A rare occurrence is a film that has all the ingredients. It has the acting. The comedy. The drama. The settings. The ups and the downs. If you were asked to put all of them together, and think of a film, the variety is very few. But, from time to time there’s magic on the screen, and there’s a film made that everybody can love and enjoy, and it can make you look at life. To me, one of those films is Steel Magnolias.

Firstly, let me talk to you about the name of the film. Some films names are very unimportant and tell you very little about the film. For instance - nine to five. That name tells you very little about what the film is actually about. Steel Magnolias has an actual meaning to its name. “Steel” represents how strong the women are, and “Magnolias” are flowers that you can find in the South of U.S.A., and represent the women in the film, therefore translated, Steel Magnolias is “Strong Women Of The South.”!

Not only does it have an amazing story, but also it actually has a wonderful cast. With six lead characters, all being women, it’s difficult to think of six, let alone get six actresses that fit the part perfectly. All six being totally different, but that is what creates the magic on the screen. The fact that all these women are different, yet get along so well, and love each other so much.

~~The Plot~~

There are six main characters in Steel Magnolias, but each are as important as the other, therefore I can’t tell you about some and not the others, so I’ll try and go about it easily so you can absorb it all! Firstly, I should make out that Steel Magnolias doesn’t have much of a plot. Its story is rather lacking, but yet still slips along well. Rather than dealing with one big issue, the film deals with many that combine all the women’s attitude to life, and shows their independence and greatness!

The film begins with a very shy girl – Annelle (Daryl Hannah) walking in a neighbourhood looking for a certain address. From the start her character is labelled as coy before she even opens her mouth. She wears glasses, isn’t dressed very flirtatiously, and her muscles seem very intense. The shot then turns to a plank outside one of the houses – “Truvy’s Salon”. It then becomes obvious that the girl has found the address on her piece of paper.

Rather than actually telling you about different things in all of the women’s lives straight away, it brings all the things together gradually, and within half an hour of the film you know more about the women than they do themselves! Truvy (Dolly Parton) is the owner of the local salon, and her neighbours M’Lynn (Sally Field), and M’Lynn’s daughter Shelby (Julia Roberts) often go round for a natter. Their two other gal pals are miserable Ouiser (Shirley MacLaine), and the late Mayor’s wife Claree (Olympia Dukakis).

On the day that new arrival – Annelle – joins the group, also happens to be Shelby’s wedding day. Annelle is applying for a job as a stylist along with Truvy in her shop, and luckily gets the job. The Louisiana gals are chewing the fat more than a piranha does with a helpless victim within a few minutes, and we get to learn a few home truths about them! Shelby, the bride, within minutes is having an attack from lack on insulin. She’s a diabetic.

It strikes you how bad her condition is for it to occur so suddenly, and the care of a Mother, and worry from friends come across suddenly as well. It’s pretty sad in a way, because their characters are shown to you on a plate from the start, and you realise that Shelby is such a strong character and doesn’t want to be fussed over.

The mini dramas are, on-the-edge-of-your-seat drama, and there are comedy laugh-out-loud-laughs from the start. The story of independent women couldn’t be better! And when Shelby falls pregnant, after being advised a baby could damage her health, all the girls step back and look at their lives, and appreciate it for what it is. As you will you when you see the film.

~~Performances~~

Roberts received an Oscar nomination for her performance in the film, and Steel Magnolias was a big hit all round that year in the Oscars. But, to me, who gets the vote for the funniest performance not only in the film, but also in movie history, goes to Shirley MacLaine. Her portrayal of miserable-yet-lonely Ouiser is classic, and you got more laughs off her than you do from all of the characters in any other comedy film.

Also strong in the film is Dolly Parton. Parton hadn’t starred in many roles previously, but her performance in the film was wonderful as the optimistic Truvy. Truvy was suffering marital difficulties with her husband, and just like her motto “There is no such thing as natural beauty! I have to work to look this good!” she also has to work to put on a front emotionally. It’s rather sad because she appears to be the strongest out of all six, but she might well be one of the weakest. Parton plays that superbly.

Darryl Hannah’s character changes throughout the film. We learn about the Louisiana girls as she does, because she’s new, so there’s a link and connection with her and us throughout the film. Annelle would probably be the character you least like, because she can be very judgemental, but in actual fact she very level headed, and gives good advice.

Olympia Dukakis is very funny in her way as well. Her and Ouiser are best friends, and although it isn’t confirmed they probably went to school together, and are the best of friends, yet love to pretend to hate each other. The two of them together make most of the laughs, and are pure entertainment.

Sally Field is her usual successful self, and her accent is the best out of all of the others putting it one. She plays the worrying-yet-caring Mother well, and you can’t fault her acting one bit. Her and Julia Roberts relationship is a touching one, and you can’t help but really be touched by their love and closeness for each other.

I must point out that 5 out of 6 (Not Dolly Parton) had to put on an accent for the movie, and did it successfully and well.

~~All in all~~

Love. That’s what the message is in this film. Love each other because no matter who you are, or where you are, it’s important and can’t be helped. Don’t push it away, because it won’t go away. Love, and independence of women, and how strong some can be. Strong women Of the South; Steel Magnolias.

If you’re interested in buying the movie, it’s available both on VHS & DVD from Amazon. The VHS costing £5.99 and the DVD £15.99. And you can’t get fairer than that, can you?

Written By: Matt Roberts