Steel Magnolias is my all time favorite "girl" movie. I was fourteen years old the first time I watched this movie and I fell in love with it. Each time I have watched it since I have gained more understanding and insight of the plot and the movie takes on even more meaning to me. This is one movie that I never tire of. I could watch it a million times and still enjoy every moment of it.

Steel Magnolias is filled with an excellent cast of actresses doing some of their best work. The cast includes Julia Roberts, Sally Fields, Daryl Hannah, Shirely MacLaine, Dolly Parton, and Olympia Dukakis. The chemistry between this all star cast of women is unmistakable.

Steel Magnolias is a comedic drama from 1989. The movie is set in a small Louisiana town and spans several years in the life of this closely knit group of women. It is a vary touching look at how their relationships and characters grow over time. Some scenes in the movie are very funny, others extremely serious. The blend of comedy and drama add to the realistic feel of the movie.

Julia Roberts puts in one of her best performances ever as a young diabetic with serious health problems who is willing to risk it all for the man she loves and for the chance of having a baby.

Sally Fields also turns in a shining performance as the mother of Julia's character. Sally plays a devoted mother who is concerned for her daughters health.

Dolly Parton plays a beauty shop owner who has a sunny nature. She does a wonderful job of being fun and supportive to her customers. She is a strong character, full of life.

Daryl Hannah is the new girl in town. She is working at the beauty shop. She is an odd, mysterious character who develops a great deal during the movie.

Shirley MacLaine is extremely funny in her role of a rich lady with a chip on her shoulder. She is mean tempered and always has something rude to say, spouting off one liners left and right. But there is a lot of heart behind the character as well.

Olympia Dukakis plays a woman who is newly widowed. She shares her insight with the other women in the film.

The men in the movie are absent more often than not but the female characters carry the plot without much of a male influence. Tom Skerritt puts in an excellent performance as Julia's character's father. He is an excellent match of wit for MacLaine's character. Dylan McDermott plays Julia's husband. Sam Shepard is the husband to Dolly Parton's Character.

The movie begins with preparations for a wedding for Julia's and Dylan's characters and continues to follow the changes in all the characters lives as time passes.

The movie is filled with funny one liners and interesting gossip. We look at these women as if they were fragile flowers, but they are strong as steel when tragedy strikes.



Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Good for Groups
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older