eric262003 I liked to be entertained. There's no denying that. Whether stage, screen or social media, if you entertain, you'll leave me with a smile on my face. Between stage and screen, screen is my top priority. Not that I'm bashing theatre at all, the artistic merit put into these productions are well crafted and carry a great level of energy to linger on inside of you. But when plays and musicals evolve onto the big screen I like to see if they are able to successfully transition themselves and capture the same amount of applauds to the bigger audience as they did with the smaller crowds. From 1989, "Steel Magnolias" successfully went to that direction to where everything was located in one particular setting and bringing camera crew to film it in multiple settings in a two hour duration.Set in a small village in Louisiana, the opening scenes are on the eve of Shelby Eatonton's (Julia Roberts) wedding to Jackson Latcherie (Dylan McDermott). She and her mother M'Lynn (Sally Field) go and get their hair done at a local salon owned by Truvy Jones (Dolly Parton). Joining them are their friends Clairee Belcher (Olympia Dukakis), Ouiser Boudreaux (Shirley McLaine) and spend the day talking about town life and the latest gossip. Joining them is Truvy's newest employee, Annelle Dupuy Desoto (Daryl Hannah). Picking up from their conversations we learn that Shelby and Jackson have had their differences lately and that Shelby is a diabetic. We also get the invitation to explore further into the lives of these women in both their happy and sentimental times. but through all their trials and tribulations, they are always there for each other like sisters of different age groups.Granted, the average movie fans are more infatuated with high adrenaline and stories with complex plots. And I'm part of that majority as well, But it's still a welcome to have simplistic stories that come around from time to time with characters we can easily invest in. Through a series of vignettes, we can get a better understanding of the characters and find a likeness through each and everyone of them without falling victim to any elaborate plot twists. The reactions of these women's lives whether good or bad are absolutely priceless. And though the focal character in this film is around Shelby, their really is no leading performer as each character has their moments in the sun.The original play was situated solely in Truvy's salon, but the movie freely locates the settings to other public venues in the outskirts of the small town in Louisiana like a carnival, a church and a hospital. But the majority of the film is still at Truvy's which was based on the play by Robert Harling who also wrote the screenplay this movie is based on. The dialogue as whole is very memorable with plenty of humour and at times can also be touching. But when these women collaborate, they touch upon a myriad of topics, some of may be gossip, but nothing cringe worthy, but a lot of their subject matter is on life and love. Sure the talk presented here is done with sincerity whether talking about others or themselves, but it helps prevent itself from just being another face in the crowd when it comes to chick flicks. But the nice thing about "Steel Magnolias" is that it never portrays Southerners in a negative way. They're loving and caring individuals and they don't come across as illiterate or racist.Though a far cry from anything considered a masterpiece, "Steel Magnolias", it is too dependent on dialogue from Herbert Ross, it's still a clever story that is never bogged down with clutter. The acting was very impressive with a variety of emotional depth from Sally Field and Shirley McLaine being the scene stealer is quite notorious at being. If there was one real red herring about this movie was the unnecessary use of the epilogue as the curtain closed. I liked the message of hope it delivers to you, but we really needed a more uplifting happy moment after an incredibly emotional third act. But instead the movie cops out by injecting ideas of another movie in the making instead of just wrapping up the film and letting the characters move forward in their lives. In spite of that shortcoming, "Steel Magnolias" has aged gracefully to create a great story with larger than life characters with memorable quotes one will remember once the credits begin.

Ora Lee Steel Magnolias is a film that in my opinion is well worth watching. The story depicts a southern family living in a small town in Louisiana. The film has the viewer engrossed in the preparation of the daughter's wedding with the involvement of family and friends so typical of a southern community. Just as things are going wonderfully, life takes a terrible turn for this family. The movie has you laughing and crying as it is filled with humor and heartbreak and the story of the Eatenton family unfolds.Truvy's Beauty Parlor is the happening place where the women of Chiquapin Parish come to gather to share life's events. Truvy Jones (Dolly Parton), the owner of the parlor is the person who offers advice on dealing with life's problems. M 'Lynn Eatenton (Sally Fields) and her daughter Shelby (Julia Roberts) visit the parlor often in preparation for Shelby's wedding. Truvy has hired an assistant, Annelle Dupuy (Daryl Hannah) who is an interesting character who is very religious as well as very mixed up in her marriage as the viewer is unsure if she is married or not due to legal issues. Other women in the community also visit the parlor and give their input into the wedding and the gossip of the town. Ouiser Boudreaux (Shirley MacLaine) is a character that is ill tempered, negative and tells everyone exactly what she thinks; she is not well liked by some of the other characters in the movie, especially Drum Eatenton (Tom Skerritt) as they are constantly bickering and making cross remarks to each other. The only person who seems to like Ouiser is the character Clairee Belcher (Olympia Dukakis) who has been recently widowed; she is a friend to Ouiser but loves poking fun at her.Shelby's wedding occurs in the back yard of her home. Her father Drum is always into something from shooting birds out of the trees in preparation for the wedding to bickering with Ouiser. The wedding occurs and several months pass when Shelby announces that she is pregnant. The town is happy with the announcement except her mother who worries because Shelby is a diabetic with frequent episodes of illnesses and her body is showing signs of kidney failure. Shelby delivers her son Jackson but not long after, her body does go into kidney failure. M'lynn donates a kidney to her daughter but shortly after Jackson turns one, Shelby's body rejects her kidney and she falls into a coma. Shelby loses the battle and her family has to remove her from life support.The movie takes you through emotional ups and downs of all of these characters as their lives intertwine. The heartbreak of a family as they journey through the happiness of their daughter's wedding, the birth of her child and then the struggles of her disease as it takes her life and leaves young Jackson without a mother. By the end of the movie, you have laughed so hard at the bickering between Ouiser and Dunn with Clariee and her smart comments. M'lynn mourns the death of her daughter and the other characters support her with love and at the same time humor that takes the viewer from crying to immediate laughter.Steel Magnolias was released in 1989, written by Robert Harling and directed by Herbert Ross. The movie kept the viewer totally engrossed as they laughed and cried with the characters. It allowed the viewer to see life unfold through the good and the bad and showed how life goes on with the love and support of others and allowed the viewer to relate to different circumstances in life. The movie ended with M'lynn finally accepting her daughter's death with a new focus on life, her grandson Jackson. As the characters all gathered at an Easter egg hunt on Easter morning, Annelle goes into labor and is rushed to the hospital with the quick reality that life does go on and new life begins.

dilnazsumo Steel Magnolias,full of laughter, pain, joy, and sorrow is a must see movie for all women. It is Based on Robert Harling's, experience with his sisters tragic death. The story of a close group of friends convey the relationship we have in our lives. the struggles and triumphs the women go through will have you emotionally attached.The meaning behind the title comes from the meaning of women from the south. The Magnolia flower is a beautiful scented and dainty flower much like the gentile women of the old South. In addition, the word steel comes from the women's strength and stability through their troubles. After seeing this movie many times, the obstacles the women go through especially, M'Lynn whom defines the fragile but also strong heart of women. I have learned that life can be hard at times, and even though we may not accept such instances like death, we have to be strong and strive for the best. The women in this movie can be defined as delicate as a magnolia but though as steel.

brefane An overblown film version of a a small, one set play that proves that less IS more. Set entirely in a beauty parlor on 3 separate days, the play had no locker room scenes, weddings, funerals, birthday parties, state fairs or men. Everything was told through the dialog and the men were seen through the eyes of its female characters. It was a women's world the men where not privy to. Unfortunately, opening up the play destroys its spirit, and dissipates its power and intimacy. The best lines from the play are now blasted by assured Hollywood divas and overemphasized by director Herbert Ross. The characters seem to be quoting bumper stickers.The male characters feel gratuitous because they have nothing of consequence to say or do. Darryl Hannah never lets you forget she's cast against type, and Dukakis, Parton and Maclaine never let you forget they're acting. Roberts who has the most sugarcoated role comes off better while Field manages some impressive emoting. The dialog still gets laughs, and Field may move you to tears, but overall it reminds me of The Golden Girls(TV).