The truth is,that for my generation at least, not a lot about this movie is 'easy to relate to'. I've never lost a sibling to a railway accident, tamed wild bees or saved a beloved friend from an abusive marriage- but maybe it's what we haven't experienced that makes us feel so much while watching this gem. We want to be that alive- longing for the kindred spirit like Idgie found in Ruth or even an emotional awakening like Evelyn Couch found though Idgie's stories. I know that I have a hard time finding a film that makes me feel more alive, vicariously or otherwise, than Jon Avnet's Fried Green Tomatoes.
Most of the film is narrated by elderly nursing home resident, Ninny Threadgoode, to Evelyn Couch (Cathy Bates) an over weight and under appreciated house wife, with nothing to live for but the snickers bars she hides under her pillow. Bates role was memorable for one line only, "TOWANDA". She gains empowerment through Ninny's stories- which are all about two friends from the deep south, who's bonds were stronger than anything Evelyn had ever experienced. I'm sure that Bate's character has long arms to reach the women of age, and pull them in to the plot- however, many of her struggles were lost on me: her husband's indifference to her, the world's unsympathetic nature and the idea that time was passing her by all drove her deeper into Ninny Threadgoode's stories. For me, Bate's raw talent was wasted on this role- which was flat and faulted. As for Ninny and Evelyn's relationship, it was the only plot hole that I found to be the least bit difficult to relate to. I often found myself asking: why Evelyn was driving to the nursing home to continually hear stories from a women she had no relation to? Sure the stories are good, but are they worth sitting in that uncomfortable visitors lounge for hours smelling sterile bandages and peppermint?
In my eyes, the saving grace of this movie was Idgie and Ruth's relationship to one another- if there were no Evelyn Couch or Ninny Threadgood, and the film solely focued on the young girls in their cafe- nothing would be missed.
Mary-Louise Parker gives a stand up performance as straight-laced Ruth Jamison- long before she ever stole the lime light in WEEDS- she was a doe eyed beauty who holds the heart of Idgie's older brother, Buddy. Mary Stuart Masterson plays wild eyed Idgie- the original tom boy, whom any man in town would gladly try to tame. I think that this role fit her well enough, that every part she's played since then has been down right forgetable... in fact, I can't think of a single one I'd watch her in again, save for this one. After Buddy's tragic death, Idgie's mother looks for Ruth to be a good influence in her impetuous daughter. Things don't exactly go according to Mama Threadgoode's plan- and the two quickly become the best of friends- as well as playfully bad influences on each other. On down the line, Ruth marries an abusive man- and becomes pregnant. Idgie rescues her from her abuser, and brings her home, where the two open a restaurant together 'the whistle stop cafe', serving what else- but fried green tomatoes. Thus reiterating the idea that the love of two friends is more fervent than that of any man- which leads to my next point: the novel that the movie is based off of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, is one in which Ruth and Idgie are not only kindred spirits, but they're lovers as well. All of this was taken out of the movie to make it more palatable for the American public. Back in '91, a down home lesbian comedy probably wouldn't have been the wisest thing for the studio. Ellen didn't even come out until '97... The critics did give Avnet a lot of flack for drifting so far from the book, but in the end he received an award from GLAAD for 'best lesbian content'. I'd wager that most Americans still don't realize that Ruth and Idgie's food fight scene was the closest thing to their love making that made it into the final cut.
This movie calls us to action- to find those small whistle stop towns of the US- long since abandoned and boarded up; I guarantee that it will drive you to appreciate, and even imagine what was there fifty or a hundred years ago- a school house- a department store, or a cafe perhaps? maybe two girls inside having a food fight :)
Overall Score: On the grading scale from MUST SEE to AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE- I'd give this film a solid Must See- but the elements have to be right- get comfy, watch it by yourself if you have to, in order to fully open yourself up to the emotional elements- By all means watch it with your mother or grandmother, and see what interesting stories come out of it :)
To finish it off- here's a recipe to go along with this iconic movie. Mmmmm... tates like memories :)
First comment!!!! :D Like it. And I didn't know it was a book first, nor that they were...more best friends. Innnnnteresting!
ReplyDeleteoops! "more *than*"
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