The original Steel Magnolias film, released in 1989, remains a beloved classic in the hearts of many, with its perfect mix of humor, heartache, and unforgettable Southern charm. Based on the stage play by Robert Harling, the movie took audiences through the ups and downs of life in a small Louisiana town, showcasing the incredible bond between a group of women. The iconic performances by Dolly Parton, Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine, and others left an indelible mark on cinema.
Fast forward to 2012, and Lifetime decided to give Steel Magnolias a modern-day makeover with an all-new cast. While it seemed like a promising idea, many fans of the original film felt the remake fell short in several key ways. Here, we break down eight aspects in which Lifetime’s version didn’t quite live up to the beloved classic.
1. The Chemistry Between the Cast Wasn’t the Same
One of the most magical elements of the 1989 Steel Magnolias was the chemistry between the iconic ensemble cast. The camaraderie between Dolly Parton, Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis, Daryl Hannah, and Julie Richardson felt effortless. These women created characters that were fun, heartwarming, and deeply believable as lifelong friends.
Lifetime’s Remake Struggled with Chemistry: While the cast of Lifetime’s version, which included Queen Latifah, Alfre Woodard, Phylicia Rashad, and Condola Rashad, were talented in their own right, the connections between the characters didn’t quite have the same spark. The bonds felt more forced and lacked the same organic chemistry that made the original so memorable. It was hard for audiences to connect with the new version of these iconic characters in the same way.
2. The Absence of the Original’s Southern Charm
The 1989 film oozed Southern charm, not just in the way the characters spoke but in the atmosphere, the small-town setting, and the overall tone of the film. The original had that warm, down-home vibe that made it feel like a real slice of Louisiana life.
Lifetime’s Version Felt Less Authentic: While the Lifetime remake did try to capture some of that Southern essence, the production felt more like it was trying to mimic the original rather than embodying it. The setting, while similar, felt more like a set than a real Southern town. Some of the dialogue and character nuances also lacked the deep-rooted authenticity of the original. For example, the Steel Magnolias of the 1989 film felt like women who had been raised in a small town, while the remake felt more polished and less rooted in that culture.
3. The Emotional Impact Was Weakened
The original Steel Magnolias was a powerhouse of emotion, with its unforgettable blend of humor, warmth, and heartbreaking tragedy. The loss of Shelby (played by Julia Roberts) hit audiences hard, and the film’s closing scene—where Sally Field delivers her iconic line “I’d rather have 30 minutes of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special”—left viewers in tears.
Lifetime’s Version Didn’t Pack the Same Punch: While the remake had its emotional moments, they didn’t resonate in the same way. The performances, though strong, didn’t quite deliver the gut-wrenching impact of the original. Part of this was due to the pacing and the way the film approached the emotional depth of Shelby’s illness and death. In the Lifetime version, the audience didn’t feel as connected to Shelby’s story, making her death less of a tearjerker.
4. The Casting of Shelby Was a Miss
Julia Roberts’ performance as Shelby in the original Steel Magnolias is unforgettable. She brought a perfect mix of optimism, vulnerability, and strength to the role, earning her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Shelby’s battle with diabetes, her dreams of starting a family, and her tragic death became a central emotional theme of the movie.
Lifetime’s Shelby Wasn’t as Memorable: In the 2012 version, Condola Rashad took on the role of Shelby, but her portrayal didn’t quite have the same impact. Though she did a fine job with the material, her version of Shelby felt more one-dimensional compared to Roberts’ nuanced performance. The role demanded a certain vulnerability that the Lifetime version didn’t quite capture, which ultimately made Shelby’s story less impactful.
5. The Humor Felt Forced in the Remake
One of the standout qualities of the original Steel Magnolias was its perfect balance of humor and drama. The characters’ quick-witted one-liners and Southern sass provided relief in the midst of the emotional turmoil, making the more heart-wrenching moments that much more powerful.
Lifetime’s Remake Didn’t Nail the Humor: While the remake did include attempts at humor, it felt much more scripted and less natural. The timing of the jokes, especially from M’Lynn (played by Sally Field in the original), didn’t have the same punch, and the dialogue came off as a bit too forced. The original’s humor was authentic and stemmed from the personalities of the characters, but in the remake, the humor felt more like it was trying to replicate what made the original special, rather than finding its own voice.
6. The Absence of Iconic Set Pieces
The original Steel Magnolias was rich with memorable set pieces, from Truvy’s beauty salon to the emotional funeral scenes. These locations became as much of a character as the people themselves. The beauty salon, in particular, was a central meeting point for the women and represented the heart of their community.
Lifetime’s Version Lacked Iconic Locations: While the Lifetime version had its own version of the beauty salon, it didn’t have the same charm or significance. The locations in the remake felt more generic and didn’t carry the same emotional weight. The beauty salon in the original was a place of comfort, gossip, and deep conversations, but the remake’s version didn’t quite have that magic.
7. The Pacing Was Off in the Lifetime Version
In the original Steel Magnolias, the pacing was a delicate balance between lighthearted moments and the build-up to the heartbreaking climax. The film knew when to take its time with certain emotional moments and when to let the humor take over.
The Remake Felt Rushed: Lifetime’s version didn’t strike that same balance. The pacing was often uneven, jumping between moments of lightheartedness and intense drama without taking the time to let emotions settle. Some scenes felt rushed, which detracted from the emotional weight of certain storylines, especially Shelby’s illness.
8. The Absence of the Classic Soundtrack
The 1989 Steel Magnolias featured a stunning soundtrack that became just as iconic as the film itself. From “The Prayer” (sung by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli) to “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down”, the music added to the emotional depth and Southern atmosphere of the film.
Lifetime’s Soundtrack Was Forgettable: The Lifetime version didn’t have a soundtrack that stood out in the same way. While there were certainly attempts at capturing the Southern spirit with the music, nothing quite matched the emotional punch of the original songs. The soundtrack of the 1989 version had an almost spiritual quality, and that was missing from the remake.
Conclusion: The Lifetime Remake Didn’t Quite Capture the Magic
While Lifetime’s Steel Magnolias remake certainly had a talented cast and did its best to honor the original, it ultimately fell short in several key areas. The chemistry between the cast, the humor, the pacing, and the emotional depth that made the 1989 version such a beloved classic simply weren’t replicated in the remake.
Despite the best efforts, the magic of the original film was hard to recreate, and fans of the 1989 version were left longing for the charm and emotional punch that made it so unforgettable. Sometimes, remakes just can’t live up to the magic of the original, and Steel Magnolias is a prime example of that.
FAQs
1. Why did Lifetime remake Steel Magnolias? Lifetime remade Steel Magnolias as part of its ongoing efforts to bring classic stories to a modern audience, but despite its talented cast, it didn’t quite capture the magic of the original film.
2. Who played Shelby in the Lifetime remake? In the 2012 Lifetime remake of Steel Magnolias, the role of Shelby was played by Condola Rashad.
3. What was missing from the Lifetime remake of Steel Magnolias? The remake lacked the authentic Southern charm, the chemistry between the cast, and the emotional depth that made the 1989 version so iconic.
