Steel Magnolias

O.K. The film is labeled a "Chick Flick" and it is, but there is no reason a guy couldn't enjoy it. I'm a guy and I found it quite enjoyable. With strong performances by everyone and a wonderfully written script, both hilarious and heart wrenching. The cast is completely star studded. First Sally Field plays M'Lynn Eatenton a southern mom with a golden heart. Dolly Parton plays Truvy Jones owner of the local beauty salon and favorite gossip hang out for the women of the film. Shirley MacLaine plays Ouiser Boudreaux the woman you love to hate whom proclaims herself richer than God. Daryl Hannah plays Annelle Dupuy Desoto the shy girl hired by Truvy because of her wonderful work on hair. Olympia Dukakis plays Clairee Belcher a wonderful southern charmer and one of the thorns in Ouiser's side. Julia Roberts plays Shelby Eatenton Latcherie the central character of the film that is plagued with medical problems. Tom Skerritt plays Drum Eatenton, husband of M'Lynn Eatenton. Also there are a couple of smaller parts played by Sam Shepard and Dylan McDermott.

One of the many funny moments in the film occurs when Drum (Skerritt) ask Ouiser for a slice of wedding cake that is shaped like an Armadillo. Drum asks: Ouiser, can we call a truce long enough for me to get a piece of cake? (Ouiser slices him off the tail section) to which Drum replies: Thanks Ouiser, nothing like a good piece of ass!

Sally Feilds performance as the woman letting loose during the cemetery scene seems like Oscar material, but she does not even receive a nomination. Julia Roberts however does receive a nomination but does not win. She does manage to take home a Golden Globe for best actress in a supporting role. As I said before there were some great performances by all the ladies. So "Chick Flick" or not I think many guy's will also enjoy this film.

Another movie that is part of my permanent video collection and never get tired of watching, STEEL MAGNOLIAS is the beautifully expanded version of Robert Harling's play about the relationship between six women who frequent the same beauty parlor. I am pretty sure the first phrase that comes to mind for most people when this film is mentioned is "Chick Flick", but, as a male, I happily admit to loving to watch this movie over and over again, not just because of the six charismatic performances by the actresses, but because this film also has one of the funniest screenplays ever written. Claree: "The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize." Truvy: "Ruth Robeline...now there's a story...her whole life has been an experiment in terror...first her husband was killed in WWII and then her son was killed in Vietnam... I tell you, when it comes to suffering, she's right up there with Elizbeth Taylor." Claree: "well, you always know what I say...if you can't think anything nice to say about anybody, come sit by me." Ouiser: "I'm not crazy...I've just been in a bad mood for the last thirty years." And just when you think your sides about to split open from laughing so hard, the film takes a tragic turn and you're reaching for the Kleenex. The scene in the cemetery is riveting, thanks primarily to a flawless and raw performance by Sally Field, who climaxes what is already a beautiful and commanding performance in the film, with her rage against God as her only outlet of grief at the moment. This scene makes me cry every time I watch the movie. An appeal to the gentlemen out there who have never seen this movie: Give it a chance. I did and I have never regretted it.

An extremely episodic story of several smalltown southern women whose social lives revolve around meetings in the local beauty parlor, STEEL MAGNOLIAS' script and performances are dogged by an aura of artificiality--but it scarcely matters, for the film is a tremendous amount of fun.

Some of the performances are more successful than others, with Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis, Julia Roberts, and Darryl Hannah coming out on top (I am greatly surprised that so many other reviewers dislike Hannah's performance, which seems to me considerably less artificial than many others--but perhaps since I'm actually Southern I have a different perspective). Sally Fields and Dolly Parton are less successful, but not in any sense that actually distracts from the fun. Perhaps most surprising in a film which focuses on women are the brief but impressive performances from the male supporting cast, which includes effective performances by Tom Skerrit, Sam Shepherd, and Dylan McDermott, and which serve to ground the film with a sense of the broader community in which the women live.

The script abounds in zinging one-liners ("If you can't say something nice, come sit by me!") and often hilarious situations (imagine Olympia Dukakis surrounded by naked men in the highschool football team's locker room); it also contains some very touching segments sure to choke up all but the most heartless viewer. And although the story is extremely manipulative and rather predictable, those factors don't actually get in the way of its effectiveness. While probably not a "great film" by any serious standard, it is tremendously good-natured, well-intended, and extremely entertaining, and most people will find that it lingers pleasantly in mind and holds up well under repeated viewings.

Gary F. Taylor, aka GFT, Amazon Reviewer

"Steel Magnolias" is a movie I believe I've known about my entire life. It was released about the time I became cognizant of such things, at age four or five. I think I can remember my mum talking about it, along with "Fried Green Tomatoes", which I'm also about to watch.

The title, indeed, is unforgettable. And intriguing. The movie makes no reference to it, nor explanation. I have seen online that some people have argued it means the characters in the movie are "as delicate as magnolias, but as tough as steel". If that's true it's a fitting title.

What's more indelible, though, and what I'll know I'll remember, is Shirley MacLaine's performance as "Ouiser" - and who could forget that name. She's like the engine that powers the whole movie. The other actresses all play off her.

The movie has a bunch of other great actresses in it, though, and there's not really a weak link. Even the smaller male roles are played by great performers like Sam Shepard, Tom Skerrit, Dylan McDermott, Kevin J. O'Connor.

I wasn't sure if I was going to keep on with this movie at first. It seemed like it might be one of those flicks where the acting is great, but it's like the movie keeps you at a distance. It shows a totally believable world with some colourful characters but you're not sure where you fit in as a viewer.

I'm glad I didn't quit on it. I found the throughline eventually, which is Julia Roberts' character. I kind of knew where the movie was headed (no spoilers) because I read the movie's tagline, and it was pretty predictable. Perhaps, for that, the twist didn't have the emotional impact it should have had.

You know what? I'm going to revisit this movie later. I think it might be the kind of thing that improves on second viewing.

Now that I've recently watched "Beaches" I feel like I need to watch this again, to compare which chick-flick I like more. Those two, plus "Fried Green Tomatoes" tend to be mentioned together as ultimate weepy chick-flicks, and I've seen them all, but I don't remember liking this one quite as much as "Beaches". I'll have to watch again to see...

UPDATE: I watched it again, and I have to say there was far more laughter than tears here, which I appreciate. "Beaches" (1988) actually made me cry more than this one, which surprised me, given the reputation of "Steel Magnolias" (1989) as being one of the ultimate tearjerkers. But, this movie shows that it's not the amount of tears, but the quality of them that makes for a great tearjerker!

The subject of losing a loved one was handled with rage, comic relief, and ultimately grace. It made me cry, without bringing me totally down, which is a kind of miracle, really.

This is a tearjerker, but not a bitter one, like "Miss You Already" is- instead, it was one wherein, as I traveled through life with these women, I felt less resentment, and had fewer regrets, despite the bitter-sweetness of it all. This movie managed to take what could be very depressing subject-matter, and inject dignity and an uplifting quality into it. By the end, I didn't feel like cursing the Almighty for allowing such suffering (as I sort of did with "Miss You Already" and to a lesser degree, "Beaches"), instead, by the end, I just had a line said by Dolly Parton's character lingering in my heart- i.e. "God works in mysterious ways." And somehow, that made it alright and gave me such comfort!

Yes, this is a tearjerker, but like it's tagline says, "It's the funniest film that'll ever make you cry!" As I said, it's far more laughter than tears here, and I mean laugh out loud moments! So, be prepared to laugh til you cry with this one! It is indeed a classic! Do I like it more than "Beaches" (1988) though? No, I don't think so, cause I have a soft spot for Bette Midler and her Easy Listening music and her comedic ways. That said, this one is right up there with it, and definitely one of the best of its kind!