Ok so I am a complete sucker for heart breaking chick flicks. I have seen them all from An Affair to Remember to Return to me... You name it, I have more than likely seen it. Still after all these years and the movies I’ve consumed, feeding into my addiction, Steel Magnolias above all is my absolute favorite.. If you read any of my other movie reviews I mention that if I cry in a movie I know It’s a good one.. I SOB LIKE A BABY in this movie. Every time its getting to Shelby's funeral I think that I will make it without tearing up but sure enough every time M'Lynn freaks out and walks off, salty tears poor down my face. This is defiantly one of those movies I prefer to watch alone. Steel Magnolia's was released 15 November 1989. The cast is amazing in this movie. The story is full of intrigue, and the fact that this is based on a true story makes it even more amazing and heartfelt.

THE CAST
It amazes me that this movie isn't considered a classic by most. I am always in complete shock when I come across a unaware person who has yet to watch this masterpiece. In this movie there is one of the greatest cast that I feel has ever been grouped together in one movie. Sally Field as M'Lynn Eatenton Dolly Parton is Truvy Jones Shirley MacLaine plays Ouiser (pronounced weezer) Boudreaux Daryl Hannah is the shy Annelle Dupuy Desoto Olympia Dukakis plays the ex mayors wife Clairee Belcher Julia Roberts (who seems to be the star of the movie) is Shelby Eatenton Latcherie Tom Skerritt is Shelbys dad Drum Eatenton Sam Shepard is Truvy’s husband Spud Jones
Dylan McDermott (the stud) plays the newest addition to the Eatenton family as Shelbys husband Jackson Latcherie. All of these actors went on to other movies and their careers grew becasue of this amazing film. These actors bring to characters to life. The actors made the characters loveable, interesting, and relate able. I think most of us can relate to at least on if not more of the characters in this movie and it’s the actors and the great writing that makes this possible..


THE STORY

Ok for those of you who haven't seen the movie yet close your eves as you scroll pass this paragraph because I wouldn't want to give a second of this story away. The movie starts out simply with Annelle ( a girl living in a boarding house on the other side of town because her husband ,a drug lord, had just taken off with all her money and clothes) walking down the streets of what seems to be a quiet little town, music is playing and then she passes The Eatenton home and jumps at the sound of gun shots. Don't worry the shots are blanks and they are being fired into a massive magnolia tree.. Drum (the patriarch of the Eatenton family) is trying to scare the birds out of the tree hanging over where the reception will be taking place in a few hours. "I know I asked your father to get rid of the birds but I had no idea he was gonna alienate the whole neighborhood" M'Lynn exclaims to Shelby while complaining about the loudness of the shots "well the neighbor would be a lot more alienated if they got covered with bird S@#! at my reception" Shelby rebuttals. "pretty talk, do you have to be so crude?" M'Lynn shouts up the stairs to Shelbys as she goes to return to primping for her big day. The movie is more or less centered around Truvys beauty spot. She hires Annelle which is where Annelle's final destination ended up being. This is a story about a girl (Shelby’s) who is in her 20's and she gets married to a handsome young attorney (Jackson) She has a special type of diabetes and just weeks before the wedding her specialist tells her that she shouldn't have children. "don't be stupid Shelby’s, There’s plenty of children out there that need good homes.. we'll adopt 10 of them, we'll buy them if we have to" says Shelby quoting her most recent discussion with Jackson on the issue. Regardless of Doctors orders She gets pregnant anyway. They name her son Jack jr. when Jack is about 1 years old she ends up having to have a kidney transplant. her mother is the donor for her. They both survive the transplant but then about 3-4 months later she is getting jack jr. ready for Halloween and she slips into a diabetic comma. She never awakes again. after a few days of M'lynn never leaving her side they turned off the machines. She passed away leaving a husband and a beautiful little boy.. I'm tearing up right now just thinking about it. I feel that the most powerful part is at the burial site. everyone leaves after the service and goes back to their cars and M'lynn stays and just stands in front of the casket. That is when the tears start to flow. Then all the girls from the beauty shop leave there husbands at their cars and walk up to M'Lynn to attempt to offer support. Annette (who by this time is a die hard Christian) tries to offer relief by saying simply " M'Lynn, I know in times like this its hard to see the bright side but I for one am happy to know that she is on my side” Then after crying for a minuet she decides that she needs to go back to the house and when walking she had an emotional outburst. That’s when I cry the most. It is based on a true story. The story is about the writers sister. It’s a powerful screen play that makes you question was it worth it? Having this beautiful baby boy was the reason for her early demise and you have to wonder what if. I think the 1 ½ years she got to spend with her son was worth it to her. The movie ends with Annette leaving the Easter picnic in labor , approximately 2 years after being introduced into this society of women. It shows them heading to the hospital and plays the music that introduced the movie. I think the message he is trying to convey is that life does goes on.


This move contains a powerful message. I love the setting also because I grew up in the south and this is how Southerners are. They are so relaxed and content with lives that encircle around a beauty salon and friends that are so different yet so similar. I always tease and say that I’m Ouiser and my best friend Alicia is Clairee. I suggest everyone watch this movie. I think even guys would love it if you could actually get one to sit down and watch it. I hope this review was ‘very helpful’ in assisting you in deciding wither or not to watch it. If you want a movie that will uplift your spirits while giving you a lesson on life this is a great movie to go out and buy. I say buy cause you will want to watch it many many times..



















Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Good for a Rainy Day
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older