Friday 11 March 2016

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe (1991 Jon Avnet)

Hadn't been out long then when we watched (a bit of) it on our wedding night. Cherishably written by Fannie Flagg and Carol Sobieski, backed by still potent score from Thomas Newman.

Kathy Bates and Jessica Tandy steal the acting honours, though you have to credit Mary-Louise Parker and Mary Stuart Masterson; plus Stan Shaw (Big George), Cicely Tyson (Sipsy), Timothy Scott (Smokey Lonesome), Chris O'Donnell (Buddy), Gailard Sartain (overweight husband), Gary Basaraba (cop).

We deduce the character played by Jessica is Idgie Threadgood - she's credited as 'Ninny' - who the hell's Ninny otherwise??

I hadn't noticed before that when Kathy 'hears' the train right at the beginning it looks like you can see its passing reflection in the cafe windows, shot by Geoffrey Simpson.

Perfectly measured, just the right length, just the right pacing, balance, construction.


The scene with the bees must be real. They may be a Hollywood species of non-stinging bees, I suppose.

It's like your favourite old t-shirt. If it's just a 'chick flick' then I'm a Chinese-Peruvian monk.

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