Steel Magnolias Movie Review 1989

Shelby Eatenton (Roberts) is a young woman stricken with severe diabetes who chooses to live her life to the fullest despite her bad health. Much of the action centers around a Louisiana beauty shop (run by Parton) where the women get together to discuss the goings-on of their lives. Screenplay by R. Harling, based on his partially autobiographical play. Sweet, poignant, and often hilarious, yet just as often overwrought. MacLaine is funny as a bitter divorcee; Parton is sexy and fun as the hairdresser; but Field and Roberts (as mother and daughter) go off the deep end and make it all entirely too weepy.

Distribution

Sony Pictures Home Video, Sony Pictures Plz., 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232, Phone: (310)244-7306, Fax: (310)280-2485, URL: http://www.spe.sony.com, Remarks: Formerly Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 118 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Tearjerkers, Women, Southern Belles, Female Bonding, Funerals, Cuttin' Heads, Louisiana, Disease of the Week, Parenthood, Pregnant Pauses, Wedding Bells

Screenplay

Robert Harling

Cast

Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis, Julia Roberts, Tom Skerritt, Sam Shepard, Dylan McDermott, Kevin J. O'Connor, Bill McCutcheon, Ann Wedgeworth, Janine Turner

Cinematography

John A. Alonzo

Director

Herbert Ross

Music

Georges Delerue

Producer

Tri-Star Pictures

Awards

Golden Globes 1990: Support. Actress (Roberts).