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 | Bird | Beauty Parlor | Louisiana | Locker Room

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations

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:

When Robert Harling last spoke to his sister, he was telling her how hard it was to be a writer in New York and have people consider his work. His sister commented on how she wished she could help him somehow but she didn't know what she could do. When she died after surgery, Harling wrote the play that this movie is based on in her honor, thereby making him an established and respected writer.

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:

Ouiser Boudreaux: I'm not as sweet as I used to be.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Jeff Foxworthy: Totally Committed (1998) (TV)

Soundtrack:

I GOT MINE

Probably my favorite movie...

Although there are several films that I would rank in the top ten best of all time, this is probably my favorite, and is a good past time to watch that never lets me down. As many times as I've seen this film (and it's a lot), it never fails me; with tears, laughter and excellent acting and reality. Julia Roberts, as I recall was nominated for her portrayal as a young woman with diabetes, and in my opinion, should have won for this and not for "Erin Brockovich". But, the real gem and overlooked one in the movie is Sally Field. This is by far and away, her best role and performance she ever snagged, and nailed, and I rank her performance in this as one of my top five best performances in motion picture history of all time.

All the characters and performances in this are excellent, including one such, by Daryl Hannah, who I don't care for, but love in this movie. In fact, her character Anell, is the only role I've ever liked her in, and applaud her work in it.

Among the cast there are very few men, but my favorite is Tom Skerrit, who plays Sally Field's husband, and father to Julia Robert. Shirley MaClain, Olympia Dukakis, and Dolly Parton are the other three co-stars, that follow behind the three previous, and all make their characters unique.

The basis of the film, is a beauty parlor, and although it might sound hokey, it's really not. Some might call it a chick flick, but I have to say that I know men have even gotten teary-eyed from this film. It's wonderfully directed, only in that, it makes you feel apart of the never ending friendship that's between this group of women. The experiences that they have and the trials and tribulations they go through. Although not the whole movie is set in the hair salon, a good portion of the film is, but it is done in just the right amount, and is written very well.

I recommend it for girls of all ages, and men who want to impress their girlfriends with a great flick for a Friday night. It is one of the best films of all time, and if for no other reason, you should watch this merely to see the performance Sally Field gives, because it is amazing.