SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELLING PANTS 2: DVD

SYNOPSIS:
The four young childhood friends whose shared pair of jeans has brought them luck are now in college and facing life that pulls them in different directions. Lena (Alexis Bledel) has enrolled in a figure drawing class after the pain of her break up with Kostas (Michael Rady); Bridget (Blake Lively) is on an architectural dig in Turkey; Tibby (Aber Tamblyn) is working in a video store and dating Brian (Leonardo Nam); Carmen (America Ferrera) agrees to accompany her actress friend Julia (Rachel Nichols) to her new stage production. Though they are far away from each other, as the girls learn life's lessons, they realize that their friendship is an important part of their lives.

Review by Louise Keller:
Weaving together issues about friendship, love, sense of worth and belonging, this satisfying sequel involves us in the ups and downs of four young women as they try to find themselves and their places in life. The characters and stories are based on Ann Brashares' novel in which a pair of distinctively embroidered blue jeans (which amazingly happens to fit them all!) is shared between the four girls, acting as a good luck charm for their individual happiness and collective friendships. Elizabeth Chandler's script allows the four girls to become real to us, as we share their experiences and emotional journeys. It's warm and funny, moving and involving as director Sanaa Hamri captures the joys, the pain, the frustrations and the discovery of all the things that life has on offer.

The four friends have long shared all their secrets, so there is an impending sense of isolation as they each scatter in different directions for their summer holidays. Blake Lively's Bridget can't wait to get away from home to head for the architectural dig in Turkey. Since her mother's death, homelife with her father (Ernie Lively) has been uncomfortable; in her travels and experiences as she digs up an ancient skull, she suddenly understands the connection between the past and the present. Hers is perhaps the most moving story as she comes to terms with life with the help of the dig supervisor (Shohreh Aghdashloo) and her estranged grandmother (Blythe Danner).

America Ferrera as Carmen is the most endearing as the insecure friend who discovers hers is a name destined for the spotlight, not backstage. There's also romance in store with supportive English actor (Tom Wisdom). Alexis Bledel's idealistic Lena dreams of falling in love only once, but the handsome male model Leo (Jesse Williams) in her figure drawing class tries to persuade her otherwise. And Amber Tamblyn's Tibby is struggling with the concept of commitment to boyfriend Brian (Leonardo Nam) and the complications of a condom malfunction.

All the performances are excellent and I chuckled at Lena's discomfort in her first day at her art class when faced with Leo's well chiselled naked body. There are romantic moments, awkward pauses, cringe worthy situations and the wonderful coming together in beautiful Santorini, Greece with its donkeys, bougainvilleas and white stone buildings, where the story's finale takes place. Here's a chick flick that can be enjoyed by chicks (and partners) of all ages.

It's a shame it didn't receive a theatrical release - it is certainly as good as the original. DVD special features include a featurette and gag reel.

Published April 2, 2009