Golden magnolias
"Steel Magnolias"
Overall Rating: ****
Six women in a beauty parlor: it doesn't sound like a scenario that would hold much appeal for men. However, playwright Robert Harling chose that as the setting for "Steel Magnolias," based on his family's experiences, and the result holds universal appeal.
"Steel Magnolias" opens with Annelle (Daryl Hannah) applying for a job at Truvy's hair styling salon. Truvy (Dolly Parton) is impressed with her skills, and hires her, just in time to help out for an important day, since not only do two regular customers, Ouiser and Clairee (Shirley MacLaine and Olympia Dukakis) have appointments, but M'Lynn Eatonton (Sally Field) and her daughter Shelby (Julia Roberts), two more regulars, are coming in for hairstyles in preparations for Shelby's wedding. The happy day has a cloud over it, however, since Shelby can't have children because of her diabetes.
The movie has plenty of laughs. For instance, when Drum (M'Lynn's husband, played by Tom Skerritt) can't find his gun, he makes one final attempt to clear a flock of birds from a tree near their house; I laughed for about twenty minutes the first time I saw what he did--and the results. Then there are the copious amusing lines, such as when Ouiser calls Drum "a boil on the butt of humanity." You will laugh plenty while watching this movie. Despite the many jokes, however, the movie is a tearjerker. Like many dramas that employ comedy, the funniest scenes tend to be towards the beginning, and the more touching ones towards the end; having laughed with the characters makes the later scenes even more moving. It may be an old trick, but it works admirably here.
All of the lead actresses are very good. Dolly Parton, in particular, just oozes southern charm here--and is a convincing small-town hair stylist. Shirley MacLaine and Olympia Dukakis, as Ouiser and Clairee, are the best. They both capture their characters' true natures, and they play off each other beautifully. Their deliveries are flawless--important since they have many of the film's comic lines. They both have strong presences on screen, and MacLaine and Dukakis are a big part of the film's success.
"Steel Magnolias" also has some other nice touches. For instance, in one scene, after a death in the family, the entire family is filmed in shadows. Then, at the Christmas festival, the filmmakers chose to play "Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland"--ironic, since the setting isn't that cold.
The movie adaptation of "Steel Magnolias" does lose some of the tight-knit feel the play has. The play has only six characters (all women) and one set, which helps to reinforce the close friendship of the women. The greater expanse of the film undermines this somewhat; on the other hand, the film does get one of the funniest movie sequences in return.
There isn't too much to be concerned about with children and this movie. There is a fairly dramatic (though non-violent) death scene, one shot showing numerous condoms taped to a car, and some strong language. While the PG rating is reasonable, I imagine that children, especially younger children would lose patience with "Steel Magnolias" during the serious scenes. It's not intended for children.
Many people complain that Hollywood doesn't make nice films anymore. There may be fewer such films now, but "Steel Magnolias" is definitely one of them. It's about nice people, and is amusing and moving. Even more importantly, it is very entertaining. "Steel Magnolias" may be the title, but this movie is pure gold.
Note: If you want to see the play "Steel Magnolias" for comparison, and live in the Jacksonville area, the Alhambra dinner theater is doing it in the summer of 2000. The last time they did it, they did an excellent job.
Overall Rating: ****
Six women in a beauty parlor: it doesn't sound like a scenario that would hold much appeal for men. However, playwright Robert Harling chose that as the setting for "Steel Magnolias," based on his family's experiences, and the result holds universal appeal.
"Steel Magnolias" opens with Annelle (Daryl Hannah) applying for a job at Truvy's hair styling salon. Truvy (Dolly Parton) is impressed with her skills, and hires her, just in time to help out for an important day, since not only do two regular customers, Ouiser and Clairee (Shirley MacLaine and Olympia Dukakis) have appointments, but M'Lynn Eatonton (Sally Field) and her daughter Shelby (Julia Roberts), two more regulars, are coming in for hairstyles in preparations for Shelby's wedding. The happy day has a cloud over it, however, since Shelby can't have children because of her diabetes.
The movie has plenty of laughs. For instance, when Drum (M'Lynn's husband, played by Tom Skerritt) can't find his gun, he makes one final attempt to clear a flock of birds from a tree near their house; I laughed for about twenty minutes the first time I saw what he did--and the results. Then there are the copious amusing lines, such as when Ouiser calls Drum "a boil on the butt of humanity." You will laugh plenty while watching this movie. Despite the many jokes, however, the movie is a tearjerker. Like many dramas that employ comedy, the funniest scenes tend to be towards the beginning, and the more touching ones towards the end; having laughed with the characters makes the later scenes even more moving. It may be an old trick, but it works admirably here.
All of the lead actresses are very good. Dolly Parton, in particular, just oozes southern charm here--and is a convincing small-town hair stylist. Shirley MacLaine and Olympia Dukakis, as Ouiser and Clairee, are the best. They both capture their characters' true natures, and they play off each other beautifully. Their deliveries are flawless--important since they have many of the film's comic lines. They both have strong presences on screen, and MacLaine and Dukakis are a big part of the film's success.
"Steel Magnolias" also has some other nice touches. For instance, in one scene, after a death in the family, the entire family is filmed in shadows. Then, at the Christmas festival, the filmmakers chose to play "Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland"--ironic, since the setting isn't that cold.
The movie adaptation of "Steel Magnolias" does lose some of the tight-knit feel the play has. The play has only six characters (all women) and one set, which helps to reinforce the close friendship of the women. The greater expanse of the film undermines this somewhat; on the other hand, the film does get one of the funniest movie sequences in return.
There isn't too much to be concerned about with children and this movie. There is a fairly dramatic (though non-violent) death scene, one shot showing numerous condoms taped to a car, and some strong language. While the PG rating is reasonable, I imagine that children, especially younger children would lose patience with "Steel Magnolias" during the serious scenes. It's not intended for children.
Many people complain that Hollywood doesn't make nice films anymore. There may be fewer such films now, but "Steel Magnolias" is definitely one of them. It's about nice people, and is amusing and moving. Even more importantly, it is very entertaining. "Steel Magnolias" may be the title, but this movie is pure gold.
Note: If you want to see the play "Steel Magnolias" for comparison, and live in the Jacksonville area, the Alhambra dinner theater is doing it in the summer of 2000. The last time they did it, they did an excellent job.
Title: "Steel Magnolias"
Release date: 1989
MPAA rating: PG
Overall rating: ****
Overall rating: ****
Aprox. run time: 119 min.
Director: Herbert Ross
Writers: Robert Harling (play and screenplay)
Stars: Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis, Julia Roberts
Original URL: http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Mansion/7045/SteelMag.htm
Added to blog site: 8/5/09
Director: Herbert Ross
Writers: Robert Harling (play and screenplay)
Stars: Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis, Julia Roberts
Original URL: http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Mansion/7045/SteelMag.htm
Added to blog site: 8/5/09
Labels: Movie review, ReviewsbyJohn
posted by John at 12/21/1999 11:46:00 PM
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