FGT is the kind of movie that despite how many times you have watched it, you always spot something new in it. What’s more is that the movie is so damned believable. Every time I watch this movie, I cry. But, uh I won’t tell you exactly which scene causes the water works (for me). I mean, it is kinda personal. However, I will say that the scene is so well-done, you can’t help but burst into tears and reach for the Kleenex. The whole movie is this way. Anyone watching it can totally relate to at least one or more of the characters and when they laugh, you laugh; when they cry, you cry. The acting and direction is just that incredible.
I recently purchased the Anniversary Extended Version of FGT. In this particular version of the movie, deleted scenes were placed back into the movie. I had viewed some of these scenes previously during a specially televised version of the film, and wondered why they had been cut in the first place.... So, having the movie in what I perceived as the “whole” version was very important to me.
Hats off as well to the masterful acting by each and every one of the cast members involved in this project!!! The casting of this film included some truly talented individuals; especially Mary Stuart Masterson.... Whether she is a member of an ensemble cast or starring in a lead role (about previous movies I have seen her in), Masterson always displays talent and poise, no matter how challenging the role. I’ve seen her in movies that bombed at the box office, and have never been able to say one adverse word about her acting abilities. Masterson is a pro, and I loved her as Idgie Threadgoode. In fact, she's my favorite character in FGT.
In addition to the movie, the Anniversary Edition of FGT included a few extras, THE MOST notable being a documentary about the making of the movie. "In Moments of Discovery: The Making of FGT", we learn about the dedication of everyone involved in making this movie. I had always admired the ability of Mary Stuart Masterson & Mary Louise Parker, and their ability to portray the close bond of Friendship felt between the characters that they portrayed. In watching THIS documentary (a detail that caught my attention the most), I learned that the two had become fast friends on the set, and that they really weren’t acting when it came to the Friendship aspect of their character’s relationship. So, it's no wonder they had such chemistry! When they discussed the food fight scene, it was with fondness and genuine laughter. Much of the scene was mapped out, but a great deal of it was unscripted (like they wanted to improvise at times), and you could tell that the actresses had terrific fun in its creation!
"Moments of Discovery" also revealed (raises eyebrows) the difficulty of transforming a novel into a script, and still keeping the basic integrity of the novel. What they didn't realize themselves, is that they accidentally created "something else" entirely. Ahhh, if only they knew!!! (Chuckles) It would've been "A NEW" (and another) important Moment of Discovery for them indeed....
Anyway, watching FGT is a must for any serious movie fan (especially targeted to a certain kind of audience that 'gets an emotional rise out of watching two women get emotionally close'). Hear, hear!! It has everything – important messages delivered and wrapped in an incredibly enjoyable story (truly two stories in one), a fabulous soundtrack, fantastic acting, incredible scenery, attention to detail, and much more. Fried Green Tomatoes is er.... definitely a movie worth watching again and again and again and....
You know what, forget it. I've decided instead to tell you all about my (many) favorite scenes, and show you guys a virtual photo gallery of FGT. Just to let you know, my TOP EIGHT favorite scenes are:
1.) Idgie goes into the buzzing hive of a thousand bees just to get a little bit of honey for Ruth. That was a classic romantic friendship scene. I loved Ruth's loooooong look of total awe as Idgie 'charmed' these bees. She was standing in a frozen wide-eyed spellbound state. I can very easily imagine Ruth telling herself, "Wow, that is soooooo dangerous.... I can't believe another woman would do something like this for me. I'm so taken aback." That's when I knew Ruth was in love with Idgie. I also liked the way Idgie looked at Ruth as she was walking back towards her (with the honey already inside the lid).
2.) The special cheek kiss by the lake at night (before Ruth dipped into the water). I saw Idgie's reaction. That's when I knew she was in love with Ruth. You see, Idgie planned a surprise birthday party for her. So thoughtful... When Ruth first came in the room and everyone yelled surprise, I loved it when she slapped her friend, and said "IDGIE THREADGOODE!" like she couldn't believe it. After all, it was the best birthday party she ever had (in her life). They played baseball, got a little drunk, and playfully splashed each other at the lake.
3.) I totally loved the devastation Idgie seems to feel when finding out Ruth is getting married. Girls are usually happy when a friend is getting married. Idgie seems heartbroken, and Ruth acts like she is fulfilling a duty. I’ve NEVER KNOWN someone to not go to a friend’s wedding, but watch from a distance (with a lovelorn look in the eyes) as her friend starts her new life... HOWEVER, I have known someone IN LOVE to do just that. In fact, this is very typical and normal behavior within the realm of romantic friendships.
4.) When Ruth wanted Idgie to come and get her (so she can get away). I suppose when Ruth's mother died, she used that narrow window of opportunity (the perfect excuse) to send Idgie a hidden message within an obituary letter. It was from the bible; from the Book of Ruth. She neatly underlined a specific verse for Idgie to see, "And Ruth said, whither thou goest, I will go; where thou lodgest, I will lodge; thy people shall be my people." Then a look of mutual understanding befell Idgie and Mama Threadgoode. Because they both knew Ruth didn't just want to get away; she also wanted to "marry" Idgie and spend the rest of her life with her. And as we all know, Ruth & Naomi (from the bible) shared what was considered a "romantic friendship." In fact, they even wanted to be buried together.
5.) Celebrating the birth of baby Buddy Jr. That was a beautiful moment! By then, they were already living together in a Boston marriage. Idgie's Friend Ruth had already given birth to a boy (named after Idgie's brother). I loved how Idgie got all hyper and excited, and burst through the door exclaiming "Whoo! Shit! It's a boy!" to the large company downstairs (they cheered along with her of course). Even the town priest blessed the event of Ruth & Idgie's child. It is great to see them finally become a trio!! Idgie's parents were also really thrilled. In fact, Papa Threadgoode went out and borrowed money so Ruth & Idgie could start a cafe.
6.) Entire playful, affectionate and cute food fight scene between the silly gals. For a split-second there, I swear Idgie was gonna kiss Ruth again!! It all started with Idgie saying, "Here, try this." Ruth at first lied, and said it was okay. Idgie insisted she tell her 100% the truth. "They're terrible," Ruth finally admitted. Idgie then said, "Oh, well, don't be shy. Tell me how you feel." And Ruth certainly told Idgie just how she felt! Therefore, it's no wonder at the peak of the food fight, we see a hint of jealousy flash across Grady's face.
7.) Hearing the memorable line, "I'm as settled as I ever hope to be." You see, late at night in the cafe, Ruth tells Idgie that maybe she should leave so that Idgie could settle down (in the traditional sense). Idgie responds with "I'm as settled as I ever hope to be." Ruth clearly was implying that she felt she was a burden to Idgie, and if she left maybe Idgie would find someone else who didn't have the baggage and drama (Ku Klux Klan trouble, the unfolding murder case, baby daddy issues). Idgie made it clear that she wasn't going anywhere; she was sticking it out with her ladylove for the long haul. Idgie then got up, walked over to Ruth, and gently caressed her soft hair.
8.) A fresh note (every time) at the grave that says, "I'll always love you, the Bee Charmer." There is a fresh jar of honey sitting right next to the intimate note on the tombstone too. That was soooooo very sweet and romantic. I sort of cried. It is nice to know that Idgie is still alive somewhere (after so many years had passed). In fact, legend has it that Idgie is still out and about, charmin' bees and selling honey. Sometimes people think they catch a glimpse of her.
There is one aspect of FGT that I'd like to clear up. It was alluded (for a split-second) in the movie that both Ninny Threadgoode & Idgie Threadgoode were the same person. Of course, if we think with our 'emotional side', they certainly are. However, if we use our 'logical side' of the brain, it is plain clear they aren't.
Let's rewind to the beginning of the movie. Ninny first says she had a huge crush on Buddy. That wouldn't fit if Ninny was Idgie. Being in love with your own brother? Ewwww. Soon afterwards while still narrating, Ninny also says she was ADOPTED (not a part of) the Threadgoode family. In fact, Ninny VERY CLEARLY stated that she married Idgie's brother Cleo (to her listener Evelyn Couch). Think hard... Who is the lady that screams, "SHE'S GOING TO RUIN MY WEDDING!" in the beginning of the movie?? Is this Ninny? **hint, hint** And exactly who is she marrying? One of Buddy's brothers?? If "I"MOGENE LOUISE THREA"DG"OOD"E" can be reduced to just Idgie (as a nickname), then surely "C"har"le"s "O"sgood can also be Cleo for short. You all seem to have forgotten that... Yes, Ninny IS Leona, and has been married to Cleo (Charles Osgood Threadgoode) FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS. They even had a mentally retarded son, Albert (whose mind never developed pass the age of 5). Ninny had him with her until he was 30. Sooooo, where does that fit into the Ninny/Idgie equation? Things just aren't adding up.
In fact, Ninny (who is Leona) is actually the sister-in-law of both Idgie and Buddy. I mean, Buddy wasn't Idgie's ONLY BROTHER; he was Idgie's favorite brother. As quoted from the movie, "He was her BEST and MOST charming brother in the world." This clearly implies Idgie had other older brothers, and one of them was Cleo. Remember this too, the Threadgoode family was very large. It would be ridiculous to say Idgie and Buddy were THE ONLY children of Mama and Papa Threadgoode. Especially back then (in the early 1900's), it was very common to have six, seven or even eight brothers and sisters. This is just another important detail you all seem to have forgotten... Again yes, in the movie Ninny was actually Idgie's sister-in-law. That's how come Ninny knew so much about Idgie. They even had something special in common. Both of their children had significant disabilities (Ninny's son was retarded, and Idgie's adopted son Buddy Jr. lost his arm). It is no wonder then, they also share the same personal quote, "There is a separate God for children."
There's also no moment where Ninny acts ANYTHING like Idgie (earlier in the movie). Not once. I'll give you an important example. In the hospital Evelyn Couch once exclaimed to Ninny, "Well, I got mad and it felt terrific. I felt like I could beat the shit outta all those punks! Excuse my language. Just beat 'em to a pulp! Beat 'em 'til they begged for mercy. Towanda, The Avenger! After I wipe out all the punks of this world, I'll take on the wife beaters, like Frank Bennett, and machine gun their genitals. Towanda will go on the rampage! I'll put tiny bombs in Penthouse and Playboy so they'll explode when you open 'em. I'll ban all fashion models who weigh less than 130 pounds. I'll give half the military budget to people over 65... and declare wrinkles sexually desirable. Towanda, Righter of Wrongs, Queen Beyond Compare!" REMEMBER, Idgie was always wild, raised her voice a lot, known to be an ardent feminist, and a bit rough (and never scared of men). If Ninny & Idgie were the same person, Ninny would've easily responded to Evelyn with, "Yeah, baby!! Whoo-hoo! Now, that's what I'm talkin' about! I'm with you!!" But, Ninny acted all meek and sweet, even concerned (like she couldn't help her on this one) and said, "How many of them hormones you takin', honey?" This would not have been Idgie's reaction at all....
What's more, there is nothing in the movie that remains to make any sane, observant person think Ninny is Idgie, except that she happens to be in the cemetery where there's some honey at Ruth's grave. When would frail old grieving Ninny have gotten this honey, and where did she get the jar? HER HOUSE IS EVEN GONE.
Anyway, I like the fact that they allude to Ninny & Idgie being the same person -- it leaves a puzzle for us to figure out and talk about.... Is she or isn't she? Of course, in this case, the answer is NO. Overall, I think this whole thing was done just to add an element of drama, and to make us question the Ninny/Idgie conundrum.
There is one last thing I'd like to address. This is the only sole issue that truly 'bothered' and 'nagged' me. In fact, it sticked out in my mind long after the movie was over. Why, for the life of me, is this movie called, "Fried Green Tomatoes?" It doesn't make any sense at all. In fact, labeling the film FGT strongly implies that the 'main idea' or 'central theme' of the tale is about Idgie & Ruth opening the Whistle Stop Cafe, working together there, and making fried green tomatoes (laughs). This is completely false. I don't even want to know who came up with this. Because whoever it was, that person is not much different from Albert.
The 'MAIN IDEA' or 'CENTRAL THEME' of this epic tale focuses on Idgie, her unique Friendship with Ruth, and their joys, trials & tribulations of the Deep South. In my opinion, this movie should've been titled instead, "The Bee Charmer From Alabama."
In conclusion, Fried Green Tomatoes is truly a reflection of the rawest form of humanity, before Hollywood sugarcoats it with shimmering lip gloss or a makeup crew adds fake blood. It is a story about friends, living in the past and present, and coming together anytime someone needs help. It is a story about spiritual nourishment, not just about actual food. Most important of all, IT IS a story about Idgie & Ruth that deserves TO BE TOLD. Oh, yes... It is true, even if its roots drink from a river of fiction.
There is no doubt, Fried Green Tomatoes is one of the best movies ever made. Anyone learning about film, acting, story or writing should be required to study this piece. The film has humor, drama, romance (without sex), mystery, and a sense of magic that is both haunting and comforting at the same time. FGT also has sentimental value for me. I watch it once in a while when I need an emotional boost. This is a film I know I’ll watch over and over (in the future), and it has all the essentials that make it an intense picture with deep characters and historical relevance.
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