- Network: Lifetime
- Series Premiere Date: Oct 7, 2012
Critic Reviews
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Even though we all know what happens, somehow in the hands of these magnificent women, you'll be wishing and hoping for a different ending.
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Fortunately, the new Steel Magnolias turns out to be a full 90 minutes of wonderful.
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References to Beyonce and Michelle Obama are worked in without reaching too hard. And the "black experience," although hardly monolithic, resonates in ways that make this version quite special and different.
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The movie belongs to Queen Latifah, who brings so much heart to M'Lynn, she will make yours break all the more.
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Downsizing to television not only doesn't hurt Steel Magnolias--it may have brought it into better focus.
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This movie comes most alive in those scenes when all the well-cast women (including Jill Scott as an unusually reserved Truvy) are bouncing off each other, biting but never drawing blood.
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As far as revisiting a tearjerker goes, Steel Magnolias reliably hits the funny bone and will assuredly send you to the tissue box
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Despite the tragedy that drives its plot, there's something slight about Steel Magnolias--a slightness that at times might have benefited from a lighter, faster touch. But it offers the pleasure of spending a Sunday night with some terrific female actors.
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This Steel Magnolias is mostly restrained and relentlessly tasteful, qualities the original could not have been accused of.
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The easy humor and palpable love in the ensemble scenes give this Steel Magnolias just enough buoyancy to survive the pools of syrup over which it must traverse.
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As with the earlier film, the men are virtually an afterthought, but the women shine --particularly Latifah.
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There's pleasure in seeing such talented actresses bounce off each other. Woodard could probably recite Google search links and would still turn in an Emmy-caliber performance. But these flowers never fully bloom.
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While some tension looms throughout Steel Magnolias, it's really more a character drama.
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Still sweet and sad, but often dour and slow, too.
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It has some winning moments, and clearly the cast members are having fun with their roles. In the end, though, it just doesn't connect the way it really should have.
Awards & Rankings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 4 out of 7
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Mixed: 1 out of 7
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Negative: 2 out of 7
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May 28, 2015