I'm the sappy type. Not a time goes by whenever I hear the story of Buddy Threadgoode, Ruth Jameson, and Idgie Threadgoode that I don't get a little teary eyed now and then. When the first train accident occurred, I started bawling like a baby. When Ruth dies, I cried the whole time the clock was stopped, the pictures were covered, and throughout the funeral. You see, Fried Green Tomatoes is a sad movie, one of the saddest I've seen, and one of the saddest that makes me sad each and every time I watch it. It's a story of life, love, friendship, commitment, and what it takes to realize in life that life is far more important than any troubles you may have.

Franie Flagg wrote the book that this movie is based on and as far as I can tell her book makes the transition to the world of film without a page torn. Granted the book is always better than the movie, but the adaptation was perfect in that it captured the essence of the book and brought it to the screen.

Just as Fried Green Tomatoes is joyous and funny, it’s also very emotional and sad. If you don’t like tear-jerkers than you are advised to steer clear of this movie. Besides the normal “ending of the movie” cry that occurs in most period pieces similar to Fried Green Tomatoes; within the first few minutes you will be breaking into the tissues. It’s quite amazing that a movie within the first five minutes alone can set up the characters and our emotional connection to them enough to make us cry at particular early outcomes.

The movie is littered with big stars (at the time), including one of my most favorite actresses of all time, Kathy Bates. No matter what she touches--her films always overflow with her genuine abilities as an actress. I even liked her in Titanic, although I was a little disappointed by her rather brief appearance. I figured she couldn't pass up on the chance to play someone historically famous, even if her one moment in the limelight came while in a rescue boat while muttering the words "Oh, My God" in the freezing air.

Here, in FGT, Kathy Bates plays an overweight woman who desperately wants to understand her life, yet is unable to do so, mainly because her close friends seek help in the form of self-help groups, and her husband would rather pay more attention to his food, beer, and football game, than her. Now, I'll say this, if Kathy Bates and I were to trade places, instead of giving him a massage while he sat in his sweat eating food I had slaved over, I would of picked up one of those chicken legs with the "good scold on them" and smacked him across the face.

As for Jessica Tandy, I really enjoyed her performance in FGT and wish she was still around. She reminded me so much of my grandmother. Always sweet, always willing to tell a story, gleeful in her old age, but also stern when confronted. A family teacher, who doesn't say what is right because she believes her age demands respect and makes it right, but a woman who has seen plenty of life and gives advice simply because she wishes the best out of you. Although off the top of my head I can only remember Miss Jessica Tandy in the films: Cocoon, Batteries Not Included, and Driving Miss Daisy, I'm positive that she had an even bigger film career before I came into this world. When I look at today, I don't see anyone who closely resembles her gift or craft in their old age. She was truly one of a kind.

In Fried Green Tomatoes, Tandy acts as the narrator and story teller who depicts the film at hand. She mentors in a way Miss Kathy through her stories of remembering the times she shared with Idgie and Ruth. Throughout the entire movie you are left a little unsure as to exactly who she is during the lengthy flashback scenes, but that doesn't matter a bit. The story in Fried Green tomatoes is more powerful than any of the characters alone. It's the story that at least for me keeps me coming back time and time again.

The story is all about friendship. The best kind. The kind that's in your hearts. When every waking moment you feel a special attachment to someone else no matter what life throws at you. Granted like in anyone's story, this bond requires time plus a few hurdles to overcome; but soon enough you'll realize that you were meant to be in each others lives. Through thick and thin. And even through murder and death.

Mary Stuart Masterson and Mary Louise Parker give excellent performances portraying the two close friends Idgie and Ruth who slowly across time create a strong bond that cannot be broken. They are forced to deal with the death of family members, drinking, spousal abuse, kidnapping, prejudice, and even a murder trial. It may see like a lot for any two characters to go throughout within the context of a single film, but it never feels like situations are created simply to keep the story progressing. All of the emotions, especially strong emotions, don’t seem acted in anyway. It’s like they were there in River Stop, like this film was meant for them.

One other special aspect about FGT that I did like to see is how the black characters were portrayed. So often in period pieces back when there was an abundance of racism (even though some still lingers today) black characters have an important part but are normally stereotyped into particular actions and character reactions. Plus they normally operate on a much lower level throughout the course of the film. In FGT both Stan Shaw (Big George) and Cicely Tyson (Sipsey) give powerful performances that stand on their own along with the performances of Kathy Bates, Mary Stuart Masterson, Mary-Louise Parker, and Jessica Tandy. Of particular notice is the excellent strong performance done by Cicely Tyson who has said she will only act in films where there is a positive educational and entertaining message about black women.

Overall, Fried Green Tomatoes is an excellent heartwarming story that details how strong friendship can be across the years and across the generations. It was adapted from a well written book by Fannie Flagg (she did the screen adaptation) and all of the essence of the book is perfectly captured within the context of the film. I've put FGT so high on my list of favorite movies, for, every time I see it while channel surfing I always pause and watch it. Very few movies do that to me. I guess in a way the power of the movie moves me. Can't say the same about most films.


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Good Date Movie