Steel Magnolias was on this weekend. I decided to watch it before watching the new Lifetime version with Queen Latifah. It’s been years, a long, long time. Duana told me recently that Steel Magnolias still holds up. Of course she was right. It might even be better. It’s certainly funnier. The closer I get to their ages - Claree, M’Lynn, Truvy, Ouiser - the funnier it is. And the more desperate I am to hang on to my mother, the more I can appreciate Sally Field’s performance. You remember the scene where Julia Roberts gets all her hair cut off and she’s despondent afterwards and her first instinct is to look for her ma’s face and Sally, she gives a smile and a slight nod, not too exaggerated -- oh my God, that is some acting right? How about when she walks into the hospital after Shelby’s collapse? How about a mother’s determined gait? I AM HERE, I AM HER MOTHER, I WILL MAKE HER RIGHT SO HELP ME GOD.
This is Sally with Daniel Day-Lewis last night at the New York Film Festival screening of Lincoln. Sally also posed for pictures with Steven Spielberg and other cast members. Let’s talk about Lincoln another time. The film is expected to contend during award season so there’s plenty more opportunity. Right now, if you haven’t already, please enjoy Sally’s recent speech as she accepted the Human Rights Campaign’s Ally For Equality Award in Washington, DC on Saturday. It’ll be the best 8 minutes of your day.
