Review of Steel Magnolias (2012) by Sarah M — 07 Jul 2018

As a person who has always glorified the idea of a charming southern town that values community, I thought that Steel Magnolias was a treat to watch!

Although on the surface it seems like a rather silly movie about women gossiping in a beauty parlor, the movie does a wonderful job of questioning societal norms, gender roles, and what it means to be a mother. The steady pace at which we see the our group of women foster a friendship really helps the viewer understand how important community is in facing hard times. Sally Field really set the president for worried mother, and her emotional breakdown feels so visceral and real it had me tearing up on the plane!

I think when it comes to movies about the south, it always feels a bit conflicting. The presence of black men and women is miniscuel, and there are a few shots that feel all together very aryan. It's troubling to me to watch white washed movies, but I do think that aside from race it felt like a more real idea of what a community in the south looks like in real life.