User reviews

We often have expectations that a movie will follow a book to the letter. Due to time limitations, creative ideas, etc. the film makers often need to adjust the story from the book to fit the film. As a lover of both books and film I ask that those who turn a book into a film follow the spirit and the feeling of the book. I believe the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants director and screenwriters did just that.

Basically the book tells the story of 4 teenage girls who are experiencing their first summer apart ever, since they have known each other since birth. Unbelievably, they find a pair of jeans which fits each girl amazingly well, although they have very different body shapes. They take this to mean the pants hold some sort of magic, so promise to send the pants to each other throughout the summer and use it as a way of keeping in touch with each other (thus - the traveling pants). The pants are sent from Tibby (staying at home) to Bridget (in Baja California, Mexico at Soccer camp) to Carmen (with her father in North Carolina) to Lena (visiting her grandparents in Greece).

Three of the story lines are very true to the book, although with slight variations. Tibby's storyline is almost a perfect match to the book, Bridget's is close, and Carmen's is slightly varied showing her in a less mature light than in the book. Lena's story, on the other hand, is told completely in reverse of the book. However, I can understand the need to make this change, as the twists and turns of Lena's story in the book would have been difficult to project onto film. The end result: the girls experience the same issues in the movie as they did in the book, and they change in the way the book indicated. The "feel" of the movie is the same as that in the book.

This film is truly a coming of age story about young high school girls. It is beautifully filmed with lovely scenery from both Greece and Mexico. The actors portraying the young girls are very well cast and match the descriptions from the book. As a librarian, I can tell you that no movie can ever equal the movie you make in your head while you are reading a book. But, this movie is beautiful in its own right, and a lovely story of growing up female and experiencing love, passion, death, and disappointment. The girls learn that the love and friendship they share will help them to get through all the issues of growing up.

My 10 year old daughter and I went to see this yesterday. I haven't read the books, but she has. We had mixed reviews...I enjoyed the movie but Elizabeth was terribly disappointed. She kept whispering "Mom, that's not in the book"..."that didn't happen that way"...and apparently some pretty major discrepancies exist.

Because I didn't have any plot expectations. I thought the movie was well done. The characters were believable, the acting was great, the topics were handled in a manner that was suitable for my pre-teen to watch. The comments I overheard from the other audience members (99% teenage girls at this Friday matinée!) were positive.

My rating is a combination of my score (8 or 9) and her score (4 or 5). So just a word of caution...if you expect the move to follow the book, you may be disappointed.

Originally I had to read this book as part of my job reviewing fiction that is aimed at teens through young adults. The most recent trend I've noticed is the current uprise in books that talk about the real B****es of the high school world. The sex scandals, the drug busts, the foul mouthed youth...I'm only twenty and books like these have me saying "What's with those kids today" This book wasn't about that. It was about something really admirable that I would hope to read more of, an honest friendship. Plus it was well written to the point I was *EAGER* to finish it. (A note to those who haven't read...the audio book is one of the best read I've heard in ages and is worse the listen, it has the same actress as the initial trailer announcer) So I became a fan of the book and have been following this movie ever since, and as a fan I have to say that their are elements I would have liked to see in the movie, but the cut (or at least the cut at the screening) was lengthy but appropriate and did the best I think they could have to capture the book.

The real heart of this movie though is between the chemistry of the main actresses. Most of them are playing parts a good five to six years under their actual age, and yes they don't all fit the images I had in the book...but it's what they present that shows off. I think it's the added and personal experience these girls have had to go through in real life, mostly from age and experience that helps them to really develop these characters. I admire these girls friendships and connections, and at the same time I envy them...and even further on, it's seems a little too hopeful for it's own good. The world would be a better place if people could hold on like these girls do, through thick and thin, death and marriage.

Still, this movie is an excellent movie for teen audiences, and it has a lot more depth than recent fluffbits based on novels and old stories (See Ice Princess, A Cinderella Story, Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, etc.) It also has enough older audience humor to relate to all ages, but not to the dark (albeit funny...in a twisted sort of way) point of popular hits such as Meangirls. Personally I think it would have done better to have been released around mothers day as it's a movie definitely targeted at the female group. Mom's...you'll like this, because it's not quite to the sappy point of the notebook and retains a lot of good-natured humor. (at the same time you may not because it does discuss some teen issues...and it might insight conversations with the offspring) As a guy though...I still think it was pretty damn funny, in a heartfelt sort of way.

The only magic realism in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants is the one, one-size-fits-all pair of jeans worn the four female friends, whose summer adventures bring a dose of realism magical only for the insights into life, the pain and pleasure that come in from age seventeen to the end. As a coming-of-age film, this ranks with the best of them for non-condescending, adult-like perceptions, with nary a "like" in the girls' vocabulary.

Two of these lifelong chums have summer romances that transcend the usual sun and sand trifles; the other two deal with even more substantial challenges, ones that involve connecting with family or friends after years of disconnection. Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants offers no easy solutions to questions about openness, sexuality, parental neglect, and death. Rather each girl has an epiphany that grows naturally out of the frustrations accompanying inexperience and immaturity.

Love on a Greek island while riding a scooter like Audrey Hepburn through the streets of Rome demands confronting the intrusions of family reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet; love on a beach in Mexico unleashes longing for a parent that goes beyond a beautiful boy; a new life for a parent means the death of an old one for a child; and teen alienation turns to acceptance and even love through the magic of a new friend.

None of these realistic setups for teen enlightenment can make an engaging film unless the actresses are believable, and in Sisterhood each young woman carries her role with deftness and sincerity sometimes not found in the most seasoned actresses. Special recognition should be given to Jenna Boyd as 12-year old Bailey, who believably transforms one teen from misogynist to humanist. This little actress has the chops to win the Oscar someday.

The ten rules of the sisterhood are dominated by the logistical one that states, "You must pass the pants along to your sisters according to the specifications set down by the Sisterhood." FedEx does the delivery; the girls supply the specific adventures that echo the anguish and resilience of being a teen in a society that sometimes doesn't care. You will care for each girl; I guarantee it as if it were a pair of Levis, sturdy and malleable, sexy and comfortable. Come to think of it—that's Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.

Tibby (Amber Tamblyn), Lena (Alexis Bledel), Carmen (America Ferrera), and Bridget (Blake Lively) are lifelong friends from birth. They find a second-hand pair of jeans that magically fit them all. They are separating for the summer but vows to stay connected by sharing the magic pants. Lena has a Greek holiday with her Greek relatives. Bridget misses her dead mom and is away at soccer camp. Carmen is meeting up with her dad (Bradley Whitford) but he surprises her with a wedding to girlfriend (Nancy Travis). Tibby is stuck working the summer and finds Bailey (Jenna Boyd) passed out in the aisle.

The biggest fundamental problem for this movie is that the girls spend most of the movie apart. The point of these types of movies is for the group to develop chemistry together. This one assumes the chemistry and split the girls up. There is a reason why the best story is Tibby and Bailey. They are actually allowed to build up a relationship. Lena's story probably the weakest. It's way too light like a frivolous Greek holiday movie. The biggest asset in the movie are the four girls plus Jenna Boyd. They are all charming. They are all compelling actresses. Each one has something to contribute to the movie. The best scenes occur when the girls have a heart felt one on one. All in all, this is a sweet melodrama.

For starters, i have to admit that i'm 21 and really enjoy the books (all 3 of them). Because of that i was pretty excited to see the film, even though i know it couldn't live up to the book. Sadly, i was correct.

The acting was actually quite good, as was the casting. The only character i didn't like the casting choice, regardless of the fact that she did a fine job, was Tibby. Tibby, in the book, is described as small, meek, and undeveloped. She didn't look/act that way, really.

The stories themselves were decent. Carmen and Bridget's were almost dead on (minus the fact that they left out a vital scene in the end of Bridget's). Tibby's pretty accurate, but they left out a whole lot. Lena's was completely changed, which i didn't understand why they did.

It's a teen chick flick so you expect insane cheesy moments. And the film is full of them. The soundtrack was horrible, in my opinion, making the film even more ridiculous at times. There were laugh out loud parts that probably shouldn't have been that funny.

I think if you're a 12-15 year old girl, this movie is great for you (or if you like teen chick flicks). It covers the crucial topics addressed in the book, but lacks the depth Brashares originally had. I suggest seeing it just to see it, but don't expect too much.

Also, if you're a guy, stay away. There were maximum 10 guys in the theatre when i saw it and each one looked 1/2 dead in the end.

Saw this movie with wife and two grand daughters. I was the only male in the audience--but, hey, there were only four people in the theater. And I think this is too bad. While I suppose this is a teenage chick flick, I thought it transcended most of that genre in that the main characters were intelligent, genuine human beings and not MTV stereotypes. The four actresses were up to the material and were able to convey their characters' strengths and weaknesses effectively. I also appreciated (as a male) that the young men in the film were shown as caring and decent--not just "dreamboats", funny sidekicks, or sex-crazed drunken frat boys--the other male stereotypes in so many films aimed at teens. This is a movie I think most females can relate to and that most mature viewers could enjoy except, maybe, for the guys who are still in arrested development and think that the only good movie is one where people and things get blown up or otherwise destroyed. And, hey, I like those movies too when they have a good script and good direction.

I went to see this movie with my wife and, upon entering the theater, immediately became uncomfortable. There was only one other man at the screening and he was obviously feeling a little out of place as well (although he seemed relieved to see me walk in). I was expecting a teen soap opera, but what the movie delivered was quite different. This movie is more like a modern-times "Little Women" or a teen girl version of "Dead Poets Society". In other words, it's something that I haven't seen any sign of for decades....an intelligent drama aimed at teenage girls. My response to seeing this movie was similar to how i felt after seeing "Babe". I know this is an odd comparison, but both were thoughtful, intelligent movies aimed at a target audience that is usually fed cinematic rubbish. The elements of good film-making are on full display here. Strong acting, sure-handled directing, terrific writing....everything that makes a movie great. If you are a teenage girl or have one in your life, this is an absolutely must-see movie. If you don't, you'll still have a good time.

I want my two hours back! I'm a married man who somewhat prides himself on actually liking what is commonly known as the "chick-flick". i've always been a sucker for the "boy meets girl, girl teases boy, boy goes nuts trying to capture the heart of girl" tales. films recently such as "the notebook" really captured me while watching them. but this film - it's a mess. it's amateur. it's painful to watch. cheesy over dramatization of the leading characters is embarrassing. line's such as "the pant's did perform a miracle... they brought me to you" are waaaaay to cliché for my tastes. even my wife hated it. her exact quote after sitting through the flick was "feel free to destroy that DVD". if my penny pinching wife is willing to toss out a $19.95 DVD, that should tell you something.

This weekend, for my sisters 16th birthday, I ventured out with my father, mother and of course sister to see a movie. When we arrived at the theater I was briefed on which movie we were going to see, without a doubt thinking it would be some new action packed thriller that my dad, always forced my mom and sister to. I had no clue that we were going to see the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.

The worst part of the movie was forcing myself into a theater where I was one of about 6 guys. The rest of the seats were packed with girls of all ages, older women, teens, mothers, college grads, you name it. One would have thought Brad Pitt was making announcement before the show began. In case you didn't know all girls are obsessed with him, especially the ones who deny it.

Anyways the movie began and before I knew it my eyes were glued to the screen. Next thing I knew I was crying, my mom was crying, my sister was crying, and even my dad was crying. I looked around the room and noticed that every girl was sobbing, and of course you know when your watching an amazing movie when it causes such emotion. When it changes the way you feel and enlightens you in unbelievable ways.

So the moral of the story: All the women out there grab your girlfriends, or better yet your husbands, boyfriends, or whomever and drag them to this film, they will say they'll hate it, but they will love it!

Anyone else feel the need for some nachos to go with all that cheese? I felt like this movie was just one giant rip off of now and then... with a few scenes from titanic and any combination of lifetime movies thrown into the mix.

Even though I'm not a fan of 'chick flicks' i felt this movie could have some potential. Apparently i was wrong. The majority of the movie was predictable... plot line to the actual spoken lines.

In the movies defense however, the acting was pretty good, although, i not sure any amount of convincing acting can make up for the gushy-ness of the overall film.

I like folding in narrative.

One of the simplest folds is to have several characters that when added equal a whole one. Garcia does this well in his films on women, having multiple vignettes that set perimeter points. If you want a whole, multidimensional woman, you can fill in from those well chosen markers.

Another device is what we have here. One girl split into four archetypes: the needy athletic striver; the suppressed honest romantic; the one haunted by family and self-image problems and the geekly, lonely one.

Make no mistake, these are meant to be subconsciously perceived as one soul. They all share one pelvis, suggested here by "magical" pants that fit "perfectly." So far, not interesting, even though one of these actresses is very pretty and another talented.

Here's what clever students of scriptwriting need to pay attention to: this is a book that was written to be a movie. So you must have one of these girlparts be a writer. In this case it is the fat one, the female author's comment on herself. And another must be the filmmakerpart. Of course.

And we see the film literally being constructed by our talented miss who has to tolerate the stupidities of the commercial workplace.

So this is doubly folded: four perspectives into one: and another two perspectives into one — the two that have Tibby in the story and the one who is outside the story bringing it to us.

This is clever construction folks. If you are offended by girlygirl cheap sentimentality and ordinary presentation, at least you will find the construction of this intriguing. Scripts are becoming ever more complex and capable in this way.

The DVD has the film Tibby made as an extra. Very nice to see that folded bit there.

Ted's Evaluation -- 2 of 3: Has some interesting elements.

"The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" is, like, way above most teen girl movies in showing four strong-minded, heterosexual young women with divergent interests.

While they are uniformly middle-class suburbanites, they are not in the usual high school bubble and have some life issues to face, like a somewhat more substantive version of the flashbacks in "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood." The magic realism of the used jeans from a thrift shop (see, they aren't mall rats) that fit four girls with three different body types is a sweet way to link their "what I did on my summer vacation" as they are turning 17, since they can't I'm or e-mail or text to Baja California and a Greek isle.

The film is only as strong as each girl's story, so it's almost three-quarters successful.

As she was in "Real Women Have Curves," America Ferrera, as the writer, is the stand out, physically (upfront in her voluptuousness), ethnically and linguistically (wielding her Spanish like a sword), and learning to channel her anger without compromising her spunk in dealing with her divorced dad.

Blake Lively, a new actress closest in actual age to the characters, plays a type of young woman we are only beginning to see in TV and movies, a Title IX baby who is very much not a tomboy as she combines her awesome athletic prowess with her sexuality like a cruise missile, jail bait or not. So I was disappointed that the lesson she learns is that her single-minded competitiveness, in either field of action, is criticized like a boy's would never be in a film and is negatively attributed to her mother's suicide, as both a grief tool and anti-inherited depression insurance, as if endorphins rushes are, like, a bad thing. But isn't her behavior the exact kind that the experts say women need to develop in order to succeed? I wonder if it's screenwriters Delia Ephron and Elizabeth Chandler, regular chick flick writers, or original author Ann Brashares who so meanly would prevent this striking young woman from ever being a CEO? No wonder what she learns doesn't help her depressed dad at all.

The other two are more conventional. Amber Tamblyn, sadly no longer to be "Joan of Arcadia," doesn't quite cut it as a goth but her determination to make a "suck-umentary" video while she works at a Wal-Mart clone (a quirky take on "The Good Girl") at least looks very contemporary.

Not surprisingly the tale that fans say has been changed the most from the book, "Gilmore Girl" Alexis Bleidel's portrait of the young artist is the weakest, the most conventional, the least interesting or even believable. Though it is nice to see on screen another girl who is at least supposed to be a hyphenated ethnic American, the "Big Fat Greek Wedding" clichés about such relatives are not avoided.

The secondary characters are considerably weaker, except that it's nice to see Rachel Ticotin, even briefly as a down to earth mom. Bradley Whitford is just opaquely one-note as the neglectful dad, and poor Nancy Travis's stereotyped chirpy fiancée is just wince-able, even if her Southern accent weren't inconsistent.

Another character has a groan-able case of Movie Star Disease that is eye-rollingly melodramatic, contradicting her character's sprightly storytelling abilities before vanishing like the Cheshire cat.

Evidently it's the magic of the jeans that redeems the characters with Y chromosomes as these guys are extraordinarily gentlemanly, especially the college students, above and beyond their call (and evidently somewhat more so than they are in the book which fans are attributing to the PG rating). Only one gets to be more than a cardboard hunk, an amusing Asian video gamer who is quite charming on his passion.

I did stay through enough of the credits to appreciate that three-quarters of the behind-the-camera workers were female, though Ken Kwapis was a surprising choice as director.

The production design was appropriately suffocatingly pink and red, but that didn't explain why the cinematography had to look quite so sun-bleached to the point of whiting out - to recall distressed jeans perhaps? The song selections on the soundtrack are not particularly illuminating.

I don't see why anyone who wasn't once or will be a 16 year old girl would go to see this movie, even with the usual end-of-date bribe.

It must be really hard to make a chick-flick. Take a couple of young female leads, some strong and some insecure characters, throw in a couple of love stories, preferably one about a forbidden and/or impossible love, some personal problems and death and you have basically all the ingredients you need. But then again, all genres are of course more or less like this. Throw in a couple of scares in a horror movie, some explosions in an action flick, etcetera. You just either dig a genre or you just don't. Chick-flicks are obviously just not my thing.

Of course chick-flicks are more or less all the same, because they feature all of the usual ingredients, which I just mentioned. The movie also knows this, so it tries to throw in an original concept about a pair of pants that travels between 4 different befriended owners, who are spending their summer holiday for the first time away from each other. To me this whole pants thing just felt like an excuse to connect all of the 4 different stories within the movie, which are focusing on the 4 main characters.

Basically when you put 4 episodes of a random similar American TV-series in a row, you'll have a movie just like this. The story features all of the- and as much drama as you could expect.

Still the movie is not an horrible one and yet is also knows to become an original one with its approach and story, which in my opinion is mostly due to the leading actresses of the movie. They give the movie some life and emotion. It's also no coincidence that these actresses are leading ones in some successful TV-series, of which some got launched after this movie, while others already had a successful television career prior to this movie. They are also acting well with each other in this movie, which makes them look convincing as a group who has been friends since childhood. I especially liked Alexis Bledel very natural seeming acting style for this movie, even though normally I'm not a too big fan of her acting skills in many other things. Basically credit needs to go to all of the leading actresses but lets also not forget the young Jenna Boyd, who is a child-star that isn't annoying for a change and can also really act, as she proofs in this movie, with a very difficult and hard to play role at such a young age (She was only around 12 at the time of this movie.).

Thing with chick-flicks or most romantic movies for that matter, is that they pretend to be just like life and realistic with its story and approach but of course life as portrayed in these sort of movies just isn't true. You could say that the movie are 'falsy-realistic'. But apparently this is just a thing to seems to attract (teenage)woman, making these sort of movies and this movie in particular also a perfectly watchable one for them.

6/10

http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/

When I went into Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, I was expecting a decent film. Having read the books, I was ready to see how the film was. Well, Lena's story was screwed up completely. I was highly disappointed in that. Tibby's story remained true for the most part. Amber Tamblyn did a wonderful job and she is a very talented actress. She lightened up this film. America Ferrerra is an awesome actress too, but I don't think she was made to be Carmen. When she played her, She came off as mean and sort of temperamental. Blake Lively is a interesting newcomer. She did a well job of portraying Bridget. I was disappointed to see the portrayal of Carmen though. In the book, She was far more likable. In the movie, She's loud and rash and very annoying. Basically, the book is much better.

Don't get me wrong, this is a good movie. It portraits that period of adolescence towards adulthood that is so intense for all of us, female or not, without clichés like American high schools, evil women adversaries or sex-minded male fiends. This is based upon a book and, as it is norm in Hollywood, it shows by having a reasonable script. However it does show the lives and thoughts of four girls and this is clearly an audience splitter. So you would see it if you either are a woman, preferably with other women around you doing that female bonding thing, or a man that wants to make a nice surprise for his girl.

The four entwined stories are interesting enough, well created characters and the whole movie is pretty well directed. You will not watch this for movie quality, though, so I won't even pretend to analyze that. Now, at my age, I think that if I would have watched this (and understood it) at 16, maybe I would have known what women are about. So if you are a deep 16 year old, you might want to try it. Let me know :)

I had the fortune of watching the movie at home, this movie is embarrassing. The script is simple and predictable. The acting was extremely poor I guess that these actors will have a great future in the TV's soup operas. Apart from that, it is extremely cheap to use the clichés and topics of a romance in Greece, the cancer girl, the dead mother, the divorced parents... and everything for one purpose: tears... I am sorry, the effect in me was the opposite, and I just wanted to sleep... I hope that the books are better because the movie is terribly bad... I am surprised that in some of the reviews they actually tag the movie as "intelligent"... but WHAT? and WHO? the soccer girl?

I saw this film in Indianapolis in early May before the official theatrical release. I am one of the judges for the Heartland Film Festival that screens films for their Truly Moving Picture Award. A Truly Moving Picture "...explores the human journey by artistically expressing hope and respect for the positive values of life." Heartland gave that award to this film.

The sisterhood consists of four teenage girls. And each of the girls are special. They are each intelligent and introspective. And they take the important things in their lives in a mature, serious way. These important things include their personal lives, their personal development, their families, and the history of their families.

And the sisterhood is special too. Not because of the "trick" of the one pair of pants fitting four physically different girls, but because the girls care for each other and supply support for each other in a mature way that takes most of us decades to learn. They are there for each other for no ulterior motive. They help each other because there is a goodness and wisdom and healthiness in helping another human being.

The four girls are equals in this movie. Not only are they equal in terms of their importance to each other, but also in time in front of the camera. This is not a star vehicle for one of these young actresses. Their relationship is the star of this movie.

FYI - There is a Truly Moving Picture web site where there is a listing of past winners going back 70 years.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants I only went to see this to please a female in my life. Guys like me aren't exactly seen in theaters with films like this. In fact, I think I was the only male in the theater at the time. I'm glad I went. I have to admit that I found it very entertaining. The story line was especially refreshing. Not the usual sort of thing at all but very imaginative. Being the father of grown daughters I have to say that one of the best parts of that has been to experience the world anew through their eyes. This movie is an extension of that feeling.

The movie was really 4 vignettes in the lives of four teenage girlfriends during their sixteenth summer. The four stories were different enough to hold interest and each well told and brought together in the end. The sets and costumes were genuine enough not to raise notice, something hard to do in modern times. I especially enjoyed the one shot on Santorini in Greece. The place is charmingly beautiful. The main interest in the other stories was only the girls themselves but their characters were full enough to satisfy.

The real standout here is the ensemble of young actresses cast for this film. I think their choices were outstanding. One real standout among the teenagers was America Ferrera as Carmen. She is an engaging actress with style and real talent, not that the others aren't so endowed. Blake Lively as Bridget was a standout in that she made her character genuine by not over playing her too obvious good looks. She has a different enough face to be memorable and a range of expression to play to the emotions she was called for. Alexis Bledel as Lena is a stunning beauty with incredible eyes that capture your attention when she's on screen. She also had what it took to carry off her part and make it very real and believable. It's hard to believe she's that same girl who's in Sin City. In fact, probably the best known of them is Amber Tamblyn as Tibby (what kind of a name is Tibby anyway). Ms. Tamblyn is known for her TV show, but here she plays a slightly left of center teen looking for some meaning to life. She surprisingly finds it in the person of Bailey, played to a "T" by Jenna Boyd. Ms. Boyd reminds me of a young Jody Foster or Helen Hunt. If she's not careful she will have a long and successful career. For a girl so young she had surprising presence and range.

All in all it past the entertainment test here and was well worth the price of admission.

Bledel did a good job but Tamblyn's acting left much to be desired. Tamblyn's arrogant and conceit detracts from any role she is in. Casting a less arrogant actress in the role of Tobby would have made this movie far better. Thankfully Bledel added some color to the bleakness displayed by Tamblyn.

This movie is based on an excellent and heartwarming book but I found myself extremely disappointed by Tamblyn's performance. She's a young women who has let her fame go to her head.

I certainly hope that if more movies are based on the books. better casting choices will be made.