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 | Beauty Parlor | Bird | Louisiana | Humor

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:

This movie was based on a play written about a sister of Phi Mu sorority. Susan Harling was a member of the Kappa Iota chapter and her brother wrote the play on which the movie is based.

Goofs:

Continuity: Before the wedding, all of the girls are in Truvy's, talking. Clairee is sitting in front of a stack of Easter eggs. Notice how the colors and placement of the eggs change almost every time the camera pans to Clairee.

Quotes:

Truvy: Oh, honey, God don't care which church you go, long as you show up!

Movie Connections:

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

Soundtrack:

GYPSY BLOOD

A 'Chick Flick' Men Can Enjoy, Too!

With Julia Roberts the superstar she is today, it's an excellent time to enjoy the film that contains her best performance, Steel Magnolias.

As the doomed but optimistic daughter of Sally Field and Tom Skerrit, she holds her own in a cast of movie divas, including Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis, Dolly Parton, and (in her best film work, as well), Darryl Hannah.

The film is basically a warm, upbeat character study of a group of women friends, played out in a beautiful Louisiana bayou town. The story begins with Roberts' wedding, then carries on through the ups and downs of the friends' lives. The men in the story are secondary characters, and occasionally come across as a bit selfish (Roberts' husband), or buffoons (Hannah's boyfriend), yet one of the joys of this movie is that you come to love the women so much, you don't mind the men's shortcomings, and start liking them, too!

The standout performances of the film are from Roberts, and MacLaine, as a spinster with a sarcastic tongue, and, ultimately, a heart of gold. Her scenes with Dukakis are hilarious, yet full of the warmth that makes this film so special!

A couple of things usually overlooked, but worth mentioning; the enchanting film score (I wish the soundtrack would be re-released!), and a bit part by Janine Turner, before 'Northern Exposure' made her a star.

This is a very special film, for both Roberts' fans, and anyone who wants to believe in the healing powers of friendship. Yes, this film can be defined as a 'chick flick', but guys, you'll end up enjoying it, too!