Steel Magnolias (1989)

Set in a small Louisiana parish, a close knit group of Southern ladies congregate around the local beauty parlor. The story opens with the wedding of Shelby (Julia Roberts in an Oscar nominated performance) and her mother's (Sally Field) concern for her health and her future. The bride to be suffers from a serious form of diabetes which makes childbirth dangerous. Based on the play by Robert Harling (who adapted his play for the screen) and directed by Herbert Ross (THE GOODBYE GIRL). Harling opens up his play considerably which on the stage took place entirely at the beauty salon owned by Truvy (Dolly Parton) and had an all female cast. If you didn't know it, you'd never guess its theatrical roots. If it seems overly calculated and sentimental at times, the humor and wonderful ensemble cast override any such concerns (or at least they did mine). It's warm and it's funny but also quite poignant. The delicate score is by Georges Delerue. With Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis, Tom Skerritt, Sam Shepard and Dylan McDermott.