Product Details

• Actors: Elizabeth Perkins, Scott Bakula, Alison Pill, Margo Martindale, Tamara Hope
• Directors: Lee Rose
• Writers: Karen Leigh Hopkins, Karin Cook
• Producers: Scott Bakula, Angela Spieles, Laurie McLarty, Tom Spiroff
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Paramount
• DVD Release Date: April 8, 2003
• Run Time: 115 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0000897B6
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #19,762 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #54 in	Movies & TV > Drama > Family Life > Mothers & Daughters
  #93 in	Movies & TV > Drama > Family Life > Brothers & Sisters

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover
Actress Elizabeth Perkins ("About Last Night...," "He said, She said") gives a bravura performance as "Mama," a quirky, eccentric single mother raising two daughters who are entering their awkward, trying teenage years. As their mother, provider, teacher and best friend, Mama shares with them her zest for life, in which the unconventional and unexpected are always just around the corner. "Normal," she claims, "is rather dull." But, true to form, there's one surprise she's neglected to tell her daughters: she has been carrying on a long-distance romance with Nick (Scott Bakula, "American Beauty," TV's "Enterprise") and had decided to uproot the family and move them from rural Georgia to Nick's home in Long Island, New York. And while her daughters struggle with the sudden addition of a new "Father" into their lives, there is yet another abrupt, startling revelation from Mama -- one that forces everyone to confront love, pain, loss and, ultimately, acceptance.

Product Description
For two sisters growing up is a painful lesson. Two teenage girls must come to terms with their stepfather when their mother is struck by illness. Studio: Paramount Home Video Release Date: 03/28/2006 Starring: Elizabeth Perkins Run time: 114 minutes Rating: Pg

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars "What Girls Learn" needed to include a spanking, June 18, 2004

By	mguilfordtx (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This movie is cliche and tedious--with a storyline and dialogue reminiscent or an after-school special. Scott Bakula and Elizabeth Perkins are always good, and their performances salvage a rather unconvincing film.

The major flaw in this movie is the central focus on the daughter, Tilden. I suppose the intention was for us to empathize first with her difficulties getting used to a stepfather--and later--with her mother's breast cancer. But this homely little girl is mean, nasty and hostile from start to finish to almost everyone. There are many "teen angst" movies, but they somehow find a way to make the character likeable--or help the audience identify with her plight. With this film you spend two hours waiting for "what girls learn" to include someone teaching this girl to stop being such a selfish, self-centered brat. I am sure this was not the intent of the director of this film, but this little girl's sour look and bad behavior kept me from buying into this story--or caring about her situation.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful yet tender, November 4, 2003

By	H. Kaplan "hjkapl" (East Coast, United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A seeringly powerful yet tender tale about the turmoil that young women often have to cope with. Wonderful performances by a young cast and even grander performances by the adults. Elizabeth Perkins and Scott Bakula have wonderful on screen chemistry.

Based on a true story, What Girls Learn, is 'almost' a chick flick. A strong and outspoken woman with two daughters falls in love with a man who changes their lives only to meet with tragedy. Yet, despite the 'down' parts, there is great humanity here. Can't imagine a dry eye in the house.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Unconvincing, August 20, 2003

By	Brian Dorton "Nairb" (Lou. KY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: What Girls Learn [VHS] (VHS Tape)

The 3 leading ladies had no chemistry what so ever, even when the 3 dare share a bubble bath. The oldest daughter Tilden was the most hateful and unlikable girl I have ever seen. Not one convincing smile crossed her bland face. The lack of chemisty however had nothing to do with actress Elizabeth Perkins who is always a joy on screen. Also Scott Bakula was good too. It all boils down to heavy handed melodrama at it's dullest.