Steel Magnolias was released nationwide in theaters on November 19, 1989. In Steel Magnolias, directed by Herbert Ross and written by Robert Harling, we follow the friendship of 6 southern and wise-cracking women who go through different seasons of life together in the small town of Chinquapin, Louisiana. The leading ladies are phenomenal as six southern women bound by friendship and the message of true companionship reaches and touches the heart.
The six women this story follows are Truvy (Dolly Parton), Annelle, Clairee, Ouiser, M’Lynn (Sally Field), and Shelby (Julia Roberts).
Steel Magnolias is an adaption of the play of the same name and both play and movie were written by Robert Harling. Something that worked well in the original script of the play is the gut-busting, toe-tapping one-liners. For the film, the writer decided to keep most if not all the same one-liners, but when it comes to the actors delivering these lines it just doesn’t work, it comes off inauthentic and flat, particularly for Truvy. Dolly Parton could be mistaken as a horrible actress but when the other leading ladies took a shot at the one-liners it was just as horrible and provided cringing moments. Dolly’s performance can be overshadowed by these bad one-liners when she gives a very solid and natural performance outside those lines.
When Steel Magnolias translated into film it came with much more added material. The change of settings makes this movie bigger compared to the original play with just one setting, which is Truvy’s beauty shop. Another addition is that men are in the film, in the play they were described and talked about but never seen. Shelby’s father delivered many laughs and the audience that I was with watching this movie enjoyed him.
A problem with added material in this film is the unnecessary scenes that ran too long. At Shelby's wedding reception a romantic couple, which we as the audience don’t know who they are, decide to take center stage and show off their dandy dancing for two or three minutes straight. This was tiring to see two people who have nothing to do with the movie dance for no apparent reason.
Herbert Ross made some mistakes but did a fantastic job with the last few scenes which were just breathtaking. When M’Lynn is at the funeral of her daughter, Sally Field gives a very strong and emotional performance in which she asks the question why her daughter is gone and expresses how she wishes her daughter is still with her. Roger Ebert spoke of Sally Field’s performance during this scene saying, “….heartbreaking monologue by Sally Field…. tremendously effective, and, yes, we are moved”.
Herbert Ross’s Steel Magnolias is a jovial and touching movie that stirs the soul no matter what gender you are. The biggest hindrance for the film is the not-so-funny one-liners and some of the added material. Steel Magnolias is meant to provide an emotional rollercoaster and rollercoasters are meant to be considered as fun. If I had bit less testosterone and a bit more estrogen I would have cried. Its certainly a must see and one to add to your collection.
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