Steel Magnolias

The loves, lives and losses of six Southern women of different ages, fortunes and temperaments, united by a feisty self-confidence, irrepressible humour, and steely fortitude in the face of life's setbacks. It takes place over several years - much of it set in the beauty parlour run by Dolly Parton - from the wedding of beautiful Shelby Eatenton (Roberts), through the birth of her first child and her untimely death. The plot's main thrust deals with diabetic Shelby's determination, against the wishes of her mom (Field) to have a child despite the risks. Thanks to Field's no-nonsense performance, this potentially maudlin scenario is briskly handled. Set against flower-like Shelby (a strong, sensitive characterisation by Roberts) are two raddled fairy godmothers: MacLaine and Dukakis, revelling in some wonderful one-liners. With all the male characters kept strictly functional, it makes a shameless bid for your heart, aiming to have you smiling one moment, sniffling the next.