Steel Magnolias (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
'Steel Magnolias' (directed by Herbert Ross & based on a popular stage play) opens on a sunny spring day in the small, tight-knit town of Chinquapin, Louisiana. Drum Eatenton (Tom Skerritt) is shooting birds in the trees of his yard in preparation for his daughter's wedding reception that afternoon. Simultaneously, we see a young woman walking down a street. The 20-ish yr. old woman walks into a home-based beauty parlor owned by good-natured Truvy Jones (Dolly Parton). We soon find out that the woman is beauty school grad, Annelle Dupui Desoto (Daryl Hannah), who's come to answer Truvy's request to the college for a new hair girl. Annelle is hired immediately because she is needed for said wedding day of Truvy's good friend, M'Lynn's (Sally Field) daughter, Shelby (Julia Roberts).
Shelby is a diabetic facing a marriage (to a handsome lawyer played by Dylan McDermott) that may not result in children due to her ailment, & her mom is perpetually worried - because it could prove fatal for her. As the day goes on, the salon starts filling up with Truvy's favorite gossiping 'magnolias'; a colorful & eccentric circle of friends who are all abuzz about the wedding. They include: Ouiser Boudreaux (Shirley MacLaine), a cantankerous 2-time widow, decked-out in grungy overalls, who owns a large mangy dog, & looks at her life with the glass half-empty; and Clairee Belcher (Olympia Dukakis), a cheerful & rich widow, who enjoys taking cracks at Ouiser every chance she gets. These women all gossip throughout the year as holidays & other gatherings come & go. As time passes, Annelle goes through a divorce, a stage of rebellion, meets a nice guy, & becomes a born-again Christian.
During Christmas, Shelby announces that she is, in fact, with child. She's thrilled, but her mom disapproves & is terrified that her daughter's body won't be able to handle the stress of pregnancy. But Shelby tries to explains to her mom (in a very heartrending scene), "I'd rather have 30 minutes of wonderful, than a lifetime of nothing special". The film then jumps about 1.5 yrs. ahead & picks up with everyone celebrating the 1st birthday of Shelby's son, Jack Jr. But drama ensues when Shelby discovers that her kidneys are beginning to fail as a result of the pregnancy. Will Shelby live to see her boy grow up? Or will she die & leave M'Lynn asking "why"? At this time, M'Lynn offers to donate her kidney to Shelby. As everyone waits to see if the surgery is a success, the female friends show that through love, laughter, tears, apathy, joys, & sorrow ... that southern flowers (such as magnolias) can weather any storm.
'Steel Magnolias' is essentially a series of warm and/or humorous set pieces & dialogues that lead up to a very grave situation. But that said, the funny spurts really are hysterical. And the sad sections really puncture our hearts. Director Herbert Ross does a great job balancing the 2 differing moods. But it's really the winning performances that make this film sparkle. Sally Field has a knack for comedy. But here, she's allowed to show her dramatic chops - and boy, does she ever; particularly in a titanic monologue with about 10 minutes left of the film -- effective stuff. Julia Roberts is stunning in an eye-opening portrayal as Shelby; a woman determined to overcome her odds. Dolly Parton is as sunny, relatable, & natural as ever. You'd give anything to know her Truvy. Olympia Dukakis is a hoot; loved her "If you can't find anything good to say about anybody, come sit by me". And her antics with Ouiser are a welcomed addition to the film.
Speaking of Ouiser, Shirley MacLaine had me rolling as the town nutcase; being tugged around behind her enormous dog. Her comic line deliveries/barbs are spot on. And yet, she also achieves so much in the quieter, sadder moments. The male characters aren't given much to do. But this female ensemble cast - trading zingers & one-liners - are the film's strength. You know, from the opening scenes (pre-wedding) to the various character introductions, to the poignant, bittersweet conclusion ... I was just fully enamored by 'Steel Magnolias'. You'll laugh & cry. It's undeniably entertaining. And it's a wonderful character study of people (most notably, women) from a certain slice of life. I am a guy, & I don't mind saying that.
Shelby is a diabetic facing a marriage (to a handsome lawyer played by Dylan McDermott) that may not result in children due to her ailment, & her mom is perpetually worried - because it could prove fatal for her. As the day goes on, the salon starts filling up with Truvy's favorite gossiping 'magnolias'; a colorful & eccentric circle of friends who are all abuzz about the wedding. They include: Ouiser Boudreaux (Shirley MacLaine), a cantankerous 2-time widow, decked-out in grungy overalls, who owns a large mangy dog, & looks at her life with the glass half-empty; and Clairee Belcher (Olympia Dukakis), a cheerful & rich widow, who enjoys taking cracks at Ouiser every chance she gets. These women all gossip throughout the year as holidays & other gatherings come & go. As time passes, Annelle goes through a divorce, a stage of rebellion, meets a nice guy, & becomes a born-again Christian.
During Christmas, Shelby announces that she is, in fact, with child. She's thrilled, but her mom disapproves & is terrified that her daughter's body won't be able to handle the stress of pregnancy. But Shelby tries to explains to her mom (in a very heartrending scene), "I'd rather have 30 minutes of wonderful, than a lifetime of nothing special". The film then jumps about 1.5 yrs. ahead & picks up with everyone celebrating the 1st birthday of Shelby's son, Jack Jr. But drama ensues when Shelby discovers that her kidneys are beginning to fail as a result of the pregnancy. Will Shelby live to see her boy grow up? Or will she die & leave M'Lynn asking "why"? At this time, M'Lynn offers to donate her kidney to Shelby. As everyone waits to see if the surgery is a success, the female friends show that through love, laughter, tears, apathy, joys, & sorrow ... that southern flowers (such as magnolias) can weather any storm.
'Steel Magnolias' is essentially a series of warm and/or humorous set pieces & dialogues that lead up to a very grave situation. But that said, the funny spurts really are hysterical. And the sad sections really puncture our hearts. Director Herbert Ross does a great job balancing the 2 differing moods. But it's really the winning performances that make this film sparkle. Sally Field has a knack for comedy. But here, she's allowed to show her dramatic chops - and boy, does she ever; particularly in a titanic monologue with about 10 minutes left of the film -- effective stuff. Julia Roberts is stunning in an eye-opening portrayal as Shelby; a woman determined to overcome her odds. Dolly Parton is as sunny, relatable, & natural as ever. You'd give anything to know her Truvy. Olympia Dukakis is a hoot; loved her "If you can't find anything good to say about anybody, come sit by me". And her antics with Ouiser are a welcomed addition to the film.
Speaking of Ouiser, Shirley MacLaine had me rolling as the town nutcase; being tugged around behind her enormous dog. Her comic line deliveries/barbs are spot on. And yet, she also achieves so much in the quieter, sadder moments. The male characters aren't given much to do. But this female ensemble cast - trading zingers & one-liners - are the film's strength. You know, from the opening scenes (pre-wedding) to the various character introductions, to the poignant, bittersweet conclusion ... I was just fully enamored by 'Steel Magnolias'. You'll laugh & cry. It's undeniably entertaining. And it's a wonderful character study of people (most notably, women) from a certain slice of life. I am a guy, & I don't mind saying that.