JUST ANOTHER GAL FROM CASPER – WHAT I’M WATCHING RIGHT NOW EDITION…
I’m not always a fan of “chick flicks.” But when they hit, they Hit. 1989’s Steel Magnolias is a longtime fave of mine, with a superb cast and a witty, sarcastic and emotional script. In fact, Stage III Community Theatre just opened its 2023–24 season with this play (set in Truvy’s Beauty Salon – it’s fabulous!) and it inspired me to give the film a(nother) re-watch.
For those who may have skipped this movie, the story focuses on a group of southern women whose friendships weather everything from weddings and kidney transplants to annoying (or amusing) husbands and born-again Christian behavior, just to name a few. The theme? Although chicks are delicate flowers, emotionally, they’re stronger than dudes.
I’m paraphrasing, but that’s the gist. Only as much as I love the movie, I don’t agree with that theme. Sure, sometimes women are the strong ones. But I’ve known just as many dudes with the emotional strength to support someone going through a physically, mentally or emotionally difficult time. And just as many chicks who’ve “nope”d out of these types of situations.
But whatever. Sometimes, it’s just fun to watch a show and not think too hard about the message.
The movie opens with the ladies getting beautified at Truvy’s (Dolly Parton’s) Beauty Salon on Shelby’s (Julia Roberts’s) big day – which is not without its issues. But Shelby’s mama M’Lynn (Sally Field) calmly navigates one crisis after another…
And if you’re new in town, like Annelle (Darryl Hannah,) these ladies will question your backstory right out of you…
They share gossip, like Clairee (Olympia Dukakis) informing Shelby about the town’s (and her family’s) goings-on…
But they also come together in times of crisis — even crotchety ol’ Ouiser (Shirley McClain)…
Speaking of, I love Ouiser, but I really love her contentious relationship with M’Lynn’s husband, Drum (Tom Skerrit), who knows just how to antagonize her…
Bonus? Steel Magnolias has a decent score, y’all! Not annoyingly dated/cheesy ’80s electric keyboards/saxophone/tacky drum tracks!
Revisit Steel Magnolias the movie (I streamed this classic on Netflix), or catch it live for its final weekend at Stage III Community Theatre this Saturday night or Sunday afternoon. However, this show’s been selling out, so check https://www.stageiiitheatre.org/ for availability, as well as for information on their upcoming season.
