Steel Magnolias may be nothing more than manipulative high class soap opera, but it is soap opera that works, thanks to a good script and some first class performances by an excellent cast. If you are looking for edge or your seat drama, you're shopping in the wrong store here. What you do get is a story about relationships. The main focus is the story of a friendship between five women, each character totally different, but very well defined by the five actresses who portray them. There is also a major story about the relationship between a Mother and Daughter, some minor stories involving girlfriend and boyfriend, and husband and wife. It is the actresses who make this movie watchable, Sally Field hits all the right notes as a mother who at times can seem overbearing to her daughter, but as we find out with good reason. Dolly Parton as a beauty shop owner gives her best performance ever here, and for once doesn't try to draw our attention to her anatomy. Shirley MacLaine and Olympia Dukakis are stellar as two women who you are always trying to one up the other, but who deep down really care about each other. The biggest surprise here is Daryl Hannah, who plays a mousy church goer. It is probably her best performance to date. Julia Roberts, in an early role as Sally Field's daughter, does a fine job also.
Although the male roles don't have much screen time, they are still pivotal to the story, and Tom Skerritt, Sam Shephard, Dylan McDermott, and Kevin J. O'Connor, give performances every bit as good as the ladies. It's great to watch a movie where on the surface there doesn't seem to be much happening, but challenges you to listen to the dialogue between the characters. Steel Magnolias is just such a movie, and does it better than most.
Although the male roles don't have much screen time, they are still pivotal to the story, and Tom Skerritt, Sam Shephard, Dylan McDermott, and Kevin J. O'Connor, give performances every bit as good as the ladies. It's great to watch a movie where on the surface there doesn't seem to be much happening, but challenges you to listen to the dialogue between the characters. Steel Magnolias is just such a movie, and does it better than most.