Who does not love a great movie? These days movies are probably more popular as a form of entertainment than reading (I say probably because I still want to believe that the world chooses reading first!). At least us book lovers out there can rest assured that the stories, the really good ones that we could not put down, are often being turned into equally great movies! For example, The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood written by Rebecca Wells is charming, funny, and devastatingly honest about alcoholism and how it affects a childs life all the way into adulthood. Sidda and Vivis tumultuous relationship is easy to imagine and easier to root for a happy ending. This is a book worth reading as well as continuing on to read the titles spun off of it (Little Altars Everywhere and Ya-Yas in Bloom).
The movie is just as good. Of course, as any true Harry Potter fan will tell you, it is IMPOSSIBLE to include all the good parts of book in the movie version. The best we can hope for is a good rendition of our beloved story. Well, the Ya-Ya movie does its mother creation justice! Sandra Bullock is perfectly cast as Sidda, the jaded but good natured daughter. And never was there a better Vivi than Ashley Judd (young woman) and Ellen Burstyn. These two actresses flawlessly turn Vivi into a loveable, horrible mother whom we cheer on till the very end. Finally the movie would not be complete without James Garners sweet portrayal of Shep Walker.
So you see, it is possible. Great books CAN turn into great movies! Of course, there are the times where a great book is totally butchered (A Series of Unfortunate Events anyone?) but that is a conversation for another time.
