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.
237 Reviews
True to the Feel of the Book
barbt19569 June 2005
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.
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.
You will care for each girl.
JohnDeSando29 May 2005
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 itthat's Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.
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 itthat's Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.
Why, as a 24 year old girl, I LOVED this film...
leilapostgrad4 June 2005
Warning: Spoilers
Please don't let this horribly cheesy title keep you away from this cinematic treasure! Writing this review two days after see the movie, and I'm still crying. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants is the kind of title that evokes Disney Channel movies staring Mickey Mouse Club members (or worse, Hillary Duff), but I swear to you that this movie is so much more. I was in tears from beginning to end as I saw my own insecurities and fears addressed in each one of these characters.
First, there\'s CARMEN (America Ferrera), the writer, the Puerto Rican, the "curvey" one (I HATE that word), and the one who spends the summer with her father and his new family. Carmen's weight issues and "absentee father" issues hit home to me. In fact, the first tears I shed in this movie came at the moment that Carmen drives up to her father's house and learns that he is getting remarried... to a women he lives with... whom Carmen had never met, nor even heard of before. I learned only a few months ago, over the phone no less, that my father was remarried, and it's still not something he's talked to me about. Carmen uses the magical "traveling pants" to get the courage to finally tell her father how sad she is and how much he's hurt her, and this was the point in the movie that had me BALLING.
Lena (Alexis Bledel) is the soft-spoken and shy beauty who spends the summer with her grandparents in Greece. I definitely relate to Lena in her what's the word modesty. She doesn't wear revealing clothes, she's not open to new love, and she has an overall fear of intimacy. With the help of \"the pants\", she meets a beautiful Greek man named Kostas (Michael Rady) and learns to let love it.
Bridget (Blake Lively) is the tall, blond, and extremely confidant soccer star who spends the summer in Baja California, Mexico, at a soccer camp, where she spends most of her time trying to seduce her soccer coach Eric (Mike Vogel). She's also still grieving the loss of her mother who killed herself. For most of the film, I felt no connection to Bridget at all (tall, blond, and athletic, I am not). But it eventually hit me. Bridget's persistent pursuit of Eric and her determination to excel at soccer are her means of hiding from her pain. Her main motivation in life is to numb the pain of her mother's death. Who can't relate to that? Tibby's (Amber Tamblyn) storyline is the most surprising. I didn't expect to be so moved. Tibby is stuck at home for the summer, working at a Walgreens-like drugstore, filming a documentary (or as she calls it, a "suckumentary"), and generally hating life and humanity while her friends travel around the world. The traveling pants are accidentally sent to the wrong address, and a little girl named Bailey (Jenna Boyd) finds them and returns them to Tibby. Bailey is intrigued by Tibby's "suckumentary" and volunteers to help with the film. Though she annoys Tibby at first, Bailey turns out to be extremely soulful and has a real gift for discovering each person's humanity and connecting to anyone. This little girl single-handedly steals the movie, and Jenna Boyd is gifted beyond her years.
This is NOT a chick flick, this isn't a teeny-pop film, and there's NO Hillary Duff or Lindsay Lohan anywhere in sight. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants is about the fears and insecurities that all young people feel as they enter adulthood, boys and girls. We all have to deal with our bodies, with our parents, with love, and with death, and this film deals with all of these issues with honesty, sensitivity, and maturity. And most importantly, this movie reinstates the fact that none of us has to deal with these issues alone.
First, there\'s CARMEN (America Ferrera), the writer, the Puerto Rican, the "curvey" one (I HATE that word), and the one who spends the summer with her father and his new family. Carmen's weight issues and "absentee father" issues hit home to me. In fact, the first tears I shed in this movie came at the moment that Carmen drives up to her father's house and learns that he is getting remarried... to a women he lives with... whom Carmen had never met, nor even heard of before. I learned only a few months ago, over the phone no less, that my father was remarried, and it's still not something he's talked to me about. Carmen uses the magical "traveling pants" to get the courage to finally tell her father how sad she is and how much he's hurt her, and this was the point in the movie that had me BALLING.
Lena (Alexis Bledel) is the soft-spoken and shy beauty who spends the summer with her grandparents in Greece. I definitely relate to Lena in her what's the word modesty. She doesn't wear revealing clothes, she's not open to new love, and she has an overall fear of intimacy. With the help of \"the pants\", she meets a beautiful Greek man named Kostas (Michael Rady) and learns to let love it.
Bridget (Blake Lively) is the tall, blond, and extremely confidant soccer star who spends the summer in Baja California, Mexico, at a soccer camp, where she spends most of her time trying to seduce her soccer coach Eric (Mike Vogel). She's also still grieving the loss of her mother who killed herself. For most of the film, I felt no connection to Bridget at all (tall, blond, and athletic, I am not). But it eventually hit me. Bridget's persistent pursuit of Eric and her determination to excel at soccer are her means of hiding from her pain. Her main motivation in life is to numb the pain of her mother's death. Who can't relate to that? Tibby's (Amber Tamblyn) storyline is the most surprising. I didn't expect to be so moved. Tibby is stuck at home for the summer, working at a Walgreens-like drugstore, filming a documentary (or as she calls it, a "suckumentary"), and generally hating life and humanity while her friends travel around the world. The traveling pants are accidentally sent to the wrong address, and a little girl named Bailey (Jenna Boyd) finds them and returns them to Tibby. Bailey is intrigued by Tibby's "suckumentary" and volunteers to help with the film. Though she annoys Tibby at first, Bailey turns out to be extremely soulful and has a real gift for discovering each person's humanity and connecting to anyone. This little girl single-handedly steals the movie, and Jenna Boyd is gifted beyond her years.
This is NOT a chick flick, this isn't a teeny-pop film, and there's NO Hillary Duff or Lindsay Lohan anywhere in sight. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants is about the fears and insecurities that all young people feel as they enter adulthood, boys and girls. We all have to deal with our bodies, with our parents, with love, and with death, and this film deals with all of these issues with honesty, sensitivity, and maturity. And most importantly, this movie reinstates the fact that none of us has to deal with these issues alone.
a Truly Moving Picture
tollini31 May 2005
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 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.
Nice actresses in coming of age movie
SnoopyStyle8 June 2014
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.
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.
Movie is good, doesn't follow the book
GOPACKGO4 June 2005
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.
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.
Breaking the trend.
Josh_Molinero21 May 2005
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 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.
Seven in Pants, a Ten in Movies
mrgccc35 June 2005
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!
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!
Endearing accounts of four girl friends - how their friendships endured and enriched one memorable summer by the sharing of a pair of jeans
ruby_fff4 July 2005
Besides the fascinating documentary "Mad Hot Ballroom," another worthy attraction that probably got 'buried' by the Hollywood summer blockbusters is director Ken Kwapis film, "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," based on the novel by Ann Brashares.
It is a cleverly edited, heart-warming travelogue/diary of four good friends during their first summer apart after graduation. America Ferrera (fantastic in "Real Women Have Curves" 2002) as Carmen, Alexis Bledel as Lena, Blake Lively as Bridget, Amber Tamblyn as Tibby, who ran into young Bailey - portrayed by Jenna Boyd (brilliant in director Ron Howard's "The Missing" 2003 opposite Cate Blanchett, Evan Rachel Wood and Tommy Lee Jones). There are life lessons from watching the different experiences each of them goes through - new places, new faces, new emotions that each of them encounters/discovers in their segments. The link between each of their summer adventures/activities is a pair of jeans they 'sworn' to share.
What a novel idea to present the various aspects of growing young women: Lena's Greek adventure spending with distant relatives and meeting Kostos, turned into a mini-version of Romeo and Juliet with family feud (verbal/non-verbal arguments vs. physical conflicts). Blake's energetic sporting camp environment with new companions eventually forces her to break out of her 'façade' of bravado behavior and the truth of parental longing surfaces. Carmen's journey raises emotional havoc as she struggles with the unexpected event of her father re-marrying, having to deal with new family members vs. her wish of spending quality time alone with Dad. Tibby may be doing nothing exotic or literal travels, but staying in hometown, working at the Mart, with the surprised 'intrusion' by Bailey the precocious 12 year old becoming her self-invited video assistant, somehow provided enriched life lessons. Unanticipated, the four friends bonded deeper and helped each other through stumbling hurdles, maturing expansively this one memorable summer.
I enjoyed this film better than the 1995 "Now and Then," a movie also about four girlfriends, with two sets of known actresses: Christina Ricci, Thora Birch, Gaby Hoffmann and Ashleigh Aston Moore as the young Rosie O'Donnell, Melanie Griffith, Demi Moore and Rita Wilson. "Traveling Pants," even though with budding young actresses, provided more in-depth emotional journeys, life wisdom, and picturesque romantic Greece for added value. This may be more of a 'girly' film, but certainly a family entertainment (likened to Disney quality productions like "The Parent Trap").
Also highly recommend a similar theme of five girlfriends (actually three plus a pair of twin sisters) film in Korean, written-directed by Jae-Eun Jeong, "Take Care of My Cat" 2001. It has a more gritty approach, included tough scenarios/facts of life to each girl's family background influences, the trials and tribulations of keeping up friendships fresh out of school. Heart-wrenching at times yet the youthful energy retained, the hopes and dreams, little romances and arguments, along with their (pager/email) cell phones constantly ringing/reaching for 'connections.'
It is a cleverly edited, heart-warming travelogue/diary of four good friends during their first summer apart after graduation. America Ferrera (fantastic in "Real Women Have Curves" 2002) as Carmen, Alexis Bledel as Lena, Blake Lively as Bridget, Amber Tamblyn as Tibby, who ran into young Bailey - portrayed by Jenna Boyd (brilliant in director Ron Howard's "The Missing" 2003 opposite Cate Blanchett, Evan Rachel Wood and Tommy Lee Jones). There are life lessons from watching the different experiences each of them goes through - new places, new faces, new emotions that each of them encounters/discovers in their segments. The link between each of their summer adventures/activities is a pair of jeans they 'sworn' to share.
What a novel idea to present the various aspects of growing young women: Lena's Greek adventure spending with distant relatives and meeting Kostos, turned into a mini-version of Romeo and Juliet with family feud (verbal/non-verbal arguments vs. physical conflicts). Blake's energetic sporting camp environment with new companions eventually forces her to break out of her 'façade' of bravado behavior and the truth of parental longing surfaces. Carmen's journey raises emotional havoc as she struggles with the unexpected event of her father re-marrying, having to deal with new family members vs. her wish of spending quality time alone with Dad. Tibby may be doing nothing exotic or literal travels, but staying in hometown, working at the Mart, with the surprised 'intrusion' by Bailey the precocious 12 year old becoming her self-invited video assistant, somehow provided enriched life lessons. Unanticipated, the four friends bonded deeper and helped each other through stumbling hurdles, maturing expansively this one memorable summer.
I enjoyed this film better than the 1995 "Now and Then," a movie also about four girlfriends, with two sets of known actresses: Christina Ricci, Thora Birch, Gaby Hoffmann and Ashleigh Aston Moore as the young Rosie O'Donnell, Melanie Griffith, Demi Moore and Rita Wilson. "Traveling Pants," even though with budding young actresses, provided more in-depth emotional journeys, life wisdom, and picturesque romantic Greece for added value. This may be more of a 'girly' film, but certainly a family entertainment (likened to Disney quality productions like "The Parent Trap").
Also highly recommend a similar theme of five girlfriends (actually three plus a pair of twin sisters) film in Korean, written-directed by Jae-Eun Jeong, "Take Care of My Cat" 2001. It has a more gritty approach, included tough scenarios/facts of life to each girl's family background influences, the trials and tribulations of keeping up friendships fresh out of school. Heart-wrenching at times yet the youthful energy retained, the hopes and dreams, little romances and arguments, along with their (pager/email) cell phones constantly ringing/reaching for 'connections.'
A Sweet Tale of Friendship, Love and Loss
claudio_carvalho21 December 2008
Tibby Tomko-Rollins (Amber Tamblyn), Lena Kaligaris (Alexis Bledel), Carmen Lowell (America Ferrera) and Bridget Vreeland (Blake Lively) are best friends since they were children. In the beginning of their summer vacations, they find a pair of jeans that fits each one of them perfectly; they decide to share the pants as a magic symbol of their friendship and form a sisterhood with a manifesto of ten rules. Bridget travels to a soccer camp in Mexico and she has a crush on the coach Eric (Mike Vogel), who is older than she. Lena visits her family in Greece and has a crush on the local fisherman Kostas (Michael Rady) and finds that there is a feud between their families. Carmen travels to South Caroline to spend the vacation with her father and she finds that he will marry the divorced Lydia Rodman (Nancy Travis). Tibby stays in town working in a department store to raise money to buy new equipment for her documentary and is befriended by the twelve year old Bailey (Jenna Boyd) that is very ill. After their vacations, they grow-up and their friendship remains solid as never.
"The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" is a sweet tale of friendship, love and loss of four girlfriends. I saw the good sequel in a flight two days ago, and both movies are great. The chemistry among Amber Tamblyn, Alexis Bledel, America Ferrera and Blake Lively is amazing and they really seem to be close friends. The movie is delightful, the performances of the actresses are fantastic, but I particularly liked the dramatic and never corny relationship between Tibby and Bailey. My vote is eight.
Title (Brazil): "Quatro Amigas e um Jeans Viajante" ("Four Friends and a Traveling Jeans")
"The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" is a sweet tale of friendship, love and loss of four girlfriends. I saw the good sequel in a flight two days ago, and both movies are great. The chemistry among Amber Tamblyn, Alexis Bledel, America Ferrera and Blake Lively is amazing and they really seem to be close friends. The movie is delightful, the performances of the actresses are fantastic, but I particularly liked the dramatic and never corny relationship between Tibby and Bailey. My vote is eight.
Title (Brazil): "Quatro Amigas e um Jeans Viajante" ("Four Friends and a Traveling Jeans")
A beautiful movie
Ginger8712 June 2005
Warning: Spoilers
"The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" was a truly enlightening movie. I saw it in theaters last weekend with my mom and my sister. It was a beautiful movie that I immediately fell in love with.
"The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" told the story of four friends: Lena, Bridget, Tibby, and Carmen. They have been friends for their entire lives and never been separated. Now when they are teenagers for the first time in their lives, they are going there separate ways. Before they separated they discovered a pair of pants that fit them all. They decided to share the pair of pants during the summer and each experience the 'magic' of the pants.
Overall this was a really good movie and everyone should see it. I give this movie 10/10 stars.
"The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" told the story of four friends: Lena, Bridget, Tibby, and Carmen. They have been friends for their entire lives and never been separated. Now when they are teenagers for the first time in their lives, they are going there separate ways. Before they separated they discovered a pair of pants that fit them all. They decided to share the pair of pants during the summer and each experience the 'magic' of the pants.
Overall this was a really good movie and everyone should see it. I give this movie 10/10 stars.
Brilliant - Perfect - Funny - Touching - Emotional
PBXBear4 July 2005
Surprisingly, I throughly loved this movie. It was not at all what I expected. Not your typical teen movie. There is something for everyone in this film. The acting of the young ladies is beyond brilliant. The film writing was fantastic. It was funny, touching, emotional and a well rounded film. I can only imagine how great the book is.
What I loved most about the film was the different direction it takes with each of girls. The joys, the pains, the struggles, the strength. Lessons for each of us to learn.
10 stars out of 10 - it's beyond perfect. I highly recommend this movie to everyone. It is sure to delight everyone in the family.
What I loved most about the film was the different direction it takes with each of girls. The joys, the pains, the struggles, the strength. Lessons for each of us to learn.
10 stars out of 10 - it's beyond perfect. I highly recommend this movie to everyone. It is sure to delight everyone in the family.
A Must-See for Girls
honey511273 June 2005
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants is one of the best movies I've seen this year. I've read all the books and was looking forward to the movie. The movie was slightly different from the books but so are all movies.
This movie was about friendships, love, and family. What's great about this movie is that there are four totally different girls who have totally different lives. You can relate to at least one of them.
If you're gonna be a jerk who sits in the front row and laughs at all the sad parts, don't go. Every bit of this movie is worth it, from the laughs to the tears. It's a movie all girls should see and enjoy with their three best friends. :)
This movie was about friendships, love, and family. What's great about this movie is that there are four totally different girls who have totally different lives. You can relate to at least one of them.
If you're gonna be a jerk who sits in the front row and laughs at all the sad parts, don't go. Every bit of this movie is worth it, from the laughs to the tears. It's a movie all girls should see and enjoy with their three best friends. :)
Great Movie...
StarWarsRcksMyWrld3 June 2005
You know how sometimes when you go to the movies and you wonder if the movie you are seeing will be worth your money? Well, this movie was definitely worth my money and maybe even more so. "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" was a great movie, quite possibly one of the best that will come out this year because of--among other things--the friendship it upholds, and I highly recommend it. There should be more movies out there like this, that show that no matter what, your friends truly matter. This movie teaches us that we should make sure that we have friendships like the sisterhood, and if we don't, we should do everything in our power to make all of our relationships with others stronger to last through anything that could happen.
Interesting adaptation
bluemidnight13 May 2005
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.
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.
A truly remarkable chick flick
SajeevaS28 June 2005
This feel good effect of a chick flick, is barely brought on screen in a sensible way. Sisterhood manages to achieve and capture both the fun side and the bitter moments with such reality, that you would feel for each character. With too much of movies circling around sci-fi, animation, comic book characters and thrillers this year, Sisterhood is undoubtedly the chick flick of 2005.Though been mildly blessed with the fairy tale charm,the sisterhood never steps out of reality.
Though the cast is relatively unknown it does not cause a lesser liking to the movie cause each the actresses sink into each of their respective characters so well, you'll forget who plays them, and think of who they are playing instead. Amber Tamblyn impressed me the most, her character had the most amount of changes, and each of her emotions from the sarcasm to the sadness was portrayed to perfection. America Ferrera, gave the most emotional performance out of all, and it is this character of Carmen that you would really feel for the most. Alexis Bledel who plays Lena is always welcomed on the big screen, eversince "Gilmore Girls" became a hit.
In conclusion - I'd have to make a confession - I am a 19 goingon 20 year old guy-young adult, and this was the first movie which made me tear. So as the tag line says "Laugh, Cry, Share the pants" - you'll find yourself doing just that....!
Though the cast is relatively unknown it does not cause a lesser liking to the movie cause each the actresses sink into each of their respective characters so well, you'll forget who plays them, and think of who they are playing instead. Amber Tamblyn impressed me the most, her character had the most amount of changes, and each of her emotions from the sarcasm to the sadness was portrayed to perfection. America Ferrera, gave the most emotional performance out of all, and it is this character of Carmen that you would really feel for the most. Alexis Bledel who plays Lena is always welcomed on the big screen, eversince "Gilmore Girls" became a hit.
In conclusion - I'd have to make a confession - I am a 19 goingon 20 year old guy-young adult, and this was the first movie which made me tear. So as the tag line says "Laugh, Cry, Share the pants" - you'll find yourself doing just that....!
Siamese Quadruplets
tedg22 November 2005
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.
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.
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
Gionnij6 May 2005
This movie seems to have spunk, mixed in with drama and comedy. For anyone who reads the books, this movie will probably not disappoint you. With a great cast, this is the perfect chick flick for anyone who feels like laughing, crying, or to just have a good movie experience. It is also the perfect date movie. For any couple who just feels like seeing a great movie to sit back and to great ready to laugh and cry. This movie is also a perfect combination of comedy and drama as well as a perfect movie to see with a bunch of friends. See this movie on a free Saturday. Grab the popcorn, the soda, and the candy. Get ready for a fun movie experience that will surely not disappoint, only enlighten. So everyone, if there is one movie you must see, make sure this movie is at the top of your list.
a good little movie
lannychuck9 June 2005
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.
Good movie, didn't stray far from book.
Livana9 May 2005
Warning: Spoilers
I saw this movie at a screening way back in November, in Phoenix, with my mother. I had gotten her to read the book before we saw it, and we both enjoyed it, so when we heard about the screening, we jumped at the chance to go.
The movie is about four friends: Carmen, Tibby, Lena, and Bridget. They've been friends since even before birth, as their mothers took Lamaze classes or something like that together. Throughout the movie, there are flashbacks to when they were little kids. The movie takes place in the summer, the first one they've really spent apart. Before they take off in different directions, they discover a pair of jeans that magically fit each of them perfectly. They decide to send the pants to each other on and off throughout the summer. Carmen goes to visit her divorced (or so she thinks) father, Tibby makes a documentary, Lena visits her family in Greece, and Bridget goes to a soccer camp in Mexico.
Big things happen to each of them over the summer. Carmen finds out that her dad is engaged a woman with two kids who's opposite to her mom: white, southern, and kinda bland. After spending some time with them, she freaks out and leaves. Tibby thinks she's going to be bored to death working at Walmans, even if she does film everything, but when she meets a dying girl, her summer isn't so boring after all. Lena almost drowns while sketching on the docks in Greece, but then she falls in love with her savior, who unfortunately her family hates. Bridget makes a big mistake at her soccer camp when she goes after a coach too strongly, and he responds, leaving her to regret her decision. But by the end of the movie, everything is all right, and the girls have come together again at Carmen's father's wedding.
All of the acting in this movie was great. Some of the story lines and characters in the book were changed, sometimes actually making the movie better. I would recommend this to a friend.
8 out of 10 stars.
The movie is about four friends: Carmen, Tibby, Lena, and Bridget. They've been friends since even before birth, as their mothers took Lamaze classes or something like that together. Throughout the movie, there are flashbacks to when they were little kids. The movie takes place in the summer, the first one they've really spent apart. Before they take off in different directions, they discover a pair of jeans that magically fit each of them perfectly. They decide to send the pants to each other on and off throughout the summer. Carmen goes to visit her divorced (or so she thinks) father, Tibby makes a documentary, Lena visits her family in Greece, and Bridget goes to a soccer camp in Mexico.
Big things happen to each of them over the summer. Carmen finds out that her dad is engaged a woman with two kids who's opposite to her mom: white, southern, and kinda bland. After spending some time with them, she freaks out and leaves. Tibby thinks she's going to be bored to death working at Walmans, even if she does film everything, but when she meets a dying girl, her summer isn't so boring after all. Lena almost drowns while sketching on the docks in Greece, but then she falls in love with her savior, who unfortunately her family hates. Bridget makes a big mistake at her soccer camp when she goes after a coach too strongly, and he responds, leaving her to regret her decision. But by the end of the movie, everything is all right, and the girls have come together again at Carmen's father's wedding.
All of the acting in this movie was great. Some of the story lines and characters in the book were changed, sometimes actually making the movie better. I would recommend this to a friend.
8 out of 10 stars.
4 stories--1 good, 1 OK, 2 pretty bad
sjmcollins-121 June 2005
Warning: Spoilers
Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants was made for young girls, and admittedly , I don't fall into that category, but I found myself in the theater nonetheless. This film is basically broken into 4 stories, and I enjoyed America Ferrera's performance as Carmen, the looked-over daughter of a guy starting over with a trophy family. Ferrera has a great emotional scene where she calls her father out for his neglect, and it showcases her as the most talented of the lot, and definitely one of the most talented young actresses today. Amber Tamblyn has her part taken out from under her by the charming Jenna Boyd, who becomes the focus of the documentary Tamblyn's Tibby is shooting while being the only one of the girls actually having to work for the summer. This part is OK due to Boyd, who wins you over with her inquisitive nature. The other two stories are mindless teen-girl fantasy stuff, especially the Greece story with Alexis Bledel, which encompasses so many clichés I lost count. Almost as bad is the story involving Blake Lively as soccer star Bridget. Lively seems to be a little better than the material here (shows a lot of life), but doesn't really convince me as an athlete, and the story doesn't allow her to solve her real problem--her distance from her father. The teen girl set will probably eat this up, but one quarter of a good movie isn't enough for me.
This movie is Fabulous
TaUrUsAnGeL913 June 2005
Warning: Spoilers
The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants books are a best selling series but now the movie will be to this movie is really great. It is exactly like the book except really for Lena's story line and for a few exceptions but it was still very very good I swear that in the book where Bailey dies I got a little teary eyed but in the movie I mean actually seeing it happen really made me so sad I swear I was weeping actually crying my eyes out and in some other parts I laughed so hard I loved this book and the movie. It was really great. I highly recommend this book to viewers of all ages because it is really a fabulous film and as soon as the movie comes out on DVD I will be one of the first ones to get it. This movie is really wonderful and a great film for the whole family. You should really go to the movies and check it out for yourself. <333
Good Friendship Movie
bob-rutzel27 October 2005
Four teenage girls with different body shapes and sizes discover that a certain pair of jeans fits them all perfectly. A sisterhood develops around these jeans as the jeans are mailed to each other after a period of time in the hope that the jeans will bring the wearer luck.
We watch as the girls go their separate ways and get involved in life happenings never experienced before in their young lives and cling to the idea that the pants, when worn, will make things right.
This is a good, sometimes very touching, movie. Amber Tamblyn stands out as some kind of actress. She is always in the moment. The other actors are good, but Tamblyn catches you like no other. Well, keep an eye on Jenna Boyd (Bailey in the movie) too. She is really good as well.
The dialogue is down to earth without being off color or risqué. I thought it was almost perfect. There is one implication of a sex scene, but nothing is shown. Bridget (Lively) and Eric (Vogel) kiss, then the screen fades to black, get it? And, there is no language here either.
You could say it's a movie for all ages because friendships exist at all ages.
We watch as the girls go their separate ways and get involved in life happenings never experienced before in their young lives and cling to the idea that the pants, when worn, will make things right.
This is a good, sometimes very touching, movie. Amber Tamblyn stands out as some kind of actress. She is always in the moment. The other actors are good, but Tamblyn catches you like no other. Well, keep an eye on Jenna Boyd (Bailey in the movie) too. She is really good as well.
The dialogue is down to earth without being off color or risqué. I thought it was almost perfect. There is one implication of a sex scene, but nothing is shown. Bridget (Lively) and Eric (Vogel) kiss, then the screen fades to black, get it? And, there is no language here either.
You could say it's a movie for all ages because friendships exist at all ages.
slow, trite, stretched
jreed443228 June 2005
This is a movie everyone has seen before, young group of people do something with something and it teaches them about life, big deal. To make things even better, this is one of the slowest movies in the history of projection. It's not horribly long but you can tell scenes are being stretched and even out of the gate this movie stumbles all the way to the finish. It may not be the worst movie ever made, but it is definitely a wait till it comes to DVD rental, but of course every woman in the world will see this movie, so the played out genre will continue. That is all I have to say but since I need ten lines I must write this sentence
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