STEEL MAGNOLIAS (1989): An Emotional Review

Introduction

Dripping with Southern charm, the dramedy Steel Magnolias (1989) has remained a beloved household favorite through the decades. Written by Robert Harling as a play before he adapted his work for film, the gorgeous script was given to experienced director, Herbert Ross. With a spot-on cast whose performances maintain a freshness rare in older films, it’s a film that can never be called a relic. Even after dozens of viewings, Steel Magnolias is thoroughly rewatchable.

The movie is lucky to have the perfect trifecta of talent, a solid writer, a director, and a dazzling cast. Robert Harling, who also penned Soapdish (1991) and The First Wives Club (1996), has a knack for crafting quirky ensemble stories that are full of energy.

Herbert Ross, as director, led the talented team with plenty of experience. He also directed Footloose (1984), My Blue Heaven (1990), and later, Boys on the Side (1995). In this collaboration of talent, we are gifted with a slice-of-life story and a 1989-time capsule of the cinematic portrayal of the American South, complete with lavish costume and set design. It’s decadent, colorful, and just lovely!

Leading Ladies

Academy Award winner Sally Field, who plays M’Lynn Eatenton, leads the star-studded ensemble. She is the central character who carries the emotional weight of the film. And despite the abundant frivolity and hilarious antics of her fellow characters, the film is heavy with rich, emotional undertones. Her gravitas is matched beautifully by Julia Roberts, who plays her early twenty-something daughter, Shelby. Roberts was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the Academy Awards and won a Best Supporting Actress Golden Globe for her performance.

The mother-daughter relationship between these two characters is the spine of Steel Magnolias. The M’Lynn and Shelby arc forms a powerful and poignant viewing experience. It’s surprising how deeply this film affects viewers as many go into it thinking it is a cheesy classic. It isn’t that. Shelby’s character was inspired by Harling’s own sister who also died young due to complications with diabetes. Steel Magnolias packs a wallop and has brought many a tough soul to tears.

Unique to the film is its ability to interject humor right when you need it the most. At one point, Truvy says “Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion.” Steel Magnolias captures this perfectly. You will find yourself chuckling within seconds of heart-wrenching scenes. It’s amazing and cathartic. This experience is one of the facets that keep this movie fresh and deliciously rewatchable despite the super sad elements.

Gal Pals

Bringing in those giggles and levity, are the supporting actresses. Dolly Parton throws in her endless charm as Truvy Jones, the women’s hair stylist, and friend. Shirley MacLaine brings her edgy charisma as Ouiser Boudreaux, the sharp-tongued, eccentric widow that the town loves to hate. Olympia Dukakis depicts a playful socialite Clairee Belcher. She’s Ouiser’s adoring frenemy and fellow well-off widow. Completing the circle of main characters is Daryl Hannah as Annelle Dupuy Desoto. She’s a beauty school graduate who Truvy hires for her growing business and the newest member of the group of friends.

Synopsis

Steel Magnolias opens with the hustle and bustle of Shelby’s wedding day. We are introduced to the central characters M’Lynn and Shelby. M’Lynn is buzzing about her home, frantically tending to the endless details of a large traditional wedding. The champagne glasses have shipped shattered, her two unruly sons play pranks amidst the chaos, and her husband Drum, played by Tom Skerritt is causing a ruckus by shooting his gun into the trees. Shelby sweeps into the scene complaining that her pink nail polish is too dark. “It has to be delicate,” she whines.

The pragmatic M’Lynn is holding everything together despite her family working against her in earnest. Her home is a whirlwind of activity and she is the only one keeping things in order. It’s a funny and dynamic sequence. And in these few minutes, we learn that M’Lynn is strong and capable. Shelby is particular and driven. Drum is well-meaning but ultimately misguided in his efforts. He’s more of a thorn in M’Lynn’s side.

Ouiser enters the story with her crazed dog, coming to yell at Drum for disturbing the neighborhood. To avoid confrontation, M’Lynn and Shelby make their escape to Truvy’s. Once there, we soak in the dynamics of the ensemble cast.

Ensemble Energy

The women chatter happily in the hair salon, setting the tone for most of the group scenes. Truvy is a ray of sunshine and a quintessential role for Dolly Parton. Although she has a mischievous love of gossip, she always means well. As the breadwinner of her household, Truvy suffers a dead-beat husband and a freeloading son. Clairee is gracious, elegant, and always willing to indulge in gossip as well. She is the only character who was truly fulfilled in her marriage while her husband was alive. His death has left her nostalgic, but she is doing just fine. Annelle is shy and unsure, being new to town. She is also homeless and broke.

Trouble Ahead

Once the chatter relaxes the audience into content amusement, the scene takes a dramatic turn. Shelby surprises the ladies by sharing that she and her fiancé, Jackson, played by Dylan McDermott are already experiencing friction. Shortly after this confession, Shelby has a diabetic seizure. As M’Lynn quickly takes command, we witness another important dynamic between mother and daughter. Shelby needs special care and somebody with a tender but firm hand who can guide her through a seizure. M’Lynn is a practiced natural at managing the dangerous situation but will Jackson care for Shelby this way?

This information combined with the knowledge that she is marrying a man from “a good old southern family, with good old southern values. They either shoot it, stuff it or marry it” all point to trouble ahead for Shelby.

Once the ladies are coiffed and heading back to wedding preparations, Ouiser enters the scene. She cuts through Annelle like a knife, forcing her to divulge her past. Annelle confesses that her husband abandoned her overnight to escape police capture, having stolen all her money and possibly lied about his identity. Ouiser nods and says, “Men are the most horrible creatures, honey. They will ruin your life.” She doesn’t mince words but her ire is not directed at the humble Annelle. And her nod and frank eye contact transmit acceptance and understanding. Shirley MacLaine is a supreme actress and her embodiment of this character is a joy to watch.

The wedding and reception commence with many laugh-out-loud moments. This is true of the entire film, with a few exceptions. You giggle frequently as our lovable characters interact within the small town of Chinquapin Parish, Louisiana, and each other.

Mixed Tidings

The story jumps to Christmas when Shelby comes home to visit. As M’Lynn is making egg nog (presumably, she’s cracking a TON of eggs), Shelby reveals that she is pregnant. This is the first of several heart-wrenching scenes to come. Shelby begs her mother for support as well as her understanding. Her medical condition disqualifies her as a candidate for adoption. Her only shot at motherhood is her ill-advised pregnancy. She mentions that having a baby “would help a lot,” indicating that there may be trouble in her young marriage. M’Lynn, defeated and oozing sadness simply says, “I see.” She recognizes that her beloved daughter has not escaped the status quo of the men in their lives. More on this later.

But for Shelby, it’s more than pleasing her husband. She wants to experience a full life, even if it proves to be a short one.  As she begs M’Lynn for support, fear shines in her eyes. There is no escaping the reality of her choice. She is gambling with her life for this baby and the odds are stacked against her. But M’Lynn is fighting for her own child. Her Shelby. At this moment, she is unable to give Shelby the response she desperately needs.

Drum announces Shelby’s “good” news at the Christmas party that follows.  All the guests rejoice. The gal pals are surprised by M’Lynn’s somber mood and gather around her in solidarity. Through their love and kind-hearted cajoling, M’Lynn accepts Shelby’s decision. The adoring women break M’Lynn’s tough shell and not for the last time.

M’Lynn to the Rescue

A year goes by, and we jump to the baby’s first birthday party. Afterward, Shelby and M’Lynn head to Truvy’s, and the gal pals have reunited again. As expected, Shelby’s health is failing, but once again, her mother comes to save the day by donating a kidney. M’Lynn has fully accepted her daughter’s journey and Shelby has lost much of her sparkle. She isn’t the only character that changes. The shy Annelle after blossoming under Truvy’s kind guidance has turned to Jesus as a hardcore Christian. Clairee and Ouiser are firmly established as besties. Only Truvy remains the same and continues to struggle with her idling husband.

Grab Some Tissues

Inevitably, the plot takes its sad turn as Shelby finally succumbs to her poor health and slips into a vegetative coma. M’Lynn enters the scene by pounding down the hospital hallway. This is one of my favorite scenes as it tells so much with zero dialogue. M’Lynn is hauling ass down that hallway to get to her daughter. Every step is full of intent. Stomp, stomp, stomp. Anger, fear, determination. Her body language and expression emote a clear message: She has come, determined to fight for and with Shelby, once again. But this time, she will lose the battle.

She doggedly stays by her daughter’s side for every moment until Shelby’s last breath. Your lips tremble along with M’Lynn’s as she holds Shelby’s hand. Together with her, you listen to her daughter’s heart slow and halt. M’Lynn unwaveringly holds strong for Shelby, even as Jackson and Drum are unable to witness Shelby’s passing.

Grab Some More Tissues

And still, the most dazzling moment is yet to come. Sally Field, petite and powerful, delivers one of the most brutal monologues of all time at Shelby’s funeral scene.  In the aftermath of Shelby’s funeral, M’Lynn is left standing alone at Shelby’s side. Now by her coffin, covered in Blush and Bashful colored flowers. Her husband notices her, but he is helpless to do anything for her. He turns his back. But M’Lynn needs rescuing, and her loving friends answer the call. They see M’Lynn and come together to support her.

In their presence, M’Lynn’s emotional dam finally breaks, and she unleashes a storm of emotion. Along with Clairee, Annelle, Truvy, and Ouiser, we bear witness to the sheer pain and rage of a woman who has witnessed the death of her young daughter. It’s impressive and phenomenal. If you make it through this scene without a sob threatening to choke you, perhaps take your pulse.

I’ve introduced many people to Steel Magnolias, and none has weathered this sequence without shedding a fat set of tears. It’s a truly beautiful performance by Field. When M’Lynn approaches her absolute breaking point, a clever turn by Clairee T-bones the grief with surprising humor. It saves M’Lynn from the abyss of despair and leaves them all laughing together. That’s what friends are for, after all.

Girl Power

While there are many gal pal movies that abound, Steel Magnolias shines brighter than most by a long shot. The cast famously adored each other on set, which lent to the deep chemistry of their characters. Along with the levity, Clairee, Ouiser, Annelle, and Truvy do bring depth to the story. But their message is more powerful as a collective.

All the women in Steel Magnolias, are deeply disappointed by the men they each marry. Either due to abandonment, bad marriages, neglect, resentment, or death, these women gain little from their partners. And yet with each other, the women find joy, comfort, and legitimate validation.

The feminist undercurrent of the movie is indicative of the plight of Southern women in the 1980s. Despite them being wealthy, white women of privilege, they face a chasm apart from their spouses. It manifests differently for each character but boils down to the same message: Women do the heavy lifting in life, while men fumble within their myopic scope and privilege.

That is not to say that the movie condemns men altogether. There are good men in Steel Magnolias. Drum, M’Lynn’s husband, is an interesting example. He doesn’t seem to be negligent or useless. He means well but is a mismatch for stubborn M’Lynn. His efforts always miss the mark and M’Lynn doesn’t give him an inch. He can’t hold a candle to her love for Shelby and has no idea how to meet his strong wife at her level.

Annelle eventually marries a much better man, Danny Desoto played by Kevin J. O’Connor, but he struggles to keep up with her new-found Christian fanaticism. Only Truvy seems to be able to soften Annelle’s fervor. Truvy’s husband also eventually comes around. The movie touts a nice, neat happy ending, so it would be sad to think joyful Truvy never receives the love she deserves from her husband. We are asked to believe that he changes for the better and that’s fine. It’s a bit of lip service, but we’ll take it.

Though this disconnect between the sexes is a feminist message, it is not one that points out any kind of systemic issue or calls to action. This isn’t a Rosemary’s Baby (1968) sort of reflection of a major crisis in women’s rights. Instead, it focuses on the intimate slice-of-life point of view of these women. Collectively, there is a message, but it isn’t one to weigh down the gorgeous charm of Steel Magnolias. For those reading this review who are wary and weary of hard messaging in films, rest assured you’ll come out refreshed from a viewing.

In Conclusion

The movie opens with the chaos of wedding day preparations. And it closes with the whimsical chaos of the now very pregnant Annelle going into labor at a community Easter Egg hunt. She is whisked off to the hospital with Truvy. Her husband is the Easter Bunny at the event and must be fetched. He hops onto Truvy’s son’s motorcycle in a full bunny costume, and they rush to the hospital. The camera zooms out as the credits start rolling. It’s all very dramatic and cute. Humor is the punchline to all the emotional scenes in Steel Magnolias and that’s just perfect.

Life will be sad, and grief is an inevitability of this world. But friendship and humor can save us and redeem us when you find your people. For M’Lynn, her lady friends are her people. This is what Steel Magnolias is all about. And with such clever filmmaking and marvelous talent at its core movies like this can comfort us for a lifetime. Now, go watch this movie immediately with your own people and tell them you love them “more than your luggage.”

Steel Magnolias is currently streaming on Netflix.

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