Steel Magnolias

Steel Magnolias - A Testament to Strength in Women. Possibly one of the most difinitive movies of its time, Steel Magnolias was a testament to women, friendship and the power of love and support. The film had a star studded cast: Olympia Dukakis, Sally Field, Julia Roberts, Dolly Parton, Shirley McLain, Daryl Hannah and supporting actors Sam Shepard, Tom Skerritt and Dylan McDermott. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098384/ Roberts was nominated for an Academy Award as best actress in a supporting role (1990). She took the Golden Globe for that same role, and Field won a Golden Globe as Best Actress in a Leading Role (1990).http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098384/awards

The plot is loosely based around the upcoming wedding of Shelby Eatenton (Julia Roberts) to young attorney Jason Latcherie (Dylan McDermott). Interwoven are many sub-plots and side stories which intertwine to add humor romance, dramatic tension, tragedy and ultimate friendship between incredibly strong women. It has been labeled "The funniest movie ever to make you cry," and "Sometimes laughter is a matter of life and death."http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098384/taglines

The hub of activity throughout the film is Truvy's Beauty Parlor (Dolly Parton). Located in Chiquapin Parish, Louisiana, the beauty parlor is where secrets are shared and personalities unfold. There the women meet, commiserate, and prepare for the upcoming wedding. Anelle Desoto (Daryl Hannah) is brillianty portrayed as a frumpy shy girl, Trucy's new "glamour technician," who later blossoms into a latter-day Jezebel, then ultimately turns to the Lord and marries happily. Truvy's reticent husband Spud Jones (Sam Shepard) is an interesting contrast to the effervescent Truvy.

The crusty Ouiser Boudreau (Shirley McClaine) primarily plays off of the mischievous character Clairee Belcher (Olympia Dukakis) in their long-term odd couple friendship. Barbs fly back and forth. Ouiser is at constant ongoing war with M'lynn's (Sally Field) husband, Drum Eatenton (Tom Skerrit).

It is revealed that Shelby (Julia Roberts) is a serious diabetic. Later in the movie, she becomes pregnant in an effort to save her marriage to Jackson Latcherie (Dylan McDermott), which has some of the friends elated. "I thought she couldn't have children!" exclaims Clairee. "The doctor said she SHOULDN'T have children," explains Shelby's mother, M'lynn. Pregnancy is a high risk life-threatening factor for diabetics, and after a tragic stretch of time, the result is ultimately kidney failure and Shelby's death.

With Shelby's new baby, Jack, M'Lynn and her four friends pick up the pieces and celebrate life as M'Lynn raises the little boy. The movie culminates with an Easter egg hunt extravaganza, and Anelle Desoto being rushed to the hospital by her husband Sammy Desoto (Kevin J. O'Connor) in his Easter Bunny costume, on a scooter, where she has her baby - whom they name Shelby.