Why Isn't This On Blu-ray yet?!?Based on the poignant novel by Fannie Flagg, Jon Avnet’s Fried Green Tomatoes (1991) is an intimate critique of generational strife paralleling two enduring sets of friendships; the first, between straight-laced, Ruth Jamison (Mary-Louise Parker) and disillusioned reprobate, Idgie Threadgoode (Mary Stuart Masterson); the second between dissatisfied middle aged frump, Evelyn Couch (Kathy Bates) and spry senior citizen Ninnie Threadgoode (Jessica Tandy).
Told entirely from Ninnie’s vantage through a series of flashbacks that culminate in a revelation behind the mysterious disappearance of local boor and wife abuser, Frank Bennett (Nick Searcy), the screenplay by Flagg and Carol Sobieski is a reflexive snapshot into an imperfect past that strangely compliments the uncertainty of the present. This cinematic verisimilitude centers on The Whistle Stop Café – hub of the film’s most celebrated moments - inspired by author Flagg’s renewed visits to the Irondale Café, where fried green tomatoes were an in-house delicacy.
The story opens with Evelyn discovering Ninnie in an old age home where her husband, Ed's (Gailard Sartain) aunt is a permanent resident. Since Ed's aunt wants nothing to do with Evelyn, she befriends Ninnie who begins to tell her stories from her childhood. We learn that Idgie (played with prolific brilliance as a child by Nancy Moore Atchison) was a lonely child who lost her beloved brother, Buddy (Chris O'Donnell) in a terrible train accident. Buddy was Ruth's beau and his death creates a rift between Ruth and Idgie until the latter becomes an adult.
Idgie and Ruth develop a rather tenuous friendship that gradually grows more rich and rewarding with the passage of time. Idgie introduces the rather starchy Ruth to the more liberal diversions of booze and gambling while Ruth civilizes the rebellious Idgie with her more prudent reserve. Eventually, Ruth marries Frank Bennett but she is rescued from a life of physical abuse by Idgie and her man servant, Big George (Stan Shaw).
Bennett vows revenge and even makes a brutal attempt to steal back Ruth's baby. His plans are thwarted and shortly thereafter Frank Bennett's curious disappearance from Whistle Stop becomes the subject of rumour and speculation.
The parallel narrative in the film involves Evelyn's growing strength as a woman independent of her husband's needs. Through Ninnie's stories, she evolves from a put upon housewife to a defiant 'avenger for women's rights. When Evelyn learns that Ninnie is about to be sent away from the old age home she petitions and then demands from Ed that they adopt her as their live in guest.
Fried Green Tomatoes is graceful film making at its finest. There is a poetic majesty to the arch in both stories; a joyfulness and exaltation of the celebrations in life that at times test our resolve, try our patience and even strain our heart to break.
Disparagingly referenced as ‘a women’s picture’, the genuine bond that develops on screen between Parker and Masterson/Bates and Tandy goes much deeper. This is a seminal film for all ages and sexes. After the first few moments it becomes quite easy to forget that the story is fictional and the people, mere characters. Instead, as an audience we buy into their enduring friendships; perceive their struggles as our own and relate. Only the very best of entertainments possess that unique integrity to generate complete suspension in disbelief.
WHY ISN'T THIS ON BLU-RAY YET?!?
Universal Home Video’s DVD transfer of this exceptional film is just above average. One sincerely hopes that Universal will furnish us with a more accurately rendered Blu-ray during their pending 100th anniversary in 2012. But for now the anamorphically enhanced DVD has reasonably vibrant colors, but with a softly focused picture that exhibits some rather obvious edge enhancements and pixelization throughout. Blacks are solid and deep. Whites are relatively clean. Contrast levels are nicely balanced. The audio is 5.1 Dolby Digital and surprisingly robust and enveloping, considering that this is primarily a dialogue driven soundtrack.
The extended director’s cut adds 23 extra minutes of footage interspersed throughout the running time. The newly inserted footage really doesn’t enhance the narrative impact so much as it prolongs the experience – forgivable, since one stop to the Whistle Stop is never enough. Extras include a ‘making of’ featurette, printable recipes, audio commentary and the film’s original theatrical trailer. Recommended.
FILM RATING (out of 5 - 5 being the best)
4.5
VIDEO/AUDIO
3.5
EXTRAS
3.5
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