Steel Magnolias *** (1989, Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis, Julia Roberts) – Classic Movie Review 4064

Director Herbert Ross’s 1989 comedy drama about a close-knit circle of friends, based on the Broadway play by Robert Harling, showcases classy acting from a top-notch female all-star cast of Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis and Julia Roberts.

The performances turn this schmaltzy yarn (with Harling writing his own screenplay adapting his play) set around Parton’s Louisiana small-town beauty parlour, into an engagingly pleasant experience.

Some very witty lines, perfectly delivered, make up for the downer of one of the characters dying. Ross ensures that it is a well-made film, with smart photography by John A Alonzo, even if it is limited by its innate melodramatic weepiness. And, thanks mainly to the performers, it is still very enjoyable.

Also in the cast are Tom Skerritt as Drum Eatenton, Sam Shepard as Spud Jones, Dylan McDermott as Jackson Latcherie, Kevin J O’Connor as Sammy Desoto, Ann Wedgeworth as Aunt Fern, Bill McCutcheon, Knowl Johnson, Jonathan Ward, Bibi Besch, Janine Turner, James Welch, Ronald Young, Robert Ginnaven, Nancy Parsons, Tom Hodges and Rick Hurst.

RIP Ann Wedgeworth.

Ann Wedgeworth died on 16 November 2017, aged 83.

Sam Shepard died on 27 July 2017, aged 73.

© Derek Winnert 2016 Classic Movie Review 4064

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