VHS : Steel Magnolias [1990]

Rating: - A gem of a film.....
I have watched this film many, many times over the years and it's still as great as the first time I watched it. A superstar cast brings with it quality acting and a superb script. Don't think I've ever watched it without crying, so if you're a Steel Magnolias virgin, or coming back to it for a repeat viewing - be sure to have the tissues at the ready....
It also has one of my all-time favourite quotes, which is something I live by...
"I'd rather have one moment of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special" - simply beautiful!

Obviously if you like your no-brainer action car-chase movies, this isn't for you. If you want a simple story of lives and friendships, beautifully written and flawless performances, with depth and character - this is essential viewing.

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Rating: - What an INCREDIBLE Masterpiece!
No matter how many times I watch this film, I am NEVER bored. In fact, I am captivated til the bitter sweet end.

The film focuses on the collective and individual lives of 6 women of various ages, who have had their highs and lows. The main focus is on the mother/daughter relationship played by Sally Field and Julia Roberts.

You see the strong bond of parent and child and your heart physically hurts at the tragic and emotive parts. I have never been so moved in my life. I cried so much as it felt so real.

The winning peformance had to be from Sally Field. I don't know if it was for this film that she won an Oscar but it darn well should be for this film! Seeing her distraught, angry, heartbroken and inconsolable was just utterly moving-I felt exactly the way she did. You're immediately able to empathise and you just want to go through the tv and scream with her. I've never watched a movie that could make me feel so much.

It truly is an inspiration and one of those rare movie gems that you don't get in this day and age.

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Rating: - A superb show!
First of all I must say I was very impressed with the quality of the DVD itself. The film is among my all time favourites and I find myself laughing out loud and then crying tears of sadness. The cast is truely wonderful, including the likes of Julia Roberts, Sally Field, Dolly Parton etc. Shirley MacLaine and Olympia Dukakis are also a great comedy duo bouncing off one another so well. The film shows how friends and family support each other in times of great sorrow and joy.

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Rating: - Love this film!
I'm sure that any film reviewer would not put this in his list of the top 10 films of all time, but it is way up there in my personal list. It is just a great feel good film which over a period of several years depicts the lives of several women as the get on with life as best they can. Dolly Parton, Olympia Dukakis, Sally Field, Shirley McLaine, Daryl Hannah, and Julia Roberts star. All aspects of life are there, right from birth to death and theres some great comedy in there too tyhough the film is not a comedy. Dukakis and Mclaine's one liners and constant bickering is a joy from start to finish. The film is set in the 'deep south' of the US, which seems to give the comedy a bit more bite'... well okay then it gets down right bitchy at times but always tongue in cheek.
A great Sunday afternoon film. May make your eyes water and tug at your heart strings but well worth a look!

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Rating: - Fantastic film
I'm not a fan of Julia Roberts; her presence is usually enough to make me shun a film. She was terrific in this, though her accent was terrible (she's originally from Georgia; the accent in Louisiana is different). All of the other actresses turned in superb performances (even though nobody's accent was right)!

This film often doesn't go down well with British audiences because they don't really understand the culture in the American south. As a Texan (right next to Louisiana) I'm much more able to understand the jokes and the biting humor. I recommend that you Brits grab an American friend...preferably one from the American south...to explain the jokes to you!

The plot is great because it's actually based on a true story, which means it's both stranger and better than fiction. The film centers on six women of various ages and various economic classes over a period of a couple of years and follows their hardships, triumphs, and friendships with each other. It's a great "chick" movie; men usually hate it.