Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Cafe

A few weeks ago, I sat down and watched one of my favorite movies – Fried Green Tomatoes. Nominated for two Oscars in 1992, this movie portrays storytelling and personal growth at its best. The plot includes a storyline inside of its storyline. Evelyn Couch, played by Kathy Bates, is a passive character at first who will go along with anything that she is told and has no confidence in herself. While visiting her husband’s aunt in a nursing home, Evelyn meets Ninny Threadgoode, played by Jessica Tandy, who is a strong willed older woman longing for someone to talk with. The two women quickly become friends and Ninny begins to tell the story of Idgie Threadgoode that she remembers from her childhood. The story which she tells is set in the 1920s in a small town in Alabama. Idgie’s story inspires Evelyn to become more assertive and begin to take charge of her life. As Ninny continues to tell the story, she and Evelyn develop a close friendship in which Evelyn finds strength.

Although I enjoy many movies, I do not think that there are many that have touched me as much as this one has. Even the cinematography of the movie increases its greatness. The casting director, David Rubin, did an amazing job at casting the show and finding lesser known actresses and actors to help portray the small-town characters.

The original screenplay, based on the novel by Fannie Flagg, was written by Fannie Flagg and taken over by Carol Sobieski. The movie itself was directed by Jon Avnet.

- Christina