Steel Magnolias
Steel Magnolias

Steel Magnolias

1989Movie117 minEnglish

A young beautician, newly arrived in a small Louisiana town, finds work at the local salon, where a small group of women share a close bond of friendship and welcome her into the fold.

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Insights

IMDb7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes57%
Metacritic54/100
Google Users86%
Director: Herbert RossGenres: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

In a small Southern town, a group of eccentric and fiercely loyal women gather regularly at a local beauty salon. Through triumphs and tragedies, their enduring friendships provide comfort, strength, and plenty of laughter. The story focuses on the complex relationships between these women as they navigate life's challenges, particularly the impending marriage of the youngest member and a devastating illness.

Critical Reception

Steel Magnolias was a commercial success and received generally positive reviews, with many critics praising its heartwarming story, strong performances, and blend of humor and pathos. Audience reception was also very favorable, resonating with its themes of friendship and resilience.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its stellar ensemble cast and effective blend of comedy and drama.
  • Appreciated for its authentic portrayal of Southern womanhood and enduring friendships.
  • Some critics found the sentimentality occasionally overwhelming, but the performances largely elevated the material.

Google audience: Audiences largely embraced Steel Magnolias, finding it a heartwarming and tear-jerking depiction of female friendship and community support. Many viewers connected with the relatable characters and the emotional journey the film presented, making it a beloved classic for its blend of humor and heartfelt moments.

Awards & Accolades

Julia Roberts received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Shelby.

Fun Fact

Dolly Parton wrote and performed the film's original theme song, 'We Are Friends'.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
kevin2019

kevin2019

"Steel Magnolias" is an emotionally barren experience throughout as it attempts to emulate the feeble "Beaches" (1988) and it largely accomplishes the same startling underachievement as that memorably lacklustre film. This time around we ar...
GenerationofSwine

GenerationofSwin...

You can tell from the start that this was adapted from the stage. The dialogue--for the most part--has the same earnest theatrics as your average play, and honestly it works fairly well in a knock-off Tennessee Williams kind of way. And ...