The story is set in early 19th century Gloucestershire and concerns the friendship of three young women, Cassandra Parbringer, Miss Tobias, and Mrs. Fields.

The voila came in 1992 with the publication of "Waiting to Exhale" (Viking), Terry McMillan's irreverent, rollicking novel about the friendship of four black women in Phoenix.

"The Turning Point" (1977) is a wise, literate, entertaining drama about American ballet dancers - and the thorny friendship of two women over the years.

In her New Zealand exile - helped by the friendship of two redoubtable, remarkably depicted old women - Helen grows from magical sprite into a young adult taking charge of her life.

Based on the 2009 chick lit novel of the same title by Kim Min-seo, the film revolves around the dreams, failures, and friendship of four 24-year-old women still looking for a direction in life.

A wrenching novel that embraces two stories: the 20-year friendship of two women in contemporary New York, and the career of an anarchist agitator of the 1920's, a woman who shows up in old age to make a lot of trouble.

The new comedy is "Girlfriends," which deals with the high-volume friendship of four black women, all single, in their 20's.

She feels like 'Waiting to Exhale' isn't her movie, but an ensemble movie about the friendship of four women.

The friendships and romances of four black women in Phoenix.

As the commercial recounts the lifelong friendship of two women, Ms. Goldberg, who is heard but not seen in a voice-over narration, says: "She's always been there for you.