Jump to content

Steel Magnolias: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
 
(60 intermediate revisions by 39 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|1989 American comedy-drama film}}
{{Short description|1989 film by Herbert Ross}}
{{Distinguish|Magnolia (film){{!}}''Magnolia'' (film)|Sweet Magnolias}}
{{Hatnote group|{{Distinguish|Magnolia (film){{!}}''Magnolia'' (film)|Sweet Magnolias{{!}}''Sweet Magnolias''}}{{Other uses}}}}
{{other uses}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
Line 8: Line 7:
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Herbert Ross]]
| director = [[Herbert Ross]]
| producer = [[Ray Stark]]<br />Andrew Stone<br />Victoria White
| screenplay = [[Robert Harling (writer)|Robert Harling]]
| screenplay = [[Robert Harling (writer)|Robert Harling]]
| based_on = {{based on|''[[Steel Magnolias (play)|Steel Magnolias]]''|Robert Harling}}
| based_on = {{based on|''[[Steel Magnolias (play)|Steel Magnolias]]''|Robert Harling}}
| producer = [[Ray Stark]]<!-- Do NOT add executive or associate producers -->
| starring = {{Plainlist|
| starring = {{Plainlist|
* [[Sally Field]]
* [[Sally Field]]
Line 21: Line 20:
* [[Dylan McDermott]]
* [[Dylan McDermott]]
* [[Kevin J. O'Connor (actor)|Kevin J. O'Connor]]
* [[Kevin J. O'Connor (actor)|Kevin J. O'Connor]]
* [[Sam Shepard]]}}
* [[Sam Shepard]]
}}
| music = [[Georges Delerue]]
| cinematography = [[John A. Alonzo]]
| cinematography = [[John A. Alonzo]]
| editing = [[Paul Hirsch (film editor)|Paul Hirsch]]
| editing = [[Paul Hirsch (film editor)|Paul Hirsch]]
| music = [[Georges Delerue]]
| studio = [[Rastar]]
| studio = [[Rastar]]
| distributor = [[TriStar Pictures|Tri-Star Pictures]]
| distributor = [[TriStar Pictures|Tri-Star Pictures]]
| released = {{Film date|1989|11|15}}
| released = {{Film date|1989|11|15}}
| runtime = 118 minutes
| runtime = 118 minutes<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098384/|title=Steel Magnolias (1989)|author=Lechuguilla|date=November 22, 1989|work=IMDb}}</ref>
| country = United States
| country = United States
| language = English
| language = English
| budget = $15 million<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pro.imdb.com/title/tt0098384?ref_=mojo_tt_summary&rf=mojo_tt_summary|title=Steel Magnolias - Production and Contact Info|publisher=[[Internet Movie Database|IMDb]]|access-date=October 25, 2019}}</ref>
| budget = $15 million<ref name="afi">{{cite web |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/58302 |title=Steel Magnolias (1989) – History |website=[[AFI Catalog of Feature Films]] |access-date=February 21, 2024}}</ref>
| gross = $96.8&nbsp;million<ref>{{cite web
| gross = $96.8&nbsp;million<ref name="mojo">{{cite web | title = Steel Magnolias (1989) | website = [[Box Office Mojo]] | url = https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0098384/ | access-date = October 25, 2019}}</ref>
| title = Steel Magnolias at Box Office Mojo
| url = https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0098384/
| access-date = October 25, 2019}}</ref>
}}
}}


'''''Steel Magnolias''''' is a 1989 American [[Comedy drama|comedy-drama film]] directed by [[Herbert Ross]] and starring Academy Award winners [[Sally Field]], [[Shirley MacLaine]], and [[Olympia Dukakis]] with [[Dolly Parton]], [[Daryl Hannah]], and [[Julia Roberts]].<ref>{{Citation |last=Ross |first=Herbert |title=Steel Magnolias |date=1989-11-22 |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098384/ |type=Comedy, Drama, Romance |publisher=TriStar Pictures, Rastar Films |access-date=2023-01-12}}</ref> The film is a [[film adaptation]] of [[Robert Harling (writer)|Robert Harling]]'s [[Steel Magnolias (play)|1987 play of the same name]] about the bond a group of women share in a small-town [[Southern United States|Southern]] community, and how they cope with the death of one of their own. The supporting cast features [[Tom Skerritt]], [[Dylan McDermott]], [[Sam Shepard]] and [[Kevin J. O'Connor (actor)|Kevin J. O'Connor]].
'''''Steel Magnolias''''' is a 1989 American [[comedy drama]] film directed by [[Herbert Ross]] and starring [[Sally Field]], [[Dolly Parton]], [[Shirley MacLaine]], [[Daryl Hannah]], [[Olympia Dukakis]], and [[Julia Roberts]]. The screenplay by [[Robert Harling (writer)|Robert Harling]] is based on his 1987 [[Steel Magnolias (play)|play of the same name]] about the bond a group of women share in a small-town [[Southern United States|Southern]] community, and how they cope with the death of one of their own. The supporting cast features [[Tom Skerritt]], [[Dylan McDermott]], [[Kevin J. O'Connor (actor)|Kevin J. O'Connor]], and [[Sam Shepard]].


[[Robert Harling (writer)|Robert Harling]] based the story in part on his sister, Susan Harling Robinson. She died in 1985 of complications from [[Type 1 diabetes]]. In the film, Julia Roberts plays Shelby, the character based on Susan.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.southernliving.com/culture/steel-magnolias-movie-facts| title = Things Even Die-Hard Steel Magnolias Fans Probably Don't Know About the Classic {{!}} Southern Living}}</ref>
Harling based the story in part on his sister, Susan Harling Robinson, who died in 1985 of complications from [[type 1 diabetes]]. In the film, Roberts plays Shelby, the character based on Susan.<ref name="Locker">{{cite magazine |last=Locker |first=Melissa |url=https://www.southernliving.com/culture/steel-magnolias-movie-facts |title=17 Facts About 'Steel Magnolias' Even Die-Hard Fans Don't Know |magazine=[[Southern Living]] |date=April 11, 2023}}</ref>


==Plot==
==Plot==
Annelle Dupuy ([[Daryl Hannah]]), a shy beauty school graduate, moves to Chinquapin [[Louisiana#Administrative_divisions|Parish]] in northwestern [[Louisiana]], where Truvy Jones ([[Dolly Parton]]) hires her to work in her home-based beauty salon.
Annelle Dupuy, a shy beauty school graduate, moves to Chinquapin [[Louisiana#Administrative divisions|Parish]] in northwestern [[Louisiana]], where Truvy Jones hires her to work in her home-based beauty salon.


Meanwhile, M'Lynn Eatenton ([[Sally Field]]) and her daughter, Shelby ([[Julia Roberts]]), busily prepare for Shelby's wedding that is being held later that day. M'Lynn's husband Drum Eatenton ([[Tom Skerritt]]) first uses a gun to get rid of the birds in the trees so they don't ruin Shelby's reception. M'Lynn hides the gun when Drum goes to the restroom, so he ends up using a few arrows and a bow with firecrackers attached to them to get rid of the birds. Along with Clairee Belcher ([[Olympia Dukakis]])—the former mayor's cheerful widow—they arrive at Truvy's to have their hair done. While there, Shelby, who has [[Type 1 diabetes]], suffers a [[hypoglycemia|hypoglycemic]] attack, but recovers quickly with the women's help. M'Lynn reveals that due to Shelby's medical condition, her doctor advises against her having children. Shelby considered ending her engagement to her fiancé, Jackson, so he would not be deprived of children.
Meanwhile, M'Lynn Eatenton and her daughter, Shelby, busily prepare for Shelby's wedding that is being held later that day. M'Lynn's insufferable husband, Drum Eatenton, uses a gun to drive birds out of the trees so they do not interfere with Shelby's reception. Along with Clairee Belcher, the former mayor's cheerful widow, they arrive at Truvy's to have their hair done. While there, Shelby, who has [[type 1 diabetes]], suffers a [[Hypoglycemia|hypoglycemic]] attack, but recovers quickly with the women's help. M'Lynn reveals that due to Shelby's medical condition, her doctor advises against her having children. Shelby considered ending her engagement to her fiancé, Jackson, so he would not be deprived of children.


Grouchy and sarcastic Louisa "Ouiser" Boudreaux ([[Shirley MacLaine]]) arrives at the salon and immediately begins interrogating Annelle about her background. Annelle tearfully reveals that her no-good husband, Bunkie, is evading the police and has taken all their money, her clothes and jewelry, and the car. Annelle further admits she is unsure her marriage is legal. Shelby, sympathetic, invites Annelle to the wedding reception where she meets bartender Sammy DeSoto ([[Kevin J. O'Connor (actor)|Kevin J. O'Conner]]). At the Christmas festival later that year, Annelle, following a short-lived wild streak, becomes deeply religious, annoying everyone, including Sammy. And Shelby finds out that Clairee bought the radio station KKPD.
Grouchy and sarcastic Louisa "Ouiser" Boudreaux arrives at the salon and immediately begins interrogating Annelle about her background. Annelle tearfully reveals that her husband, who is evading the police, has disappeared after stealing her money, belongings, and car. Annelle further admits she is unsure her marriage is legal. Shelby, sympathetic, invites Annelle to the wedding reception, where she meets bartender Sammy DeSoto. At the Christmas festival later that year, Annelle, following a short-lived wild streak, has become a devout Christian, much to Sammy's annoyance, while Clairee has bought local radio station KPPD.


During the Christmas holidays, Shelby announces she is pregnant. Everyone is thrilled except M’Lynn, who knows the risks. Truvy encourages M'Lynn to instead focus on the joy a new baby brings.
During the Christmas holidays, Shelby announces she is pregnant. Everyone is thrilled except M'Lynn, who knows the risks. Truvy encourages M'Lynn to instead focus on the joy a new baby brings.


Shelby has a baby boy and names him Jackson Latcherie Jr., but soon develops kidney failure requiring regular [[Kidney dialysis|dialysis]]. Around Jackson Jr.'s first birthday, Shelby undergoes a successful transplant with M'Lynn's donated kidney. Shelby recovers, but four months later, Jackson arrives home to find her unconscious. Shelby is comatose, having contracted an infection in her central nervous system due to the suppressive therapy that keeps her body from rejecting the kidney. After doctors determine Shelby's condition is irreversible, the family jointly decide to remove her from life support and her husband Jackson ([[Dylan McDermott]]) is seen signing the papers removing Shelby from life support. Shortly after Shelby's death, M'Lynn leaves the hospital and goes to Jackson's aunt Fern's house to pick up her grandson.
Shelby has a baby boy and names him Jackson Latcherie Jr., but soon develops kidney failure requiring regular [[Kidney dialysis|dialysis]]. Around Jackson Jr.'s first birthday, Shelby undergoes a successful transplant with M'Lynn's donated kidney. Shelby recovers, but four months later, Jackson arrives home to find her unconscious. Shelby is comatose, having contracted an infection in her central nervous system due to the suppressive therapy that keeps her body from rejecting the kidney. After doctors determine Shelby's condition is irreversible, the family jointly decide to remove her from life support, with Jackson signing the papers to consent. Shortly after Shelby's death, M'Lynn leaves the hospital and goes to Jackson's aunt Fern's house to pick up her grandson.


After the funeral, Jackson is seen walking to the family car with his parents beside him and Shelby's brothers Tommy ([[Knowl Johnson]]) and Johnathan ([[Jonathan Ward (actor)|Johnathan Ward]]) are seen walking to their car. Shortly after that, M'Lynn starts breaking down, but the other women comfort her. M'Lynn gradually accepts her daughter's decision to have risked her life in return for a few special years of motherhood and decides to focus her energy on helping Jackson with raising her grandson. Annelle who married Sammy and is now pregnant, tells M'Lynn she wants to name her own baby after Shelby, even if the baby turns out to be a boy as she was the reason Annelle and Sammy met. M'Lynn approves, stating, "Life goes on."
After the funeral, M'Lynn breaks down in tears, and the other women comfort her. M'Lynn gradually accepts her daughter's decision to have risked her life in return for a few special years of motherhood and decides to focus her energy on helping Jackson with raising her grandson. Annelle, who married Sammy and is now pregnant, tells M'Lynn she wants to name her own baby after Shelby, even if the baby turns out to be a boy, as she was the reason Annelle and Sammy met. M'Lynn approves, stating, "Life goes on."


At the town's Easter egg hunt, Annelle goes into labor and is rushed to the hospital by Truvy and her husband Spud in their truck followed by Sammy in an Easter Bunny costume and Truvy and Spud's son Louie on Louie's motorcycle and another life begins.
At the town's Easter egg hunt, Annelle goes into labor and is rushed to the hospital by Truvy and her husband Spud in their truck, followed by Sammy in an Easter Bunny costume and Truvy and Spud's son Louie on Louie's motorcycle.


==Cast==
==Cast==
Line 62: Line 59:
!width=20%|Actor
!width=20%|Actor
!width=20%|Character
!width=20%|Character
!width=60%|Character description
!width=60%|Description
|-
|-
| [[Sally Field]]
| [[Sally Field]]
| M'Lynn Eatenton
| M'Lynn Eatenton
| Social worker; wife to Drum Eatenton; mother to Shelby, Jonathan and Tommy; Jackson's mother-in-law; Jack Jr.'s maternal grandmother
| Social worker; wife to Drum; mother to Shelby, Jonathan and Tommy; Jackson's mother-in-law; Jack Jr.'s maternal grandmother
|-
|-
| [[Dolly Parton]]
| [[Dolly Parton]]
Line 74: Line 71:
| [[Shirley MacLaine]]
| [[Shirley MacLaine]]
| Louisa "Ouiser" Boudreaux
| Louisa "Ouiser" Boudreaux
| Clairee Belcher's best friend and confidante; Eatenton family's next-door neighbor; town grouch; Drum Eatenton's nemesis
| Clairee Belcher's best friend and confidante; Eatenton family's next-door neighbor; town grouch; Drum's nemesis
|-
|-
| [[Daryl Hannah]]
| [[Daryl Hannah]]
Line 86: Line 83:
| [[Julia Roberts]]
| [[Julia Roberts]]
| Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie
| Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie
| Eldest child and only daughter of Drum and M'Lynn Eatenton; sister to Jonathan and Tommy; marries Jackson Latcherie and gives birth to Jack Latcherie Jr.; suffers from type one diabetes
| Eldest child and only daughter of Drum and M'Lynn; sister to Jonathan and Tommy; marries Jackson and gives birth to Jack Jr.; suffers from type 1 diabetes
|-
|-
| [[Tom Skerritt]]
| [[Tom Skerritt]]
| Drum Eatenton
| Drum Eatenton
| Husband of M'Lynn Eatenton; father to Shelby, Jonathan, and Tommy; Jackson Latcherie's father-in-law; Jack Jr.'s maternal grandfather
| Husband of M'Lynn; father to Shelby, Jonathan, and Tommy; Jackson Latcherie's father-in-law; Jack Jr.'s maternal grandfather
|-
|-
| [[Sam Shepard]]
| [[Sam Shepard]]
| Spud Jones
| Spud Jones
| Sporadically employed laborer; Truvy Jones's husband and Louie's father
| Sporadically employed laborer; Truvy's husband and Louie's father
|-
|-
| [[Dylan McDermott]]
| [[Dylan McDermott]]
| Jackson Latcherie
| Jackson Latcherie
| Lawyer; Shelby Eatenton's husband; Jack Jr.'s father; Drum and M'Lynn's son-in-law and Jonathan and Tommy's brother-in-law
| Lawyer; Shelby's husband; Jack Jr.'s father; Drum and M'Lynn's son-in-law and Jonathan and Tommy's brother-in-law
|-
|-
| [[Kevin J. O'Connor (actor)|Kevin J. O'Connor]]
| [[Kevin J. O'Connor (actor)|Kevin J. O'Connor]]
| Sammy DeSoto
| Sammy DeSoto
| Annelle Dupuy's eventual husband, who met her at Shelby and Jackson's wedding reception
| Annelle's eventual husband, who met her at Shelby and Jackson's wedding reception
|-
|-
| [[Bill McCutcheon]]
| [[Bill McCutcheon]]
| Owen Jenkins
| Owen Jenkins
| Ouiser Boudreaux's former boyfriend who recently returned to town
| Ouiser's former boyfriend who recently returned to town
|-
|-
| [[Ann Wedgeworth]]
| [[Ann Wedgeworth]]
| Fern Thornton
| Fern Thornton
| Jackson Latcherie's aunt; her specialty is baking animal-shaped cakes
| Jackson's aunt; her specialty is baking animal-shaped cakes
|-
|-
| [[Knowl Johnson]]
| [[Knowl Johnson]]
| Tommy Eatenton
| Tommy Eatenton
| Drum and M'Lynn Eatenton's first-born son and middle child; Shelby and Jonathan's brother; Jackson's brother-in-law; Jack Jr.'s maternal uncle
| Drum and M'Lynn's first-born son and middle child; Shelby and Jonathan's brother; Jackson's brother-in-law; Jack Jr.'s maternal uncle
|-
|-
| [[Jonathan Ward (actor)|Jonathan Ward]]
| [[Jonathan Ward (actor)|Jonathan Ward]]
| Jonathan Eatenton
| Jonathan Eatenton
| Drum and M'Lynn Eatenton's second-born son and youngest child; Shelby and Tommy's brother; Jackson's brother-in-law; Jack Jr.'s maternal uncle
| Drum and M'Lynn's second-born son and youngest child; Shelby and Tommy's brother; Jackson's brother-in-law; Jack Jr.'s maternal uncle
|-
| Ronald Young
| Drew Marmillion
| Clairee Belcher's brother; husband to Belle Marmillion; father to Marshall and Nancy Beth
|-
|-
| [[Bibi Besch]]
| [[Bibi Besch]]
| Belle Marmillion
| Belle Marmillion
| Drew Marmillion's wife; mother to Marshall and NancyBeth; Clairee Belcher's sister-in-law
| Drew's wife; mother to Marshall and Nancy Beth; Clairee's sister-in-law
|-
|-
| [[Janine Turner]]
| [[Janine Turner]]
| Nancy Beth Marmillion
| Nancy Beth Marmillion
| Drew and Belle Marmillion's daughter; Marshall's sister; Clairee Belcher's niece; town's dethroned "Miss Merry Christmas"
| Drew and Belle's daughter; Marshall's sister; Clairee's niece; town's dethroned "Miss Merry Christmas"
|-
|-
| [[James Wlcek]]
| [[James Wlcek]]
| Marshall Marmillion
| Marshall Marmillion
| Drew and Belle Marmillion's son; Nancy Beth's brother; Clairee Belcher's nephew; announces to his parents he is gay
| Drew and Belle's son; Nancy Beth's brother; Clairee's nephew; announces to his parents he is gay
|-
| Ronald Young
| Drew Marmillion
| Clairee Belcher's brother; husband to Belle Marmillion; father to Marshall and Nancy Beth
|-
|-
| [[Tom Hodges (actor)|Tom Hodges]]
| [[Tom Hodges (actor)|Tom Hodges]]
| Louie Jones
| Louie Jones
| Truvy and Spud Jones's rebellious son
| Truvy and Spud's rebellious son
|-
|-
| C. Houser
| C. Houser
| Jackson Latcherie Jr. (1 year old)
| Jackson Latcherie Jr. (1 year old)
| rowspan="2"|Jackson and Shelby Latcherie's son; Drum and M'Lynn Eatenton's grandson; Jonathan and Tommy Eatenton's nephew
| rowspan="2"| Jackson and Shelby's son; Drum and M'Lynn's grandson; Jonathan and Tommy's nephew
|-
|-
| Daniel Camp
| Daniel Camp
Line 149: Line 146:
| Norman Fletcher
| Norman Fletcher
| Mr. Latcherie Sr.
| Mr. Latcherie Sr.
|Husband of Mrs. Latcherie Sr.; father of Jackson Latcherie Sr.; father-in-law of Shelby; paternal grandfather of Jack Jr.
| Husband of Mrs. Latcherie Sr.; father of Jackson Sr.; father-in-law of Shelby; paternal grandfather of Jack Jr.
|}
|}


Line 156: Line 153:


==Production==
==Production==
Released by [[TriStar Pictures]] in the United States on November 15, 1989, it grossed more than $83.7&nbsp;million at the [[box office]]. Harling's first produced screenplay, he adapted the original film script which was then heavily rewritten beyond the on-stage one-set scenario (which had taken place entirely in Truvy's beauty salon) of the stage production: the scenes increased and the sequence was more tightly linked with major holidays than the play; the increased characters beyond the original, all-female play cast caused dialogue changes between on-screen characters (among them, Harling plays the preacher and Truvy has one son instead of two). [[Natchitoches, Louisiana]] served as both the 1989 film location and scenario location<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098384/?ref_=ttspec_spec_tt|title=Steel Magnolias (1989)|author=Lechuguilla|date=November 22, 1989|work=IMDb}}</ref> with [[historian]] Robert DeBlieux, a former Natchitoches [[mayor]], as the local advisor.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bsllt.org/steel-magnolias/ |title=Steel Magnolias |publisher=Bay St. Louis Little Theatre |access-date=February 8, 2015}}</ref> The house where much of the film was shot is now a six-suite B&B, available for rent.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hornet.com/stories/steel-magnolias-house/|title=The Perfect Gaycation: A Weekend at the 'Steel Magnolias' House in Louisiana, Now a B&B|last=Horbelt|first=Stephan|date=2019-02-22|website=Hornet|language=en-US|access-date=2019-02-22}}</ref> The church used for a wedding scene is [[St. Augustine Catholic Church and Cemetery (Natchez, Louisiana)|St Augustine Catholic Church]] in Natchez.
Harling's first produced screenplay, he adapted the original film script which was then heavily rewritten beyond the on-stage one-set scenario (which had taken place entirely in Truvy's beauty salon) of the stage production: the scenes increased and the sequence was more tightly linked with major holidays than the play; the increased characters beyond the original, all-female play cast caused dialogue changes between on-screen characters (among them, Harling plays the preacher and Truvy has one son instead of two).
Filming took place from July 12, 1988, to early September 1988 in [[Natchitoches, Louisiana]],<ref name="afi"/> with [[historian]] Robert DeBlieux, a former Natchitoches [[mayor]], as the local advisor.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bsllt.org/steel-magnolias/ |title=Steel Magnolias |publisher=Bay St. Louis Little Theatre |access-date=February 8, 2015}}</ref> The house where much of the film was shot is now a six-suite [[bed and breakfast]], available for rent.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hornet.com/stories/steel-magnolias-house/|title=The Perfect Gaycation: A Weekend at the 'Steel Magnolias' House in Louisiana, Now a B&B|last=Horbelt|first=Stephan|date=2019-02-22|website=[[Hornet (app)|Hornet]]|access-date=2019-02-22}}</ref> The church used for a wedding scene is [[St. Augustine Catholic Church and Cemetery (Natchez, Louisiana)|St. Augustine Catholic Church]] in Natchez on the historic [[Isle Brevelle]].


==Reception==
==Reception==
===Box office===
<!--NOTE: The Nostalgia Critic's review is not legit, as he is just a character from a Web comedy series, not a real critic, and his "reviews" are purely for comedic purposes and are not intended to be taken seriously. Please keep that in mind before attempting to edit this page again.-->
''Steel Magnolias'' grossed $84.6 million in the United States and Canada, and $12.1 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $96.8 million.<ref name="mojo"/>


In the United States and Canada, the film debuted at number four in its opening weekend, grossing $5.4 million from 480 theaters. The following weekend, it expanded to 720 theaters and grossed $7 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl4084434433/weekend/|title=Steel Magnolias (1989) – Domestic Weekend|website=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=February 21, 2024}}</ref>
{{Rotten Tomatoes prose|67|6|36|consensus=''Steel Magnolias'' has jokes and characters to spare, which makes it more dangerous (and effective) when it goes for the full melodrama by the end.}}<ref>{{Cite Rotten Tomatoes |id=steel_magnolias |type=movie |title=Steel Magnolias |access-date=July 5, 2023}}</ref> An example of a less enthusiastic critic was Hal Hinson of ''[[The Washington Post]]'', who said that it felt "more Hollywood than the South."<ref>{{cite news|first=Hal|last=Hinson|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/steelmagnolias.htm|title='Steel Magnolias' (PG)|access-date=May 29, 2013|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=November 17, 1989}}</ref> More enthusiastic was [[Roger Ebert]], who said that the film was "willing to sacrifice its over-all impact for individual moments of humor, and while that leaves us without much to take home, you've got to hand it to them: The moments work".<ref>{{cite news|first=Roger|last=Ebert|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/steel-magnolias-1989|title=Steel Magnolias|access-date=February 26, 2020|work=RogerEbert.com|date=November 17, 1989}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098384/externalreviews|title=Steel Magnolias (1989)|website=imdb.com|access-date=June 15, 2017}}</ref> The film received a score of 56 based 13 critics on [[Metacritic]] with "mixed or average reviews".<ref>{{cite web|title=Steel Magnolia Reviews|website=[[Metacritic]] |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/steel-magnolias}}</ref>


===Critical response===
The movie received a limited release on November 15, 1989: it entered the U.S. box office at No. 4 with an opening weekend gross of $5,425,440; by the time of wider release two days later it grossed $15,643,935; stayed in the top 10 for 16 weeks, grossed $83,759,091 domestically with a further $12,145,000 with foreign markets, giving a worldwide gross of $95,904,091.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=steelmagnolias.htm|title=Steel Magnolias (1989)|publisher=Box Office Mojo}}</ref>
<!--NOTE: The Nostalgia Critic's review is not legit, as he is just a character from a Web comedy series, not a real critic, and his "reviews" are purely for comedic purposes and are not intended to be taken seriously. Please keep that in mind before attempting to edit this page again.-->


''Steel Magnolias'' received mixed reviews from critics upon release, although Roberts' performance was praised.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Forsberg |first=Myra |date=March 18, 1990 |title=Julia Roberts Faces a Test of Character |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/03/18/movies/julia-roberts-faces-a-test-of-character.html |access-date=June 25, 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]] |quote=While her fervent portrayal of a doomed diabetic impressed many academy members and critics, the film itself ... earned decidedly mixed reviews.}}</ref> {{Rotten Tomatoes prose|73|6.5|81|consensus=''Steel Magnolias'' has jokes and characters to spare, which makes it more dangerous (and effective) when it goes for the full melodrama by the end.}}<ref>{{Cite Rotten Tomatoes |id=steel_magnolias |type=movie |title=Steel Magnolias |access-date=May 3, 2024}}</ref> {{Metacritic film prose|56|13|ref=yes}}
== Home media ==
The film was released on [[VHS]] on June 19, 1990, and on [[DVD]] July 25, 2000, allowing the film to gross a further $40&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news|title= VIDEO RENTALS : 'Internal Affairs' Has Appeal|work= [[Los Angeles Times]]|date=August 2, 1990|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-08-02-ca-1494-story.html|access-date=February 26, 2020|first=Dennis|last=Hunt}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/1989/0STLM.php|title=Steel Magnolias (1989) - Financial Information|website=the-numbers.com|access-date=June 15, 2017}}</ref> The movie's overall gross was $135,904,091. The film was released on Blu-ray through the boutique label Twilight Time, on September 11, 2012&ndash;it has since gone out of print. A 30th anniversary Blu-ray was released on May 28, 2019.

==Other versions ==
=== Lifetime version ===
{{main|Steel Magnolias (2012 film)}}
[[Lifetime (TV network)|Lifetime]] Television Network presented a [[remake]] directed by [[Kenny Leon]], who had directed an ABC remake of ''[[A Raisin in the Sun (2008 film)|A Raisin in the Sun]]'' (2008), set in [[Louisiana]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Hilton|first=Perez|title=''Steel Magnolias'' To Be Remade With All-Black Cast|url=http://perezhilton.com/2011-10-11-lifetime-to-remake-steel-magnolias-with-all-black-cast#.TpUAI94Uqso|access-date=October 12, 2011}}</ref> with [[black people|black]] actors in the lead roles: [[Queen Latifah]] (M'Lynn), [[Jill Scott (singer)|Jill Scott]] (Truvy), [[Alfre Woodard]] (Ouiser), [[Phylicia Rashād]] (Clairee), [[Adepero Oduye]] (Annelle) and [[Condola Rashād]] (Shelby).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.smoothjazznetwork.com/pages/posts/queen-latifah-jill-scott-for-new-take-on-steel-magnolias-629.php |title=Queen Latifah, Jill Scott for New Take on 'Steel Magnolias' |website=Smooth Jazz Network |date=May 7, 2012 |access-date=February 8, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208213855/http://news.smoothjazznetwork.com/pages/posts/queen-latifah-jill-scott-for-new-take-on-steel-magnolias-629.php |archive-date=February 8, 2015 |df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>http://www.wtma.com/rssItem.asp?feedid=13&itemid=29851110 {{dead link|date=February 2015}}</ref> A review in ''[[The New York Times]]'' was mixed.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/06/arts/television/steel-magnolias-on-lifetime-with-queen-latifah.html?_r=0 | work=The New York Times | first=Mike | last=Hale | title='Steel Magnolias' on Lifetime, With Queen Latifah | date=October 5, 2012}}</ref>


In a less enthusiastic review, Hal Hinson of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' said that the film felt "more Hollywood than the South."<ref>{{cite news|first=Hal|last=Hinson|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/steelmagnolias.htm|title='Steel Magnolias' (PG)|access-date=May 29, 2013|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=November 17, 1989}}</ref> More enthusiastic was [[Roger Ebert]] of the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'', who said that the film was "willing to sacrifice its over-all impact for individual moments of humor, and while that leaves us without much to take home, you've got to hand it to them: The moments work".<ref>{{cite news|first=Roger|last=Ebert|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/steel-magnolias-1989|title=Steel Magnolias|access-date=February 26, 2020|newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|date=November 17, 1989|via=[[RogerEbert.com]]}}</ref>
=== Pilot for TV show ===
[[Columbia Broadcasting System|CBS]] broadcast on August 17, 1990, a half-hour television pilot sitcom. The pilot, set after the events of the movie, featured the same characters, except for Shelby.


===Accolades===
The cast included [[Cindy Williams]] as M'Lynn, [[Sally Kirkland]] as Truvy, [[Elaine Stritch]] as Ouiser, [[Polly Bergen]] as Clairee and [[Sheila McCarthy]] as Annelle.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.southernliving.com/culture/steel-magnolias-movie-facts| title = Things Even Die-Hard Steel Magnolias Fans Probably Don't Know About the Classic {{!}} Southern Living}}</ref> The show was not picked up to series.
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

! scope="col"| Award
==Awards and nominations==
! scope="col"| Year
{{unreferenced section|date=July 2020}}
! scope="col"| Category
{| class="wikitable"
! scope="col"| Recipient
|-
! scope="col"| Result
! Year
! Association
! Category
! Nominated work
! Result
|-
|-
! scope="row"| [[Academy Awards]]
| [[62nd Academy Awards|1989]]
| [[62nd Academy Awards|1989]]
| [[Academy Awards]]
| [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]]
| [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]]
| rowspan=2|Julia Roberts
| rowspan=2|Julia Roberts
| {{nom}}<ref>{{Cite web|title=Academy Awards Database|url=http://awardsdatabase.oscars.org/Search/Nominations?categoryExactId=7&awardShowFrom=62&view=3-Award%20Category-Chron|website=Academy Awards Database|access-date=2021-06-10}}</ref>
| {{nom}}<ref>{{Cite web|title=Academy Awards Database|url=http://awardsdatabase.oscars.org/Search/Nominations?categoryExactId=7&awardShowFrom=62&view=3-Award%20Category-Chron|website=Academy Awards Database|access-date=2021-06-10}}</ref>
|-
|-
! scope="row" rowspan=2|[[Golden Globe Awards]]
| rowspan=2|[[47th Golden Globe Awards|1989]]
| rowspan=2|[[47th Golden Globe Awards|1989]]
| rowspan=2|[[Golden Globe Awards]]
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture|Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture]]
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture|Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture]]
| {{Won}}<ref>{{Cite web|title=Steele Magnolias Golden Globes|url=https://www.goldenglobes.com/film/steel-magnolias|website=Golden Globes|access-date=2021-06-10}}</ref>
| {{Won}}<ref name="Steele Magnolias Golden Globes">{{Cite web|title=Steele Magnolias Golden Globes|url=https://www.goldenglobes.com/film/steel-magnolias|website=Golden Globes|access-date=2021-06-10}}</ref>
|-
|-
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama|Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama]]
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama|Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama]]
| Sally Field
| Sally Field
| {{nom}}<ref>{{Cite web|title=Steele Magnolias Golden Globes|url=https://www.goldenglobes.com/film/steel-magnolias|website=Golden Globes|access-date=2021-06-10}}</ref>
| {{nom}}<ref name="Steele Magnolias Golden Globes"/>
|-
|-
! scope="row"| [[BAFTA Awards|British Academy Film Awards]]
| [[44th British Academy Film Awards|1991]]
| [[44th British Academy Film Awards|1991]]
| [[BAFTA Awards|British Academy Film Awards]]
| [[BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role|Best Actress in a Supporting Role]]
| [[BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role|Best Actress in a Supporting Role]]
| rowspan=3|Shirley MacLaine
| rowspan=3|Shirley MacLaine
| {{nom}}<ref>{{Cite web|title=BAFTA Awards, Film, Actress in a Supporting Role in 1991|url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/1991/film/actress-in-a-supporting-role|website=BAFTA Awards|access-date=2021-06-10}}</ref>
| {{nom}}<ref>{{Cite web|title=BAFTA Awards, Film, Actress in a Supporting Role in 1991|url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/1991/film/actress-in-a-supporting-role|website=BAFTA Awards|access-date=2021-06-10}}</ref>
|-
|-
! scope="row"| [[Chicago Film Critics Association Awards]]
| 1990
| [[Chicago Film Critics Association Awards|Chicago Film Critics Association]]
| [[Chicago Film Critics Association Awards 1989|1990]]
| [[Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]]
| [[Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]]
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
|-
|-
! scope="row" rowspan=2|[[American Comedy Awards]]
| 1990
| 1990
| Funniest Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
| rowspan=2|[[American Comedy Awards]]
| [[American Comedy Awards|Funniest Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture]]
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
|-
|-
| 1990
| 1990
| [[American Comedy Awards|Funniest Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture]]
| Funniest Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
| Olympia Dukakis
| Olympia Dukakis
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
|-
|-
! scope="row"| [[People's Choice Awards]]
| 1990
| [[People's Choice Awards]]
| [[16th People's Choice Awards|1990]]
| [[People's Choice Awards|Favorite Dramatic Motion Picture]]
| Favorite Dramatic Motion Picture
| ''Steel Magnolias''
| ''Steel Magnolias''
| {{won}}{{efn|Tied with ''[[Batman (1989 film)|Batman]]''}}
| {{won}}
|-
|}
|}

==Home media==
The film was released on [[VHS]] on June 19, 1990, and on [[DVD]] July 25, 2000, allowing the film to gross a further $40&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news|title= VIDEO RENTALS : 'Internal Affairs' Has Appeal|work= [[Los Angeles Times]]|date=August 2, 1990|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-08-02-ca-1494-story.html|access-date=February 26, 2020|first=Dennis|last=Hunt}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/1989/0STLM.php|title=Steel Magnolias (1989) - Financial Information|website=the-numbers.com|access-date=June 15, 2017}}</ref> The film's overall gross was $135,904,091. The film was released on Blu-ray through the boutique label Twilight Time, on September 11, 2012. A 30th anniversary Blu-ray was released on May 28, 2019. On April 23, 2024, the film was released on [[Ultra HD Blu-ray|4K Ultra-HD]] in honor of the 35th Anniversary.

==Other versions==
===Lifetime remake===
{{main|Steel Magnolias (2012 film)}}
A remake of ''Steel Magnolias'' premiered on [[Lifetime (TV network)|Lifetime]] on October 7, 2012, directed by [[Kenny Leon]] and featuring an all-[[black people|black]] cast that includes [[Queen Latifah]] (M'Lynn), [[Jill Scott (singer)|Jill Scott]] (Truvy), [[Alfre Woodard]] (Ouiser), [[Phylicia Rashād]] (Clairee), [[Adepero Oduye]] (Annelle), and [[Condola Rashād]] (Shelby).<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Strecker |first=Erin |url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/07/03/steel-magnolias-remake-lifetime-trailer/ |title=Lifetime's 'Steel Magnolias' remake: Watch trailer here |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=July 3, 2012 |access-date=February 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120708232322/http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/07/03/steel-magnolias-remake-lifetime-trailer/ |archive-date=July 8, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Obenson |first=Tambay A. |url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/lifetime-sets-world-premiere-date-for-all-black-steel-magnolias-remake |title=Lifetime Sets World Premiere Date For All-Black 'Steel Magnolias' Remake |website=[[IndieWire]] |date=August 22, 2012 |access-date=February 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120824233654/http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/lifetime-sets-world-premiere-date-for-all-black-steel-magnolias-remake |archive-date=August 24, 2012}}</ref>

===Television pilot===
[[CBS]] aired a half-hour television pilot sitcom on August 17, 1990. The pilot, set after the events of the film, featured the same characters, except for Shelby. The cast included [[Cindy Williams]] as M'Lynn, [[Sally Kirkland]] as Truvy, [[Elaine Stritch]] as Ouiser, [[Polly Bergen]] as Clairee and [[Sheila McCarthy]] as Annelle.<ref name="Locker"/> The show was not picked up to series.


==See also==
==See also==
*[[List of films featuring diabetes]]
* [[List of films featuring diabetes]]
* [[Isle Brevelle]]

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}


==References==
==References==
Line 240: Line 244:
==External links==
==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{IMDb title|0098384|Steel Magnolias}}
* {{IMDb title}}
* {{AllMovie title}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes|steel_magnolias}}
* {{tcmdb title|91382|Steel Magnolias}}
* {{Mojo title}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes}}
* {{AFI film}}
* {{TCMDb title}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080827170353/http://www.diabeteshealth.com/read/2002/11/01/3036.html Diabetes in the Movies]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080827170353/http://www.diabeteshealth.com/read/2002/11/01/3036.html Diabetes in the Movies]
* {{mojo title|steelmagnolias}}


{{Herbert Ross}}
{{Herbert Ross}}


[[Category:1989 films]]
[[Category:1989 films]]
[[Category:1980s female buddy films]]
[[Category:1989 comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:1989 comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:1980s American films]]
[[Category:1980s buddy comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:1980s English-language films]]
[[Category:1980s female buddy films]]
[[Category:American buddy comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:American buddy comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:American female buddy films]]
[[Category:American female buddy films]]
[[Category:1980s buddy comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:Films scored by Georges Delerue]]
[[Category:Films about weddings in the United States]]
[[Category:American films based on plays]]
[[Category:American films based on plays]]
[[Category:English-language comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:Films about funerals]]
[[Category:Films about hairdressers]]
[[Category:Films about hairdressers]]
[[Category:Films about mother–daughter relationships]]
[[Category:Films about weddings in the United States]]
[[Category:Films directed by Herbert Ross]]
[[Category:Films directed by Herbert Ross]]
[[Category:Films featuring a Best Supporting Actress Golden Globe-winning performance]]
[[Category:Films featuring a Best Supporting Actress Golden Globe–winning performance]]
[[Category:Films produced by Ray Stark]]
[[Category:Films produced by Ray Stark]]
[[Category:Films scored by Georges Delerue]]
[[Category:Films set in Louisiana]]
[[Category:Films set in Louisiana]]
[[Category:Films shot in Louisiana]]
[[Category:Natchitoches, Louisiana]]
[[Category:Natchitoches, Louisiana]]
[[Category:TriStar Pictures films]]
[[Category:TriStar Pictures films]]
[[Category:Films shot in Louisiana]]
[[Category:English-language buddy comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:1989 comedy films]]
[[Category:1989 drama films]]
[[Category:Films about mother–daughter relationships]]
[[Category:1980s English-language films]]
[[Category:1980s American films]]
[[Category:Films about funerals]]

Latest revision as of 13:46, 20 November 2024

Not to be confused with Magnolia (film) or Sweet Magnolias. For other uses, see Steel Magnolias (disambiguation).

Steel Magnolias
Theatrical release poster
Directed byHerbert Ross
Screenplay byRobert Harling
Based onSteel Magnolias
by Robert Harling
Produced byRay Stark
Starring
CinematographyJohn A. Alonzo
Edited byPaul Hirsch
Music byGeorges Delerue
Production
company
Distributed byTri-Star Pictures
Release date
  • November 15, 1989 (1989-11-15)
Running time
118 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$15 million[1]
Box office$96.8 million[2]

Steel Magnolias is a 1989 American comedy drama film directed by Herbert Ross and starring Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis, and Julia Roberts. The screenplay by Robert Harling is based on his 1987 play of the same name about the bond a group of women share in a small-town Southern community, and how they cope with the death of one of their own. The supporting cast features Tom Skerritt, Dylan McDermott, Kevin J. O'Connor, and Sam Shepard.

Harling based the story in part on his sister, Susan Harling Robinson, who died in 1985 of complications from type 1 diabetes. In the film, Roberts plays Shelby, the character based on Susan.[3]

Plot

[edit]

Annelle Dupuy, a shy beauty school graduate, moves to Chinquapin Parish in northwestern Louisiana, where Truvy Jones hires her to work in her home-based beauty salon.

Meanwhile, M'Lynn Eatenton and her daughter, Shelby, busily prepare for Shelby's wedding that is being held later that day. M'Lynn's insufferable husband, Drum Eatenton, uses a gun to drive birds out of the trees so they do not interfere with Shelby's reception. Along with Clairee Belcher, the former mayor's cheerful widow, they arrive at Truvy's to have their hair done. While there, Shelby, who has type 1 diabetes, suffers a hypoglycemic attack, but recovers quickly with the women's help. M'Lynn reveals that due to Shelby's medical condition, her doctor advises against her having children. Shelby considered ending her engagement to her fiancé, Jackson, so he would not be deprived of children.

Grouchy and sarcastic Louisa "Ouiser" Boudreaux arrives at the salon and immediately begins interrogating Annelle about her background. Annelle tearfully reveals that her husband, who is evading the police, has disappeared after stealing her money, belongings, and car. Annelle further admits she is unsure her marriage is legal. Shelby, sympathetic, invites Annelle to the wedding reception, where she meets bartender Sammy DeSoto. At the Christmas festival later that year, Annelle, following a short-lived wild streak, has become a devout Christian, much to Sammy's annoyance, while Clairee has bought local radio station KPPD.

During the Christmas holidays, Shelby announces she is pregnant. Everyone is thrilled except M'Lynn, who knows the risks. Truvy encourages M'Lynn to instead focus on the joy a new baby brings.

Shelby has a baby boy and names him Jackson Latcherie Jr., but soon develops kidney failure requiring regular dialysis. Around Jackson Jr.'s first birthday, Shelby undergoes a successful transplant with M'Lynn's donated kidney. Shelby recovers, but four months later, Jackson arrives home to find her unconscious. Shelby is comatose, having contracted an infection in her central nervous system due to the suppressive therapy that keeps her body from rejecting the kidney. After doctors determine Shelby's condition is irreversible, the family jointly decide to remove her from life support, with Jackson signing the papers to consent. Shortly after Shelby's death, M'Lynn leaves the hospital and goes to Jackson's aunt Fern's house to pick up her grandson.

After the funeral, M'Lynn breaks down in tears, and the other women comfort her. M'Lynn gradually accepts her daughter's decision to have risked her life in return for a few special years of motherhood and decides to focus her energy on helping Jackson with raising her grandson. Annelle, who married Sammy and is now pregnant, tells M'Lynn she wants to name her own baby after Shelby, even if the baby turns out to be a boy, as she was the reason Annelle and Sammy met. M'Lynn approves, stating, "Life goes on."

At the town's Easter egg hunt, Annelle goes into labor and is rushed to the hospital by Truvy and her husband Spud in their truck, followed by Sammy in an Easter Bunny costume and Truvy and Spud's son Louie on Louie's motorcycle.

Cast

[edit]
Actor Character Description
Sally Field M'Lynn Eatenton Social worker; wife to Drum; mother to Shelby, Jonathan and Tommy; Jackson's mother-in-law; Jack Jr.'s maternal grandmother
Dolly Parton Truvy Jones Glamour Technician; wife to Spud Jones; mother to Louie; town gossip
Shirley MacLaine Louisa "Ouiser" Boudreaux Clairee Belcher's best friend and confidante; Eatenton family's next-door neighbor; town grouch; Drum's nemesis
Daryl Hannah Annelle Dupuy-DeSoto Newcomer to town; apprentice beautician hired by Truvy Jones; first married to Bunkie Dupuy; later marries Sammy DeSoto
Olympia Dukakis Clairee Belcher Former town first lady; sister to Drew Marmillion; sister-in-law to Belle Marmillion; aunt to Marshall and Nancy Beth Marmillion; best friend and confidant of Ouiser Boudreaux; friend of the Eatentons and Joneses
Julia Roberts Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie Eldest child and only daughter of Drum and M'Lynn; sister to Jonathan and Tommy; marries Jackson and gives birth to Jack Jr.; suffers from type 1 diabetes
Tom Skerritt Drum Eatenton Husband of M'Lynn; father to Shelby, Jonathan, and Tommy; Jackson Latcherie's father-in-law; Jack Jr.'s maternal grandfather
Sam Shepard Spud Jones Sporadically employed laborer; Truvy's husband and Louie's father
Dylan McDermott Jackson Latcherie Lawyer; Shelby's husband; Jack Jr.'s father; Drum and M'Lynn's son-in-law and Jonathan and Tommy's brother-in-law
Kevin J. O'Connor Sammy DeSoto Annelle's eventual husband, who met her at Shelby and Jackson's wedding reception
Bill McCutcheon Owen Jenkins Ouiser's former boyfriend who recently returned to town
Ann Wedgeworth Fern Thornton Jackson's aunt; her specialty is baking animal-shaped cakes
Knowl Johnson Tommy Eatenton Drum and M'Lynn's first-born son and middle child; Shelby and Jonathan's brother; Jackson's brother-in-law; Jack Jr.'s maternal uncle
Jonathan Ward Jonathan Eatenton Drum and M'Lynn's second-born son and youngest child; Shelby and Tommy's brother; Jackson's brother-in-law; Jack Jr.'s maternal uncle
Bibi Besch Belle Marmillion Drew's wife; mother to Marshall and Nancy Beth; Clairee's sister-in-law
Janine Turner Nancy Beth Marmillion Drew and Belle's daughter; Marshall's sister; Clairee's niece; town's dethroned "Miss Merry Christmas"
James Wlcek Marshall Marmillion Drew and Belle's son; Nancy Beth's brother; Clairee's nephew; announces to his parents he is gay
Ronald Young Drew Marmillion Clairee Belcher's brother; husband to Belle Marmillion; father to Marshall and Nancy Beth
Tom Hodges Louie Jones Truvy and Spud's rebellious son
C. Houser Jackson Latcherie Jr. (1 year old) Jackson and Shelby's son; Drum and M'Lynn's grandson; Jonathan and Tommy's nephew
Daniel Camp Jackson Latcherie Jr. (3 years old)
Norman Fletcher Mr. Latcherie Sr. Husband of Mrs. Latcherie Sr.; father of Jackson Sr.; father-in-law of Shelby; paternal grandfather of Jack Jr.

Background

[edit]

The original play dramatized experiences of the family and friends of the playwright's following the 1985 death of his sister from diabetic complications after the birth of his namesake nephew and the failure of a family member's donated kidney. A writer friend continuously encouraged him to write it down in order to come to terms with the experience. He did but originally as a short story for his nephew then later to get an understanding of the deceased mother. It evolved in ten days into the play.[4][5]

Production

[edit]

Harling's first produced screenplay, he adapted the original film script which was then heavily rewritten beyond the on-stage one-set scenario (which had taken place entirely in Truvy's beauty salon) of the stage production: the scenes increased and the sequence was more tightly linked with major holidays than the play; the increased characters beyond the original, all-female play cast caused dialogue changes between on-screen characters (among them, Harling plays the preacher and Truvy has one son instead of two).

Filming took place from July 12, 1988, to early September 1988 in Natchitoches, Louisiana,[1] with historian Robert DeBlieux, a former Natchitoches mayor, as the local advisor.[6] The house where much of the film was shot is now a six-suite bed and breakfast, available for rent.[7] The church used for a wedding scene is St. Augustine Catholic Church in Natchez on the historic Isle Brevelle.

Reception

[edit]

Box office

[edit]

Steel Magnolias grossed $84.6 million in the United States and Canada, and $12.1 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $96.8 million.[2]

In the United States and Canada, the film debuted at number four in its opening weekend, grossing $5.4 million from 480 theaters. The following weekend, it expanded to 720 theaters and grossed $7 million.[8]

Critical response

[edit]

Steel Magnolias received mixed reviews from critics upon release, although Roberts' performance was praised.[9] On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 73% of 81 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.5/10. The website's consensus reads: "Steel Magnolias has jokes and characters to spare, which makes it more dangerous (and effective) when it goes for the full melodrama by the end."[10] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 56 out of 100, based on 13 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[11]

In a less enthusiastic review, Hal Hinson of The Washington Post said that the film felt "more Hollywood than the South."[12] More enthusiastic was Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times, who said that the film was "willing to sacrifice its over-all impact for individual moments of humor, and while that leaves us without much to take home, you've got to hand it to them: The moments work".[13]

Accolades

[edit]
Award Year Category Recipient Result
Academy Awards 1989 Best Supporting Actress Julia Roberts Nominated[14]
Golden Globe Awards 1989 Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture Won[15]
Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama Sally Field Nominated[15]
British Academy Film Awards 1991 Best Actress in a Supporting Role Shirley MacLaine Nominated[16]
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards 1990 Best Supporting Actress Nominated
American Comedy Awards 1990 Funniest Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture Nominated
1990 Funniest Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture Olympia Dukakis Nominated
People's Choice Awards 1990 Favorite Dramatic Motion Picture Steel Magnolias Won[a]

Home media

[edit]

The film was released on VHS on June 19, 1990, and on DVD July 25, 2000, allowing the film to gross a further $40 million.[17][18] The film's overall gross was $135,904,091. The film was released on Blu-ray through the boutique label Twilight Time, on September 11, 2012. A 30th anniversary Blu-ray was released on May 28, 2019. On April 23, 2024, the film was released on 4K Ultra-HD in honor of the 35th Anniversary.

Other versions

[edit]

Lifetime remake

[edit]
Main article: Steel Magnolias (2012 film)

A remake of Steel Magnolias premiered on Lifetime on October 7, 2012, directed by Kenny Leon and featuring an all-black cast that includes Queen Latifah (M'Lynn), Jill Scott (Truvy), Alfre Woodard (Ouiser), Phylicia Rashād (Clairee), Adepero Oduye (Annelle), and Condola Rashād (Shelby).[19][20]

Television pilot

[edit]

CBS aired a half-hour television pilot sitcom on August 17, 1990. The pilot, set after the events of the film, featured the same characters, except for Shelby. The cast included Cindy Williams as M'Lynn, Sally Kirkland as Truvy, Elaine Stritch as Ouiser, Polly Bergen as Clairee and Sheila McCarthy as Annelle.[3] The show was not picked up to series.

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Tied with Batman

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Steel Magnolias (1989) – History". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Steel Magnolias (1989)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  3. ^ a b Locker, Melissa (April 11, 2023). "17 Facts About 'Steel Magnolias' Even Die-Hard Fans Don't Know". Southern Living.
  4. ^ People Archives: Vol. 29, No. 3 (January 25, 1988), "Robert Harling, Author of a Hit Comedy Based on a Family Tragedy" by Kim Hubbard.
  5. ^ "What's Up, Robert Harling? Reflections on the 25th Anniversary of Steel Magnolias, Kristin Chenoweth in a Soapdish Musical & More". Interviews by Kathy Henderson November 28, 2012
  6. ^ "Steel Magnolias". Bay St. Louis Little Theatre. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
  7. ^ Horbelt, Stephan (February 22, 2019). "The Perfect Gaycation: A Weekend at the 'Steel Magnolias' House in Louisiana, Now a B&B". Hornet. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
  8. ^ "Steel Magnolias (1989) – Domestic Weekend". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  9. ^ Forsberg, Myra (March 18, 1990). "Julia Roberts Faces a Test of Character". The New York Times. Retrieved June 25, 2024. While her fervent portrayal of a doomed diabetic impressed many academy members and critics, the film itself ... earned decidedly mixed reviews.
  10. ^ "Steel Magnolias". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
  11. ^ "Steel Magnolias". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc.
  12. ^ Hinson, Hal (November 17, 1989). "'Steel Magnolias' (PG)". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
  13. ^ Ebert, Roger (November 17, 1989). "Steel Magnolias". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved February 26, 2020 – via RogerEbert.com.
  14. ^ "Academy Awards Database". Academy Awards Database. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  15. ^ a b "Steele Magnolias Golden Globes". Golden Globes. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  16. ^ "BAFTA Awards, Film, Actress in a Supporting Role in 1991". BAFTA Awards. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  17. ^ Hunt, Dennis (August 2, 1990). "VIDEO RENTALS : 'Internal Affairs' Has Appeal". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
  18. ^ "Steel Magnolias (1989) - Financial Information". the-numbers.com. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  19. ^ Strecker, Erin (July 3, 2012). "Lifetime's 'Steel Magnolias' remake: Watch trailer here". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on July 8, 2012. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
  20. ^ Obenson, Tambay A. (August 22, 2012). "Lifetime Sets World Premiere Date For All-Black 'Steel Magnolias' Remake". IndieWire. Archived from the original on August 24, 2012. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
[edit]
Wikiquote has quotations related to Steel Magnolias.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Steel_Magnolias&oldid=1258578382"