Steel Magnolias

An Earnest Lifetime Interpretation: A Pleasant, If Not Particularly Essential, Adaptation Of A Beloved Movie Hit
I had almost no desire to write commentary about the Lifetime Original movie "Steel Magnolias." I'm no big fan of the original, although I understand its enduring popularity. And I'm no big fan of this interpretation, although it's a perfectly respectable adaptation. The thing that pushed me into a review was a detracting statement in one of the other blurbs that proclaimed "this attempt is about as bad as a white version of The Color Purple would be." There's a lot that I could say about such a comment for any variety of reasons, but I'll let you judge it on its own merits. First of all, though, let me just state that "Steel Magnolias" started life as a play. Plays are frequently reinterpreted through the years (oftentimes successfully, sometimes not) and restaged. Playwright Robert Harling (who also wrote the 1989 screenplay for the film) was the first to have the idea of adapting his work into a piece for African American women. It's a perfectly legitimate, if not entirely...

Didn't quite make the mark
I was very disappointed in this remake. It was like watching a community theater production of Steel Magnolias. The only saving grace was Alfre Woodard. The rest of the cast's performance was forced at best. Was hoping for so much more from Kenny Leon. Fail.

Disappointment!
I was really excited about this remake because of all the great actors involved. The movie was mostly driven by heavy-handed mood music and with pretty muted acting. Nothing recommends this movie over the original.

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