2023 Blind Spot Series: Steel Magnolias
We're starting off the 2023 Blind Spot Series on a lighthearted note. This is one of those movies I hadn't put a ton of thought into until many started mentioning it during a previous Thursday Movie Picks theme. Then I felt like the only person who missed it.
I thought this was really fun. Dolly Parton brings a lot of sweetness to it. I love when she tells Sally Field that she has a rule that no one cries alone in her presence. Shirley MacClaine is hilarious as Ouiser. Darryl Hannah's character took a turn I didn't expect, but the biggest part of the story is between mother and daughter, played by Sally Field and Julia Roberts. That's where all the drama comes in.
This made for a good afternoon watch. It starts on a positive note, pivots to something more devastating but brings us back to something hopeful. All the women involved give great performances and it was a joy to watch.
Grade: B
I haven’t seen this too, but it got added to Netflix recently so I’ve added it to my to-watch list.
ReplyDeleteNice! Definitely worth a watch.
DeleteIt's a good movie which is xalled a chicken flick but this has more depth. I love Olympia Dukakis and Shirley MacLaine' banter. Julia was Oscar nominated but I'm not sure why as the others were better. Overall a fun film
ReplyDeleteI'm also a bit surprised that Julia was the one singled out for this film. I suppose she did have the most dramatic character arc, and she was very good.
DeleteAs you know I LOVE this movie!!
ReplyDeleteAll the women are on their A game and work extremely well together. Shirley and Olympia Dukakis are marvelous sparring partners. Daryl Hannah, whom I'm not always that fond of, buys into Annelle's quirkiness balancing her naivete and gullibility without going overboard. Dolly is a dream as Truvy, sweet and motherly but not above good-natured gossip. Julia Roberts is fresh and vibrant handling Shelby's determination to live her life on her terms with assurity but the movie's anchor is Sally Field. True M'Lynn is the character who gets to do the most heavy lifting dramatically but Sally's up to the task. Her big cemetery meltdown is justly lauded but what always gets me is the small moment when Shelby & Jackson are leaving the reception and everyone is on the porch waving goodbye with big smiles including M'Lynn but then suddenly her smile breaks and a thousand emotions run across her face. It's one of the beautiful small moments that Sally handles expertly.
The movie also has some great dialogue which transferred from the stage play. Speaking of the stage play, it was highly enjoyable but much more constrained taking place in Truvy's beauty shop in its entirety. The movie makers did a terrific job of opening up the play while keeping the tight camaraderie of the women intact. I've seen it countless times.
I could see this being an easy re-watch. That's interesting to hear the play is in Truvy's shop the entire time. It seems so much "bigger" than that on film. Shirley and Dolly were my favorites.
DeleteIt's very much an opened up story from the play. One major addition is all of the male characters in the film, they are only mentioned in passing on stage. Shelby's role is also expanded quite a bit since many of her major scenes, the wedding, hospital etc., are only referenced.
DeleteTo Birgit's question of why Julia Roberts was singled out over the others I think it was a case of her being white hot at the time (her follow-up film to this was the megahit Pretty Woman) which was raking in the dollars around nomination time. It's not a terrible nomination, she's quite good as Shelby, but I agree that she's not the best in show. To me that's Sally but it's really an ensemble piece.
That makes sense. I didn't consider what else was coming out at the time.
DeleteShirley MacLaine and Dolly Parton is what made the film for me as it's just an alright film.
ReplyDeleteDolly Parton might be the sweetest thing that exists on Earth.
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