Steel Magnolias Analysis

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Steel Magnolias is a movie about the lives of six southern women and the drama that unfolds during a difficult period in their lives. As you can probably guess, there are tears, laughter and drama galore. The move is set in Chinquapin Parish, a small southern town in rural Louisiana. During the opening credits it draws you into the peaceful small town charm: beautiful homes, lush landscapes, blooming trees, shrubs and people lounging on their front porch. A young woman walks across a town that appears to be pulled straight from a Norman Rockwell painting, then gunshots! It’s the wedding day and there can be no birds pooping on the reception. You just got on the roller coaster; hang on! This movie will bring about every emotion you have I’ve introduced you to Shelby and M’Lynn already; now let me introduce you to Clairee Belcher, played by Olympia Dukakis. Clairee is a wealthy widow of the former mayor of Chinquapin Parish, is a refined southern lady and lover of gossip. Truvy Jones, played by Dolly Parton, is a small town “glamour technician”, gossip and reader of “Southern Hair Magazine”. She believes that “there is no such thing as natural beauty”. Many of the scenes in this movie take place in her beauty shop. Anelle Dupuy, played by Daryl Hannah, is a young woman straight out of beauty school and trying to start over in a new town after her husband mysteriously disappears, along with most of her belongings. Last but not least, we have Ouiser Boudreaux, played by Shirley MacLaine. She is abrasive, eccentric, rude and “richer than God”. She also happens to be my favorite character in the movie. The chemistry between these great actresses is what makes this movie one of the best, if not the best I’ve ever seen. When they are all together, it is movie magic! The dialogue and emotions that are so perfectly portrayed by all, will only leave you wanting more. Some of the gossip sessions are very dramatic and will bring you to tears, but some are so funny you’ll want to pee your pants. As Truvy states in the movie, “laughter through tears is my favorite emotion” and this movie delivers

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