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Judy Thorburn

Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants

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Flick Chicks Chick-O-Meter The Flick Chicks, film, video, movie reviews, critics, Judy Thorburn, Victoria Alexander, Polly Peluso, Shannon Onstot, Jacqueline Monahan, Tasha ChemplavilFlick Chicks Chick-O-Meter The Flick Chicks, film, video, movie reviews, critics, Judy Thorburn, Victoria Alexander, Polly Peluso, Shannon Onstot, Jacqueline Monahan, Tasha ChemplavilFlick Chicks Chick-O-Meter The Flick Chicks, film, video, movie reviews, critics, Judy Thorburn, Victoria Alexander, Polly Peluso, Shannon Onstot, Jacqueline Monahan, Tasha ChemplavilFlick Chicks Chick-O-Meter The Flick Chicks, film, video, movie reviews, critics, Judy Thorburn, Victoria Alexander, Polly Peluso, Shannon Onstot, Jacqueline Monahan, Tasha ChemplavilFlick Chicks Chick-O-Meter The Flick Chicks, film, video, movie reviews, critics, Judy Thorburn, Victoria Alexander, Polly Peluso, Shannon Onstot, Jacqueline Monahan, Tasha Chemplavil

SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS" A FITTING SUMMER CHARMER

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants is based on the best selling novel by Ann Brashares who has adapted it to screen along with co-writer Delia Ephron (Nora’s sister). Since I haven’t read the book there is no way I can compare the two. However, after seeing the film version I could understand why the popular book, which has spawned two sequels, has generated a multitude of female teen fans, its target audience. I would expect this movie to do the same once word of mouth gets out.

The Flick Chicks, film, video, movie reviews, critics, Judy Thorburn, Victoria Alexander, Polly Peluso, Shannon Onstot, Jacqueline Monahan, Tasha Chemplavil, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Amber Tamblyn, America Ferrera, Alexis Bledel, Bradley Whitford, Nancy Travis, Rachel Ticotin, Jenna Boyd, Blake Lively, Ken Kwapis, Delia Ephron, Elizabeth Chandler, Ann Brashares

SOTTP revolves around the lives of four best friends, young women whose history goes back to before they were born when their mothers met at prenatal exercise class.  Lena (Alexis Bledel) is the beautiful and shy artist. Tibby (Amber Tamblyn), with blue streaks in her long dark hair, marches to her own drum and wants to be a documentary filmmaker. Blonde Bridget (newcomer Blake Lively), whose mother committed suicide, is the strong willed type who goes after anything she wants. And last but not least is chubby, but shapely Carmen (America Ferrara) who lives with her divorced Puerto Rican mother (Rachel Ticotin in too small a role).

The Flick Chicks, film, video, movie reviews, critics, Judy Thorburn, Victoria Alexander, Polly Peluso, Shannon Onstot, Jacqueline Monahan, Tasha Chemplavil, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Amber Tamblyn, America Ferrera, Alexis Bledel, Bradley Whitford, Nancy Travis, Rachel Ticotin, Jenna Boyd, Blake Lively, Ken Kwapis, Delia Ephron, Elizabeth Chandler, Ann Brashares

For the four best friends their sixteenth year and summer school break brings the first time they will be separated for any long period since three will be leaving for vacation getaways.  Lena is heading for Greece to visit her grandparents.  Bridget is going to soccer camp in Mexico and Carmen is anxious to visit her rarely seen father in North Carolina. This leaves cynical Tibby without her buddies back home in Maryland, working at the local Walman’s Dept. store (like we don’t know it is supposed to be WalMart) when she isn’t filming employees for her so-called “suckumentary”.

The Flick Chicks, film, video, movie reviews, critics, Judy Thorburn, Victoria Alexander, Polly Peluso, Shannon Onstot, Jacqueline Monahan, Tasha Chemplavil, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Amber Tamblyn, America Ferrera, Alexis Bledel, Bradley Whitford, Nancy Travis, Rachel Ticotin, Jenna Boyd, Blake Lively, Ken Kwapis, Delia Ephron, Elizabeth Chandler, Ann Brashares

How do the pants fit in (pun intended)?  One day during a visit to a thrift store the girls try on a pair of gently used jeans that miraculously fits each of them perfectly, no matter how different their shape and size. Thinking it must be magical, they buy the pants and decide to use it as a link to their sisterhood while they are apart, and proceed to set up a series of rules that they must abide by before passing it on. This consists of such comical specifications as l) never pick your nose while wearing the pants, 2) cannot wash pants, 3) removal of pants must be by wearer “only” 4) no cuffing or tucking and 5) cannot say they look fat while wearing. Each girl gets to keep the pants for one week and must write a letter about the most exciting thing that happens during its wear before mailing it on to her next bud.

The Flick Chicks, film, video, movie reviews, critics, Judy Thorburn, Victoria Alexander, Polly Peluso, Shannon Onstot, Jacqueline Monahan, Tasha Chemplavil, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Amber Tamblyn, America Ferrera, Alexis Bledel, Bradley Whitford, Nancy Travis, Rachel Ticotin, Jenna Boyd, Blake Lively, Ken Kwapis, Delia Ephron, Elizabeth Chandler, Ann Brashares

As expected, each embarks on a journey, never figuring the life altering affect it will have on them.   Lena’s trip is the most visually appealing, capturing the beautiful picture postcard scenery of Greek locations where she falls in love with the obligatory local hunk. Bridget’s story revolves around the athletic beauty’s obsession with grabbing the attention of a handsome young male soccer coach, at whatever cost. But, it is Tibby’s and Carmen’s experiences that tug at your heart the most and make the biggest impact. Tibby becomes acquainted with a twelve-year-old precocious girl named Bailey with a tragic secret, who convinces Tibby to allow her to be her filmmaking apprentice. But, as the result of their relationship it becomes clear whom is really the true teacher sending an important lesson about life which breaks down Tibby’s cold façade.

The Flick Chicks, film, video, movie reviews, critics, Judy Thorburn, Victoria Alexander, Polly Peluso, Shannon Onstot, Jacqueline Monahan, Tasha Chemplavil, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Amber Tamblyn, America Ferrera, Alexis Bledel, Bradley Whitford, Nancy Travis, Rachel Ticotin, Jenna Boyd, Blake Lively, Ken Kwapis, Delia Ephron, Elizabeth Chandler, Ann Brashares

As for Carmen, a visit to her Caucasian father brings unexpected surprises when introduced to his new “family”.   Dads live in fiancé and her two teenage kids leave her feeling left out and misplaced in the “land of the blondes”. She arrives at a time when her Dad is more interested in planning a wedding then spending time getting to know his daughter. No doubt, this causes a lot of emotional outbursts, fights, and inner turmoil before, yes, there is a happy conclusion.

The Flick Chicks, film, video, movie reviews, critics, Judy Thorburn, Victoria Alexander, Polly Peluso, Shannon Onstot, Jacqueline Monahan, Tasha Chemplavil, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Amber Tamblyn, America Ferrera, Alexis Bledel, Bradley Whitford, Nancy Travis, Rachel Ticotin, Jenna Boyd, Blake Lively, Ken Kwapis, Delia Ephron, Elizabeth Chandler, Ann Brashares

All the young actresses do a splendid job. Bledel already with a few movies on her resume (the most recent being Sin City), and fellow TV star Tamblyn have gained quite a bit of worthy attention for their reputable work on the small screen, the former as one of the two “Gilmore Girls”, and the latter as star of “Joan of Arcadia”. America Ferrra impressed movie audiences with a strong performance in the Independent film “Real Women Have Curves” and does the same here, and Lively, in her movie debut, shows a nice range from brassy to vulnerable. As best friends these actors exhibit an honest and warm chemistry that makes their close knit binding relationships truly believable.

The Flick Chicks, film, video, movie reviews, critics, Judy Thorburn, Victoria Alexander, Polly Peluso, Shannon Onstot, Jacqueline Monahan, Tasha Chemplavil, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Amber Tamblyn, America Ferrera, Alexis Bledel, Bradley Whitford, Nancy Travis, Rachel Ticotin, Jenna Boyd, Blake Lively, Ken Kwapis, Delia Ephron, Elizabeth Chandler, Ann Brashares

The supporting cast which includes Bradley Whitford (TV’s West Wing) as Carmen’s Dad and Nancy Travis as his fiancé Lydia are also fine. Especially memorable is Jenna Boyd as Tibby’s wise beyond her years, young assistant, who plays an integral role in Tibby’s life changing experience.

SOTTP is definitely a chick flick, but it transcends that demographic by delivering a worthy coming of age story (times four) for everyone young and old, female or male. The four stories that enfold blend humor with drama and even bring you to tears by emotionally riveting moments in both Carmen and Tibby’s stories.

The Flick Chicks, film, video, movie reviews, critics, Judy Thorburn, Victoria Alexander, Polly Peluso, Shannon Onstot, Jacqueline Monahan, Tasha Chemplavil, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Amber Tamblyn, America Ferrera, Alexis Bledel, Bradley Whitford, Nancy Travis, Rachel Ticotin, Jenna Boyd, Blake Lively, Ken Kwapis, Delia Ephron, Elizabeth Chandler, Ann Brashares

As for the traveling pants, it acts as a catalyst that link all the girls – just as they planned.  Were the pants special? Only in that it bore witness to all the events that would change their lives. They would never forget the summer they formed the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.  It is “fitting” to say once you share their experiences, neither will you.

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