Hard to believe that it's been twenty-three years since the gals of Steel Magnolias gathered at Truvy's Beauty Parlor in Natchitoches, Louisiana, to gossip about the local townsfolk as well as help each other through some rather difficult times. Three of the iconic Southern film's stars reunited last night for the American Institute Film Festival in Los Angeles, looking as if no time had passed at all!
Academy Award winners Shirley MacLaine, Sally Field and Julia Roberts looked just as close as they appeared in the famous film as they sat beside each other at the award dinner, chatting away and laughing the entire evening. When MacLaine, 78, was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Meryl Streep, her two former co-stars whooped and clapped the loudest, as the Living Legend gave her touching acceptance speech. MacLaine even gave Julia a grand-motherly kiss on the mouth to show her love and appreciation for the superstar actress.
Steel Magnolias was based on the hit play by Robert Harling and told the story of a group of feisty, tough and determined Southern ladies who shared a unique bond. Sally Field starred as over-protective mother M'Lynn, Julia Roberts as her fiercely independent daughter in fragile health Shelby, with MacLaine as eccentric, wealthy neighbor Ouiser. The film also starred Dolly Parton, Olympia Dukakis and Daryl Hannah.
