Steel Magnolias, directed by Herbert Ross and based on Robert Harling’s semi-autobiographical play, is a heartfelt, humorous, and deeply moving drama that captures the vibrant spirit and enduring loyalty of a group of Southern women. Set in the fictional Louisiana parish of Chinquapin, the film centers on a core theme: that women can be as delicate and beautiful as magnolia flowers, yet as tough and resilient as steel.
The plot’s central hub is Truvy’s Beauty Salon, the local gathering spot run by the outspoken and generous Truvy Jones (Dolly Parton). It is here that the personal and professional lives of six very different women constantly intertwine.
The story begins amidst the joyous chaos of a wedding—that of the beautiful and headstrong Shelby Eatenton (Julia Roberts), the daughter of the highly protective M’Lynn Eatenton (Sally Field).
As the years pass, the salon becomes a confessional, a sanctuary, and a staging ground for all of life’s major events, from baptisms to breakups.
The core group includes the wealthy and recently widowed Clairee Belcher (Olympia Dukakis), the hilariously cantankerous neighborhood grump Ouiser Boudreaux (Shirley MacLaine), and the shy, religious new salon employee, Annelle Dupuy Desoto (Daryl Hannah).
The women navigate life’s inevitable challenges—health scares, professional changes, and personal conflicts—always leaning on one another for support, delivered through a unique mix of acerbic wit and unwavering love.
Shelby’s personal life, particularly her marriage to Jackson Latcherie (Dylan McDermott), is a key emotional thread.
M’Lynn’s stoic husband, Drum Eatenton (Tom Skerritt), and other supporting figures like Sammy (Kevin J. O’Connor) and Spud Jones (Sam Shepard) provide the male perspective to the family and town dynamics.
Bibi Besch, Ann Wedgeworth and Janine Turner round out the cast.
Roberts won Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture at the Golden Globes.
Julia Roberts in Steel Magnolias (Photo/TriStar Pictures)
Reception for Steel Magnolias
Steel Magnolias grossed $5.4 million on its opening weekend, finishing fourth at the box office.
The film remained in the top 10 for 16 weeks en route to grossing $96.8 million worldwide.
Roger Ebert gave the film three out of four stars in his review.
Legacy
Steel Magnolias‘ powerful legacy is cemented by its phenomenal ensemble cast and its status as the definitive film about female friendship and communal grief.
It is beloved for its instantly quotable dialogue and its honest portrayal of the strength found in sisterhood. The film offers a lasting portrait of courage and humor in the face of life’s hardest blows.
