Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

Set in a small Louisiana town, that is just like any other small town in the United States, is where you find this story of friendship, love, and inspiration. In any small town there is a gathering place for the women of the community where they gossip and laugh while comparing the ends and outs of everyday life. The gathering place in this movie is Truvy’s (Dolly Parton) Beauty Spot.

The talk of the town lately has been the upcoming wedding of MaLynne Eatonton’s (Sally Field) daughter, Shelby Eatonton (Julia Roberts) and Jackson Latcherie (Dillon McDermott). The newcomer to town is Annelle (Daryl Hannah) who is Truvy’s newest assistant with a mysterious past, which everyone wants to learn about. Ouiser Boudreaux (Shirley MacLaine) is the wealthy town grouch, who people seem to try to steer clear of, that is except for her friends who love her with all her faults. Clairee Belcher (Olympia Dukakis), is the wealthy, widow of the former mayor of the town.

With the wedding approaching you will see that Shelby is a determined young woman, who is a severe diabetic, yet still wants to have children against the advice of not only her doctors, but also her mother. Being determined Shelby does get pregnant and gives birth to a healthy baby boy. It won’t be long before the toll that the birth has taken on her body becomes evident and the struggle to save her life begins. Mother and daughter become close and MaLynn gives one of her kidneys to save Shelby. The surgery that was successful takes a tragic turn on Halloween when her husband finds Shelby in a coma. Shelby is put into the hospital where Jackson has to make the hardest decision of his life, to take his wife off of life support. This part of the story will bring you to tears as you watch a mother say goodbye to her daughter forever. The most touching scene of the entire movie is at the cemetery for the burial of Shelby; MaLynn (Sally Field) gives the performance of her life as a mother trying to make sense of the death of her daughter. Her friends surround her to lend support, in what is the saddest part of the movie, yet also the funniest. MaLynn says “I just want to hit someone until they feel as bad as I do.” In the next second Clairee offers her friend Ouiser as someone to hit. I found myself crying one second and laughing the next during this scene. This movie shows the true meaning of friends and the strength that women possess.

The ensemble cast is this movie is wonderful as is the story of the friendship of these 5 women. I thought each and every cast member gave wonderful performances. Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Olympia Dukakis, Daryl Hannah and Shirley MacClaine each played wonderful strong women in their own way in this movie. Tom Skerritt as Drum Eatonton, MaLynn’s husband was great comic relief in this movie.

This movie was filmed in the town of Natchitoches’ Louisiana, which is about a 2-hour drive from my home. When visiting Natchitoches’ you can pick up a map of the town, which will show you the way to Truvy’s Beauty Spot, the Eatonton home, and other places from the movie that you would like to visit. It is a beautiful place and a part of the Old South that is worth seeing when you are in the area.

This is a movie that most women will love and want to see over and over again. I would have to say that I don’t see a lot of men enjoying this movie once let alone over and over. I watch it every time I catch it on television where it can be found on channels like TNT, USA and TBS. If you can’t find it here then I would advise that you go down to your nearest video store and rent this wonderful movie of friendship and strength.

Thanks for reading!






Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Good for a Rainy Day
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 9 - 12