Steel Magnolias (2012)
While everyone’s seen the original Steel Magnolias, not everyone has seen the 2012 television remake. I actually liked the remake far better than the original, so I recommend giving it a chance if you didn’t like the ’80s version. If you did like the story, you’ll probably enjoy seeing another group of women acting out Robert Harling’s play.
In the original version, there was an estrogen-fest vibe that overwhelmed the rest of the movie. I wasn’t able to get immersed in the dramatic story, since I was so obviously supposed to chuckle when Dolly Parton et al would give a quip. Their bonds of friendship seemed to rest on adding humor to very sad situations and not really delving into their feelings. In this remake, I truly felt the friendship. The group of women weren’t merely actresses reciting lines, each wanting her timing to stand out amongst the rest; they were friends with shared history and memories. It felt far less of a wordy, witty stage play than the original did. If you like that style, stick with Sally Field.
I’ll stick with Queen Latifah, who brings heart and depth to the role of M’Lynn (although she looked far too young to be playing the mother!). Sweet, innocent Shelby is played by Condola Rashad, and Queenie’s loyal friends are Alfre Woodard, Phylicia Rashad, Adepero Oduye, and Jill Scott. It really all boils down to which cast you want to start with, since no woman is going to escape Steel Magnolias her entire life. Do you want to see Shirley MacLaine walk through her one-liners, or do you want to see Alfre Woodard’s tender expressions behind her support? Did you love Olympia Dukakis’s limited delivery, or did you think there was room for improvement? Is Sally Field believable as a devoted mother, or would you rather see someone with better acting chops taking the lead?
I think you can tell which version I recommend. Give it a shot, and if you don’t like it, go back and rent the pseudo-comedy original. Steel Magnolias is such a dramatic story, I just don’t see the point in trying to make it as funny as possible. If I suffered as M’Lynn suffered and all my friends did was quip one-liners, I’d want new friends.
More Queen Latifah movies here!
Be sure to check out hot Toasty Rag's review of 1989's Steel Magnolias here!
In the original version, there was an estrogen-fest vibe that overwhelmed the rest of the movie. I wasn’t able to get immersed in the dramatic story, since I was so obviously supposed to chuckle when Dolly Parton et al would give a quip. Their bonds of friendship seemed to rest on adding humor to very sad situations and not really delving into their feelings. In this remake, I truly felt the friendship. The group of women weren’t merely actresses reciting lines, each wanting her timing to stand out amongst the rest; they were friends with shared history and memories. It felt far less of a wordy, witty stage play than the original did. If you like that style, stick with Sally Field.
I’ll stick with Queen Latifah, who brings heart and depth to the role of M’Lynn (although she looked far too young to be playing the mother!). Sweet, innocent Shelby is played by Condola Rashad, and Queenie’s loyal friends are Alfre Woodard, Phylicia Rashad, Adepero Oduye, and Jill Scott. It really all boils down to which cast you want to start with, since no woman is going to escape Steel Magnolias her entire life. Do you want to see Shirley MacLaine walk through her one-liners, or do you want to see Alfre Woodard’s tender expressions behind her support? Did you love Olympia Dukakis’s limited delivery, or did you think there was room for improvement? Is Sally Field believable as a devoted mother, or would you rather see someone with better acting chops taking the lead?
I think you can tell which version I recommend. Give it a shot, and if you don’t like it, go back and rent the pseudo-comedy original. Steel Magnolias is such a dramatic story, I just don’t see the point in trying to make it as funny as possible. If I suffered as M’Lynn suffered and all my friends did was quip one-liners, I’d want new friends.
More Queen Latifah movies here!
Be sure to check out hot Toasty Rag's review of 1989's Steel Magnolias here!