Steel Magnolias (1989)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Herbert Ross

Writers (WGA):

Robert Harling (play)
Robert Harling (screenplay)

Release Date:

15 November 1989 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

The funniest movie ever to make you cry.

Plot:

Revolving around Truvy's Beauty Parlor in a small parish in modern-day Louisiana, STEEL MAGNOLIAS is...

Plot Keywords:

Wedding | Beauty Parlor | Bird | Louisiana | Humor

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Fri. July 24	8:00 PM	OXYGEN
Sat. July 25	2:30 PM	OXYGEN

Cast

Sally Field	...	M'Lynn Eatenton
Dolly Parton	...	Truvy Jones
Shirley MacLaine	...	Ouiser Boudreaux
Daryl Hannah	...	Annelle Dupuy Desoto
Olympia Dukakis	...	Clairee Belcher
Julia Roberts	...	Shelby Eatenton Latcherie
Tom Skerritt	...	Drum Eatenton
Sam Shepard	...	Spud Jones
Dylan McDermott	...	Jackson Latcherie
Kevin J. O'Connor	...	Sammy Desoto
Bill McCutcheon	...	Owen Jenkins
Ann Wedgeworth	...	Aunt Fern
Knowl Johnson	...	Tommy Eatenton
Jonathan Ward	...	Jonathan Eatenton
Bibi Besch	...	Belle Marmillion

Runtime:

117 min | Spain:119 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Ireland:PG | Iceland:L | USA:PG (certificate #29428) | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Canada:PG | Chile:TE | Finland:S | Peru:14 | Singapore:PG | Sweden:Btl | UK:PG | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Natchitoches, Louisiana, USA

Company:

Rastar Films

Trivia:

There is no parish or town in Louisiana known as Chinquapin. "Chinquapin" is the name for a type of fish and a particular breed of oak tree. The town of Natchitoches in the parish of the same name served as the backdrop for the film. The town was named after the "NAKTOSH" Indians whose names means "chinquapin eaters". Natchitoches actually does have a large Christmas Light Festival annually. Natchitoches was also the first settlement in the Louisiana Territory.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Clary, Truvy and Annelle are in church, they are sitting in back of a family whose pew looks full. Ouiser walks in and winks at Owen. We see the family again, and the pew is still looking full with the mother, son and daughter sitting very close together. In the next shot Ouiser is standing next to the pew and suddenly there's a big space between the sister and the brother, where Ouiser sits.

Quotes:

Truvy: Oh, honey, God don't care which church you go, long as you show up!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Runaway Bride (1999)

Soundtrack:

I GOT MINE

Based On A Real Life Incident

This film is worth watching for two reasons. First, it is based on a tragic, real life event. As such, an enhanced credibility sustains the film's underlying premise, and thus renders a much greater potential for viewer impact and depth of meaning, as opposed to a work of fiction. Second, quite aside from its autobiographical roots, the film has entertainment value, expressed mostly as snappy, funny dialogue, delivered competently by an ensemble cast of likable actresses. Attention to detail in costumes and production design, and adroit film editing, further amplify the film's overall technical quality.

"Steel Magnolias" is a story about the close knit relationships between six ordinary Southern women, living in a small town in Louisiana. The film has a homespun, unpretentious feel to it, rather like "Fried Green Tomatoes".

The plot alternates between humorous, small, everyday events and good-natured quips, on the one hand ... and on the other hand, the seriousness and heartache attendant to life's unexpected crises. Through the laughs and tears, the six women learn to endure hard times, and thus emerge from their struggles with grace and dignity.

Finding something to criticize here is not easy. I can think of several changes that I would have made, to satisfy my own personal preferences. But the film is solid and substantial, as is. I suppose one could zero in on the acting. A couple of the cast members overact their parts, at some point or another in the film.

Overall, "Steel Magnolias" is technically well made. And the content engages our interest, as a result of its true-to-life theme, its all star cast, and some very clever dialogue.