Steel Magnolias is an emotional rollercoaster, blending lighthearted moments with deep, devastating drama. The film centers around the lives of six women: Truvy Jones (Dolly Parton), M’Lynn Eatenton (Sally Field), Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie (Julia Roberts), Ouiser Boudreaux (Shirley MacLaine), Clariee Belcher (Olympia Dukakis), and Annelle Dupuy-Desoto (Daryl Hannah). These women are all tied to the local beauty salon owned by Truvy, where they share the highs and lows of life.
The film’s central plot revolves around Shelby’s illness (diabetes) and her eventual death, which becomes the emotional heart of the story. As Shelby’s mother, M’Lynn, grapples with the overwhelming loss, the women come together in both laughter and tears, providing a deep sense of support, compassion, and love. The movie beautifully showcases the importance of friendship, the power of women, and the way they lean on one another through life’s most heartbreaking challenges.
But what makes the film so unforgettable is how each character contributes to the emotional fabric of the story, and each woman embodies a different aspect of strength.
Ranking the Strong Women of Steel Magnolias
1. M’Lynn Eatenton: The Heart and Soul of the Film
While Steel Magnolias is undoubtedly a film about the group’s collective strength, M’Lynn Eatenton (Sally Field) stands out as the emotional anchor and true heart of the movie. M’Lynn is the mother of Shelby, and her journey through grief and resilience defines the emotional core of the film.
M’Lynn’s relationship with Shelby is at the forefront of the narrative, and her ability to manage Shelby’s illness, her own emotions, and her family during Shelby’s death showcases a complex and multi-layered character. M’Lynn’s grief is a journey that hits home for anyone who’s ever experienced loss, and Sally Field’s raw, emotional performance makes M’Lynn one of the most unforgettable characters in film history.
What makes M’Lynn truly special is her resilience and love. While she is devastated by the loss of her daughter, she still shows up for her friends, her family, and her community. Her final breakdown in the beauty salon, where she is comforted by her friends, is one of the most powerful scenes in cinematic history.
2. Truvy Jones: The Glue That Holds Them All Together
Truvy Jones (Dolly Parton) is the salon owner and, in many ways, the glue that keeps the group together. She is the epitome of a loving, wise, and resourceful woman. With her comforting southern charm and no-nonsense attitude, Truvy helps each of the other women navigate their individual struggles while creating a sense of community.
Truvy offers both humor and heart throughout the film. She’s the one who constantly reminds the women that they are stronger than they think, and her warmth is a source of solace, especially in the film’s darkest moments. Truvy’s ability to uplift others while maintaining a strong sense of humor in the face of adversity makes her a central figure in the group.
In many ways, Truvy is the heart of the beauty salon, the place where the women come together to laugh, cry, and share their most intimate secrets. Her loyalty to her friends and her steady presence make her one of the strongest, yet most nurturing characters in the film.
3. Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie: The Ever-Optimistic Daughter
Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie (Julia Roberts) is the catalyst for the entire story, as her battle with diabetes shapes the lives of the women around her. As M’Lynn’s daughter, Shelby is the perfect balance of optimism and vulnerability. She is a woman who, despite her illness, always tries to live life to the fullest and find joy in the simple things.
Shelby’s relationship with her mother is central to the plot. While her illness weighs heavily on her family, she continues to live a vibrant life, determined to marry and start a family of her own, even at the risk of her health. Shelby’s courageand independence, despite the tragic circumstances surrounding her health, makes her one of the film’s most beloved characters.
Her death in the film, and the heartbreak it causes M’Lynn, is undeniably one of the most poignant moments in the movie. Shelby’s enduring optimism and unbreakable spirit, even in the face of her illness, leave a lasting impact on everyone who encounters her.
4. Clairee Belcher: The Wisecracker with a Heart of Gold
Clairee Belcher (Olympia Dukakis) is the fun-loving, witty, and sometimes sarcastic friend who brings much-needed lightheartedness to the film. Clairee’s sense of humor is a much-needed counterbalance to the film’s heavier moments, and her sharp wit often provides comic relief in even the most difficult situations.
However, beneath Clairee’s quick comebacks and playful demeanor is a woman who deeply cares for her friends. She’s supportive, thoughtful, and always there when someone needs a shoulder to cry on. Clairee’s ability to combine humor and empathy adds a layer of complexity to her character, and her loyalty to the group makes her a valuable part of the ensemble.
Her quick quips and humorous observations make Clairee a standout character, but it’s her depth of friendship and love that truly defines her role in the group.
5. Ouiser Boudreaux: The Feisty Rebel
Ouiser Boudreaux (Shirley MacLaine) is the most cantankerous of the group, offering a sharp, no-nonsense perspective that some might initially mistake for coldness. She’s tough, outspoken, and a bit of a rebel, but her heart is pure gold. Ouiser may be grumpy and a little rough around the edges, but her friendship with the other women is one of the most heartwarming aspects of the film.
Ouiser’s character arc is one of the most profound—she starts out as a woman who’s rather prickly and sarcastic but slowly reveals the softness and vulnerability beneath. She’s a survivor who has dealt with her own share of hardship and offers wisdom, albeit in her own gruff way, to those around her.
6. Annelle Dupuy-Desoto: The Newcomer Who Becomes Part of the Family
Annelle Dupuy-Desoto (Daryl Hannah) is the young, naive newcomer to the group who gradually finds her place within the circle. Initially uncertain of herself and struggling with her own personal issues, Annelle’s journey throughout the film is one of growth, self-discovery, and belonging.
Though Annelle might not have the same deep connections with the other women at the start of the film, her ability to embrace her new life and learn from the other women proves that strength can come from unexpected places. By the end of the film, Annelle has found both a sense of purpose and a new family.
Conclusion: Who Was the True Heart of Steel Magnolias?
While each woman in Steel Magnolias contributes her own unique brand of strength, M’Lynn Eatenton (Sally Field) undoubtedly emerges as the true heart of the film. As the mother who faces the unspeakable loss of her daughter, M’Lynn’s emotional journey is the anchor that holds the film together. Her grief, resilience, and love encapsulate the very essence of the film’s themes.
However, it’s impossible to ignore
