Every single one of us has that small collection of films that we’ll watch over and over again, even though we can quote it line for line and know all the twists and turns. These films are our comfort blankets, the escapes we turn to when we need a lift and the friends we know we can count on in the toughest times.

For me, Steel Magnolias is one of these films.

With it’s all star female cast including, Sally Fields, Julia Roberts, Dolly Parton, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis and Shirley MacLaine, this 1989 classic tells the story of strong female friendship revolving around a southern Louisiana beauty parlour.

It is a film full of heart and depth, as it deals with the challenges of life head on, but proves that through a combination of our own inner steel and the support of some good friends we can make it through even the darkest of moments.

The ensemble cast are fantastic, bouncing off each other while also individually given their moment to shine. However, Sally Fields is the star that really shines, playing M’Lynn Eatenon, she beautifully captures the emotional trauma of a mother struggling between wanting the best for her daughter, played by Julia Roberts, and wanting to keep her safe, knowing the medical troubles she’s facing.

And at the end of the day, aren’t the best films the one that make you feel every emotion under the sun? The ones that move you from laughter to tears and back again, as Steel Magnolias does so beautifully. After all, the comfort this films brings is the reminder that it’s up to us to choose how we face whatever challenges life throws at us, and that it’s even easier to face those challenges, when you’re surrounded by good friends (and good films)!

E