is like sitting around a campfire and telling the same story over for the umpteenth time. We've all heard it before, but we still want to hear it again.

For those who have dissed this film, give it another chance. Perhaps when you're older. Perhaps when you're in a romantic mood. Perhaps when you're tired of stupid comedies, disgusting horror films and over-the-top action thrillers. Then I'm sure you'll see it in a different light and think, "Well maybe YA-YA SISTERHOOD is indeed a little hidden gem."

Ms. Callie Khouri is a fine writer. I met her once. She's a fine lady, but she's a better writer and she deserves something other than this film to start her directing career.

The books in which this film is based are better than what Mark Andrus has adapted for the screen. At least in them, there is a certain charm of the time it evokes. Also, it was fun time in the bayous of that Louisiana of the past.

This film is a jumble of styles. At the beginning it appears as though we're in WWII, which would make the Sandra Bullock character about 65 or so. That would make the four original friends about 90? At least, that was my perception in looking at the costumes of the period since nothing is made clear.

As far as how the book translates on screen it is silly. What was the conflict between the parents? It is very stupid, to put it mildly, but then again, all those southern belles, as we have seen them in films, are rather vapid and flighty.

The circle of friends: Ellen Burstyn, Maggie Smith, Fionulla Flannagan and Shirley Knight are fine, as is Ashley Judd as the young Viv, who obviously loved her Bourbon, or whatever she drank. James Garner doesn't have anything to do.

Sorry Ms. Khouri, better luck next time, or try directing your own material.