There is a genre of film that men seem to dread. Something on our masculine
‘Y’ chromosome genetically predispositions us to run in abject terror when our
wives or girlfriends put a film like this in the DVD player. What could cause
men to shiver is fear like this? It is the dreaded chick flick and Fried Green
Tomatoes is perhaps one of the better ones out there. Let’s face it guys, this
is the 21st century and we should at least show some signs of
advancing emotionally. After almost 32 years of marriage my wife has me well
trained enough to appreciate Tomatoes for what it is, a well crafted and
emotionally complete film. If you really have to guys watch this film next to
the lady in your life with a beer in hand and wearing your favorite team jersey.
Ninny Threadgoode (Jessica Tandy) may be confined to a nursing home but
rather than wallow is despair she faces life through her memories of the past
and weaving stories for Evelyn Couch (Kathy Bates). Evelyn is a bored,
overweight housewife you soon becomes inspired by Ninny’s tales of times long
gone. Most of Ninny’s stories concern two women that ran the Whistle Stop Café
in Whistle Stop, Alabama. The south in the 30’s was a lot different than we know
it today. Racism wasn’t even considered a problem; it was a way of life that
separated the blacks and whites in a community. Women, especially southern
women, were supposed to be demure and house bound something Idgie Threadgoode
(Mary Stuart Masterson) and her partner Ruth Jamison (Mary-Louise Parker) could
not accept. The young women are complete opposites but became best of friends.
Idgie grew up as a tomboy, ready to make her way in a man’s world. In contrast
Ruth is shy and retiring. Ruth was engaged to Idgie’s brother Buddy (Chris
O'Donnell). Ruth winds up marrying Frank Bennett (Nick Searcy) instead and the
union was not well matched. Frank was abusive and cruel to his wife. Idgie talks
Ruth into leaving him and together the two friends raises Ruth’s baby financing
the endeavor with the café. Later on Idgie and her trusted manservant Big George
(Stan Shaw) would stand trial for the untimely death of Frank.
A friendship between two very different women also blossoms in the present.
Evelyn accompanies her husband Ed (Gailard Sartain) to the nursing home to visit
his aunt. She wanders off and comes upon Ninny and the tales of the past become
almost addictive to Evelyn. The lamented Evelyn is a woman that is defined by
others all of her life. She was her father’s daughter and now she is Ed’s wife.
Desperate for an identity of her own she finds strength and resolve hearing the
stories of Idgie and Ruth. There is one moment that has become a Hollywood
classic as the once deferring Evelyn rams into the car of a pair of insulting
girls. In this moment the audience can see that Evelyn no longer see her self
through the eyes of others; she is her own woman with a mind of her own.
One thing that keeps this film from achieving its potential is the flashback
format. This is extremely tricky for a director to pull off and while a very
good job is done some of the contrasts between the two time periods are lost in
the shuffle. On the other side of the coin the emotional impact of this film
holds together and can pull in the most macho man out there. The stories are
honest portrayal of women in different times but facing much the same in the way
of problems. While Ed was not abusive like Fred he did hold Evelyn back just as
Ruth needed emancipation from her restraints. Director Jon Avnet manages as best
as possible with the split time periods and keeps to what is important here, the
saving power of a true, deep friendship. The women watching can directly relate
to their own best girlfriends while the men can get into a little glimpse at the
other gender. Many have noted that the film was diluted from the popular book by
Fannie Flagg. For one thing the relationship between Idgie and Ruth was a lot
more intimate in the novel and more time was given to the overt hatred and
violence of the times.
There is absolutely no doubt that this is a stellar cast. The four main
female roles are each given to actresses of paramount talent and ability.
Jessica Tandy spent most of her life entertaining others. She mastered stage and
screen as few actors ever could. Many actresses seem to fade away with age some
of her best roles where those of a more mature woman. In Tomatoes she is not
only the story teller but the emotional rock for the rest of the cast. Mary
Stuart Masterson is another life long professional actress. From her first on
screen lines when she was nine to present day Masterson has made a career of
playing strong willed women and was perfect for the role of Idgie. Masterson
gives strength to her character one borne from a rising above a repressive time
for the women of the American South. Playing the perfect counterpoint to Ms
Masterson is Mary-Louise Parker. Parker also plays a woman of great inner
strength but is initially unaware of what heights she is capable of reaching.
Kathy Bates is perhaps one of the most versatile actresses around today. While
she is best know for roles where she plays women that are demented or able to
steam roll through a man’s world here her character has the person personal
growth arc. Bates is as believable as the put upon Evelyn in the beginning of
the film as she is as the self realized woman at the end.
Universal has released a special, extended edition of the film with over 15
minutes of added material not seen in the theatrical cut. Most of the additions
just flesh out the character development but doesn’t really change the film
significantly. The anamorphic 1.85:1 video is good but some of the colors were
muted. The contrast was true with excellent boundaries between the light and
dark. The Dolby 5.1 audio is under used. The sub woofer is mostly silent.
Considering the type of film this is completely acceptable. The director’s
commentary by Jon Avnet is far above average. It is a mini course in film
direction complete with how he envisioned the interaction of the characters. The
featurette "Moment’s of Discovery: The Making of Fried Green Tomatoes" was also
better than the usual self promoting faire seen on DVD. It goes into more depth
not only with the actors but the writer and director as well. There are also
some of the obligatory deleted scenes and outtakes to round out the disc. One
other little extra is a little cookbook for recipes from the café. This is
definitely something for the ladies but it holds a charm that will not be lost
on the guys out there.
Posted 6/8/06