Steel Magnolias
Julia Roberts, Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine, Dolly Parton; Directed by Herbert Ross
Nearly the entire town of Chinquapin Parish is aflutter with the excitement of the pending wedding between two of its most beloved residents, Shelby (Julia Roberts) and Jackson (Dylan McDermott). Regardless of the wedding, the day proves to be a most unusual one. Quiet and mysterious Anelle (Daryl Hannah) arrives in town to vie for the position of “beauty technician” (hairdresser) at the all-important town staple - Truvy’s Salon (headed by Miss Dolly Parton herself, no less).
As the hour of the ceremony nears, six dear friends gather together in the salon to gossip and chat about almost everything under the sun. This most colorful cast is rounded out by the exasperated mother of the bride to be, M’Lynn (Sally Field), the cantankerous meddler, Ousier (Shirley MacLaine), and the wonderfully warm yet bitingly sarcastic Clairee Belcher (Olympia Dukakis). Alas, this is also the day that Shelby must break to her dear friends that her battle with diabetes has forced her to put away all thoughts of ever having children. Needless to say, the day has thus far run less than smoothly, but all in all, the ceremony proves to be a great success. Life goes on. But it is not long before the excited bride returns to her hometown with the news that she has become pregnant. While this is happy news to her, the others know that young Shelby’s life has now been put into danger, and the friends must hold fast together to survive the roller coaster ride that is coming. For that which does not kill them, will make them stronger.
To me, this film is the Queen Mother of the “chick-flick” category. You will laugh just as hard as you will cry, and there is a never-ending supply of instantly quotable lines. This is also a dream cast, full of once and future heavyweights that demand multiple viewings, as there is always something new to catch, and always a priceless reaction to delight in all over again. Daryl Hannah does a fantastically quirky turn as the lovably awkward and timid newcomer, Anelle, and the camaraderie between Shirley MacLaine and Olympia Dukakis is a particular treasure to see onscreen.
Sally Field fits her part like a glove, believably portraying a mother with so much to gain and so much to lose, while trying to balance the needs of the crazy characters in both her family and in the community at the same time. The film is made all the more charming and hilarious in that it is set in the Deep South at the end of the 1980’s. The clothes, the accents, the mannerisms - it all makes for a recipe as deliciously tacky as a wedding cake in the shape of a giant armadillo (see the movie, you’ll get it). All that being said, the film does bear the incredibly heavy weight of a harrowing subject matter that proffers many heartbreaking and sorrowful scenes.
Though this is a film primarily populated with women, many a man has found Steel Magnolias to be extremely amusing, if not entertaining at the very least. It also helps that the ladies are backed by a solid supporting cast that includes Tom Skerritt, Kevin J. O’Connor, and Sam Shepard. This film should not be missed by anyone who enjoys a good laugh or a good cry. The best comedies always walk a fine line between humor and tragedy, and Steel Magnolias is one of the best and most successful examples of this.
Grading:
Story = A
Originality = A
DVD Features = N/A
Acting = A
Enjoyability = A
Visuals = B
Overall = A
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