Fried Green Tomatoes is a 1991 American drama movie directed by Jon Avnet. It is set in 1920s and 1980s Birmingham, Alabama and is based on a novel by Fannie Flagg called Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe. The movie stars Kathy Bates, Jessica Tandy, Mary-Louise Parker and Mary Stuart Masterson.
| Fried Green Tomatoes | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Jon Avnet |
| Written by | Fannie Flagg Carol Sobieski |
| Produced by | Jon Avnet Norman Lear |
| Starring | Kathy Bates Jessica Tandy Mary-Louise Parker Mary Stuart Masterson |
| Cinematography | Geoffrey Simpson |
| Edited by | Debra Neil-Fisher |
| Music by | Jo Jo Hailey K-Ci Hailey Thomas Newman |
| Distributed by | Universal Studios |
Release date | December 27, 1991 |
Running time | 136 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Plot
In Birmingham, Alabama, a woman called Evelyn goes to a nursing home to visit her mother-in-law and meets an elderly woman called Ninny. They become friends. Ninny tells Evelyn stories about when she was younger, and about the people she used to know. In particular, she tells Evelyn about two young women, Idgie and Ruth.
In Ninny's stories, Idgie and Ruth are friends who run a café together and raise Ruth's son Buddy. Ruth has separated from her husband Frank because he used to hit her. One day, Frank goes missing and the police begin to think that Idgie has killed him.
Ninny tells Evelyn her stories over several visits. During that time, Evelyn, who was depressed, is inspired by Ruth and Idgie to have more power in her life. In the end, Ninny goes to live with Evelyn and her husband. There is a hint that Ninny and Idgie might be the same person.
Cast
- Kathy Bates as Evelyn Couch
- Mary Stuart Masterson as Idgie Threadgoode
- Mary-Louise Parker as Ruth Jamison
- Jessica Tandy as Ninny Threadgoode
- Cicely Tyson as Sipsey
- Chris O'Donnell as Buddy Threadgoode
- Stan Shaw as Big George
- Gailard Sartain as Ed Couch
- Timothy Scott as Smokey Lonesome
- Gary Basaraba as Grady Kilgore
- Lois Smith as Mama Threadgoode
- Danny Nelson as Papa Threadgoode
Differences from the novel
There are some differences between the movie and the novel it was made from. In the novel, Idgie and Ruth are a lesbian couple. In the movie they may be just friends.[1] The director, John Avnet said that he wanted viewers to make up their own minds. In one part of the movie, Idgie and Ruth have a food fight. Avnet said that the food fight is symbolic of love-making.[2] When it was released, some critics and LGBT activists were angry that the lesbian part of the story had been "glossed over".[1][3] Even though the lesbian content had been hidden, the movie won an award from the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) for best feature movie with lesbian content.[4]
Another difference is that at the end of the movie, it seems possible that Ninny is really Idgie. In the novel, they are completely separate characters and are sisters-in-law.
Reception
The movie was nominated for two Academy Awards and two BAFTA awards.[5]
References
Other websites
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