Search - Steel Magnolias on DVD

Gloria B. (glowbird) from SPOKANE, WA
Reviewed on 8/30/2013...

I wanted to love this movie. And while I totally admire all of these acteresses individually (Queen Latifah, Alfre Woodard, Phylicia Rachad, Jill Scott), and love the movies I've seen them in, this version did not strike a cord with me. I still totally admire the effort put into making this film. It speaks to art (play writing turned to script for film), and interpretations of that work. It chooses actresses to embody the words of the script put to film, and records it for posterity. Phylicia Rashad is a right on choice for her character, quite possibly the only one. Queen Latifah and Alfre Woodard do justifiable jobs for their roles. The director for this version, however, didn't seem to be able to draw the best from Jill Scott, who is a wonderful actress, but as Truvi, her role is the heart of the story, and the center where the sisterhood gathers, but you just don't get a sense of her disappointment. The biggest disappointment, to me, was the choice of the actress playing Shelby. If they had chosen Jordan Sparks to play that role, wow, maybe I'd have cared. Condola Rashad, Phylicia Rashad's real life daughter, just didnt do it for me. She delivered the lines, but just didn't garner the empathy. Maybe that was the overall downfall? I'd have to watch it again to see what it is about the film that leaves me feeling unfulfilled. Despite all of this, I'd keep this movie as a great example of artistic license. It's a play. And I appreciate and applaud all of these women for taking it on.

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