Recently I hosted a party at my home and one of my friends asked me 'What is your favourite movie?' I began spouting off criminal/mob movies like Goodfellas, Godfather, and Casino. She looked at me and said 'I want to know your favourite movie that deals with women who are strong and make a difference.' Having drank about 6 crown and diet cokes previous to the question, I pondered an answer but could not come up with one specific film. Today, in between writing a most interesting paper (not) on the current major economic indicators and other relevant economic policy issues in the U.S., it dawned on me! Steel Magnolias is a film I've seen at least 20 times. This film depicts the bonds of female friendship and the strength of a group of southern women to be more powerful than anything else in life. I wondered why I hadn't thought of Steel Magnolias as an answer to my friend's question, and then I realized that on the surface, the movie is somewhat funny. The one line zingers and the crisp sarcasm definitely makes the movie a success when it comes to comedic dialogue. We are almost not expecting a tragedy, which is overcome by the love and synergy of the wonderful, strong women friends. This is a movie which everyone should see, and which all women should keep dear to their hearts.

The Story

On a beautiful, mid 1980's spring day in Louisiana, we are welcomed into the hectic home of M'Lynn and and Drum Eatonton. (Sally Field and Tom Skerritt). Their daughter Shelby (Julia Roberts) is getting married that afternoon to Jackson Latcherie (Dylan McDermott), and she and her mother must hurry to the beauty parlor to get their hair done.

The beauty parlor is run by Truvy Jones (Dolly Parton), and her newly acquired and somewhat mysterious assistant, Annelle Dupuy (Daryl Hannah). We are introduced to other clients and good friends of Truvy's before the afternoon's event as well. Clairee Belcher (Olympia Dukakis) is a recently widowed, wealthy Louisiana socialite and Ouiser Boudreaux (Shirley MacLaine) is a grumpy, very wealthy older southern lady with a hate for men in general and a very ugly, big dog. Truvy's beauty parlor is a meeting place for some serious gossip and bonding between the women.

Before the wedding takes place, we find out that Shelby is a serious diabetic and her doctor has told her that she should not have children. All of the happy chatter is disrupted by Shelby's diabetic attack, but things go back to normal and sassy right away.

The wedding is over and we cut to Christmas time in Louisiana. The women have found out Annelle's secret and they've done their best to influence her. The once shy and oppressed Annelle has opened up after telling everyone about her lying, thieving ex-husband and has become a beautiful 'jezebel.' The entire gang, including Annelle and her new boyfriend, have Christmas plans. M'Lynn and Drum have a Christmas party at their home with all the girls present. Drum makes an announcement that his baby girl is going to have a baby, which leaves M'Lynn and friends anxious because the doctor has said that this is definitely not conducive to Shelby's health.

We then cut to the beauty parlor again where we hear the latest gossip. For example, Clairee's nephew is gay and the former Ms. Merry Christmas has been caught with her 'tinsel around her ankles.' Shelby has had her baby and he has turned one year old. The light mood at Truvy's disappears when we find out that Shelby must have an operation to get a new kidney, as her kidneys have been strained by having her baby. We discover that her mother is going to give her a kidney, and the women are again, very concerned.

We are told that the operation went fine, and once again, we cut to the future when Shelby collapses at home. She is left in a coma, and the one-liners and humour in the story stops. Shelby is eventually taken off life support, although M'Lynn is with her every second of every day praying, hoping, dreaming for a miracle.

Despite the horrible tragedy of a young woman dying, the friends survive and carry on. After the funeral we cut to the pregnant Annelle who has since been married, going into labour. The funny, light-hearted feeling of the movie is back as the friends scramble to get Annelle to the hospital. Yet, we are left with the feeling of pride. These women will survive, regardless of what is thrown at them. Survival and pride is the theme behind the happiness and humour of this film. To quote Julia Roberts in the movie, as Shelby she says, "I'd rather have 5 minutes of wonderful, than a lifetime of nothing special.' These women made their lives extraordinary.

My Thoughts

Pondering my friend's question again of what movie about women is my favourite, I can't help but think of all of the women in Steel Magnolias. Every single one of the women depicted in the movie had survived a curve ball that life so often throws. Annelle survived a horrible ex husband who left her alone in a small southern town to rebuild a life of her own. Ouiser had survived two marriages to horrible husbands and three 'ungrateful children' and still had a wonderful home and plenty of money to support herself. Truvy had a troublesome son and a husband who laid around in bed all the time, miserable and unlovable. He would be out of work for long periods of time or be gone for work for equally long. She opened her own business and made money to support her family. Shelby went against doctor's wishes and had her moment of happiness. She wanted a baby more than she wanted to live a 'lifetime of nothing.' M'Lynn worked at a society help center and she survived the birth, life and death of a precious daughter.

The bonds of womanhood run deep in Steel Magnolias. We meet briefly the men in the film but there is really no depth in their character. Gossip, sarcasm, some great one-liners aside, this movie is about the importance of friendship and the love of family.

The cast of characters in Steel Magnolias is like no other cast. The pairing of Olympia Dukakis and Shirley MacLaine as best of friends is hilarious and priceless. Julia Roberts and Sally Field have a breath-taking connection on screen as mother and daughter. Sunny and happy Dolly Parton is as always, the best of actresses in her role as Truvy. The women in this movie let the jokes and sarcasm role off their tongues yet easily wear their loving southern hearts on their sleeves. Directed by Herbert Ross, produced by Ray Stark, written by Robert Harling and based on his play "Steel Magnolias, the 118 minutes of Steel Magnolias will steal a small part of the viewer's heart and remain inside it forever.

I am going to send this review to my friend who asked me what movie about strong, enduring women I liked best. Then, I am going to thank her for her wonderful friendship and tell her that I love her very much.

Thanks for reading,

Summer

Recommended:
Yes

Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older