Steel Magnolias (1989)
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65% of critics liked it
(20 reviews) -
88% of users liked it
(158,469 ratings)
The title refers to those seemingly frail Southern belles who survive any and all deprivations through whims of iron. Robert Harling's original stage play was set exclusively in a Louisiana beauty parlor where an all-female cast of characters laughed, cried and compared menfolk. The film expands… More The title refers to those seemingly frail Southern belles who survive any and all deprivations through whims of iron. Robert Harling's original stage play was set exclusively in a Louisiana beauty parlor where an all-female cast of characters laughed, cried and compared menfolk. The film expands the playing field by including scenes at picnics, hospitals and the like, and by visually depicting the males who never appeared in the stage version. Dolly Parton plays the goodnatured beauty-shop owner, while Shirley MacLaine is the cantankerous town eccentric, decked out in grungy overalls and speaking fluent Trash. Well-to-do Sally Field bravely endures several assaults to her sensibilities, not the least of which is the illness (and subsequent death) of daughter Julia Roberts. The performances are first-rate, with the possible exception of Daryl Hannah's overemphatic portrayal of a gawky hairdresser. The film stumbles a bit in its depiction of the male characters as fools and deadheads, and in the final overlong hospital scenes involving the comatose Roberts, which play like a road company version of Terms of Endearment. Otherwise, Steel Magnolias is a prime example of ensemble filmmaking, lovingly coordinated by director Herbert Ross. (Sidebar: Herbert Ross was reportedly rather rough on Julia Roberts, deriding her lack of experience. The rest of the female cast rallied around Roberts and told the director to lay off or pay the price). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Herbert Ross
- Genres
- Drama
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1989 Wide
- Studio
- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
chooses to leave the rearing of her moppet to Dylan McDermott...or Dermot Mulroney. Doesn't matter.
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Eric Henderson, Slant Magazine
If Claree's nephew meets gay men by comfirming they have track lighting in their homes, I filter my dating prospects by checking to see if they have a copy of Steel Magnolias on their shelf.
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Ellen MacKay, Common Sense Media
Three-hanky special, but with lots of laughs, too.
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Nick Davis, Nick's Flick Picks
For all its violations of good taste and critical criteria, I laugh and cry every time, and I'll never let it go. So sue me.
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Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Good character study ruined by cliche-driven plot
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Sally Field
as M'Lynn Eatenton
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Julia Roberts
as Shelby Eatenton Latcherie
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Dolly Parton
as Truvy Jones
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Olympia Dukakis
as Clairee Belcher
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Shirley MacLaine
as Ouiser Boudreaux
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Daryl Hannah
as Annelle Dupuy Desoto
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Tom Skerritt
as Drum Eatenton
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Sam Shepard
as Spud Jones
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Dylan McDermott
as Jackson Latcherie
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Kevin J. O'Connor
as Sammy Desoto
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Bill McCutcheon
as Owen Jenkins
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Bibi Besch
as Belle Marmillion
- Carole Cook
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Robert Ginnaven
as Mayor Van Meter
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Tom Hodges
as Louie Jones
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Rick Hurst
as Bark Boone
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Knowl Johnson
as Tommy Eatenton
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Nancy Parsons
as Janice Van Meter
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Janine Turner
as Nancy Beth Marmillion
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Jonathan Ward
as Jonathan Eatenton
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Ann Wedgeworth
as Aunt Fern
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Robert Harling
as Minister
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Spencer Henderson
as Dancing Couple
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Norman Fletcher
as Mr. Latcherie Sr.
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Sandra Asbury-Johnson
as Dancing Couple
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Teresa Beaudoin
as Receptionist
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Oscar J. Bienvenu Jr.
as Doctor
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Daniel Camp
as Jack Jr. (3 years old)
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Betty J. Dove
as Nurse
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Rodney Alan Fulton
as Bobby Ray Ross
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Travis Harrison
as Delivery Boy
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C. Houser
as Jack Jr. (1 year old)
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Gladys Mallard
as Nurse
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Walker May
as Newspaper Boy
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Debbie McCann
as Cook's Helper
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Roger D. McCann
as Cook's Helper
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Robert R. Morgan
as Cook
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Gale J. Odom
as Church Singer
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Aja Sansone
as Monique
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James Shapkoff III
as Delivery Man
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Lori Tate
as Mrs. Latcherie Sr.
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Betsy Widhalm
as Church Organist
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James Wlcek
as Marshall Marmillion
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Ronald Young
as Drew Marmillion
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Carol Sutton
as Nurse Pam
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Robert Adams
as Dr. Judd
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Trent Dawson
as Church Singer



