On her daughter's wedding day, a mother (Queen Latifah) expresses concern over her daughter's (Condola Rashad) health. She's a type 1 diabetic and is determined to have a baby even though her doctors have advised her against it. But with the support and love of their woman friends, they will see it through together. This remake with an all black cast is based more on the 1989 film than the original Robert Harling play. Even then, there are some obvious changes from the 1989 film. So how does it measure up? Well, the source material is a perfectly crafted tearjerker with lots of bite and humor so on that level, it's almost impossible to go wrong if it's done halfway decent. Alas, with two exceptions, the actresses just aren't up to the material. It's almost as if they deliberately went out of their way to avoid any comparison with the 1989 film. They say the lines but something's missing. Queen Latifah is adequate as the mother but it's not until the film goes past the halfway mark that she brings her full force to the part. On the other hand, Alfre Woodard as the perennially grouchy Ouiser gets it right from the start. Directed by Kenny Leon. With Phylicia Rashad, Jill Scott and Adepero Oduye.
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