Fried Green Tomatoes (1991)

A housewife who is unhappy with her life befriends an old lady in a nursing home and is enthralled by the tales she tells of people she used to know.

Director:

Jon Avnet

Writers:

Fannie Flagg (novel), Fannie Flagg (screenplay),

Stars:

Kathy Bates, Mary Stuart Masterson, Mary-Louise Parker

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 6 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kathy Bates	...	Evelyn Couch
Mary Stuart Masterson	...	Idgie Threadgoode
Mary-Louise Parker	...	Ruth Jamison
Jessica Tandy	...	Ninny Threadgoode
Cicely Tyson	...	Sipsey
Chris O'Donnell	...	Buddy Threadgoode
Stan Shaw	...	Big George
Gailard Sartain	...	Ed Couch
Timothy Scott	...	Smokey Lonesome (as Tim Scott)
Gary Basaraba	...	Grady Kilgore
Lois Smith	...	Mama Threadgoode
Jo Harvey Allen	...	Women's Awareness Teacher
Macon McCalman	...	Prosecutor Percy
Richard Riehle	...	Reverend Scroggins
Raynor Scheine	...	Sheriff Curtis Smoote

Storyline

Evelyn Couch is having trouble in her marriage, and no one seems to take her seriously. While in a nursing home visiting relatives, she meets Ninny Threadgoode, an outgoing old woman, who tells her the story of Idgie Threadgoode, a young woman in 1920's Alabama. Through Idgie's inspiring life, Evelyn learns to be more assertive and builds a lasting friendship of her own with Ninny.

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Plot Keywords:

nursing home | 1920s | stories | alabama | friendship | 

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Taglines:

The secret of life? The secret's in the sauce.

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Genres:

Drama | Comedy

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 December 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Tomates verdes fritos

Filming Locations:

Agnes Scott College - 141 E. College Avenue, Decatur, Georgia, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$80,100,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Act III Communications, Avnet/Kerner Productions, Electric Shadow Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

130 min 137 min (extended)

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The "Valdosta" courthouse in the movie (where the trial is held) is not actually Valdosta's courthouse. The real one is white brick, the movie courthouse has red brick.

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Goofs

In the beginning of the movie when Mrs. Threadgood is talking to Evelin she says that Idge is arrested. But it turns out that she does not get convicted of murder like Mrs. Threadgood says she does.

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Quotes

Sipsey: Secret's in the sauce.

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Connections

Referenced in Jeopardy!: Million Dollar Celebrity Invitational Quarterfinal 6 (2010)

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Soundtracks

"What Becomes of the Brokenhearted"
Written by James Dean, Paul Riser, and William Weatherspoon
Produced by Arthur Baker
Co-Produced by Tommy Faragher
Performed by Paul Young
Mixed by Michael Brauer
Courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment (U.K.)

User Reviews

Storytelling at Its Best

I enjoyed this movie immensely. This is one of the best examples of storytelling that I have seen. The structure of the movie - alternating between the past and present, with multiple intertwining plots - keeps the viewer hooked on how the story will unfold. It unfolds gracefully and is enjoyable throughout.

The acting is exceptional. Mary Stuart Masterson and Mary Louise Parker carry the bulk of the acting load. They are fantastic. The relationship between these very different young women is complex and satisfying.

Since the movie is about women and the female roles are so strong, this movie has been dubbed a "chick flick", but that pejorative is unfair. This is good film making and those who like plot-driven cinema will enjoy this immensely. This one is in my DVD collection.