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Fried Green Tomatoes

 

            
             This Jon Avnet film, released in 1991, is based upon the novel Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Café by Fannie Flagg. Due to the fact that it is an emotional story with four female protagonists, it may be referred to as a women's film or chick flick. The movie revolves around two parallel story lines. This makes parts of the movie awkward and hard to connect. One story takes place in the late 1930s, while the other takes place in modern day, the early 1990s. Both center on women and women's issues.
             On one side, there is the present day Evelyn, who is having a mid-life crisis. An early nineties southern woman, she is struggling with her marriage, weight, self worth, and purpose in life. Ninny's stories sustain Evelyn and cause her to become a well-rounded, content woman. She begins taking control of her life and realizing what is important to her. Ninny's tales are so honest and touching that they inspire Evelyn. Stories of friendship, love, and life prove to be life-altering therapy for her. She develops a fondness and devotion towards Ninny, as Ruth and Idgie had in the other plot. This conveys that love and kindness do not have time restraints or age restrictions. The plot dealing with Ruth and Idgie depicts why Evelyn is so affected and altered.
             The majority of the film focuses on the plot occurring in the 1930s. Idgie and Ruth are very different people with dissimilar backgrounds; they do not seem like they would be close friends. But these women share a common bond, a tragedy they both suffered through. Ruth is the elder sister type - she is wiser, much more feminine, and compassionate. Idgie is the more youthful, spirited, boyish, adventurous friend. They both help each other come out of their shells. They break social and economic barriers by becoming friends. Their camaraderie, though unlikely, is almost perfect. They both have great qualities and balance each other out in various ways, but they are so different that they learn and are taught new things by the other.


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