Anyone watch the African American adaptation of Steel Magnolias last night?

[Anonymous]

It really could have been better. I was surprised that these great actresses didn't deliver better performances so I'm blaming the director. I though Alfre Woodard did the best job but she's always great. I love Queen Latifah in comedies and she is old enough to play M'Lynn but she really just wasn't convincing in this dramatic role. Also, having seen Sally Field really deliver in that role, it just didn't stack up. Rashad maybe should have played M'Lynn, her daughter was playing Shelby anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know this is pedantic, and I truly do not mean to sound nasty (although tone is of course difficult to convey online), however: Steel Magnolias is a play. Every version of it is going to be "the same."

If that were the case, there would be no point in restaging any play. A play is not "the same" just because it has the same script. Different case, different direction, different milieu, different context, different thrust.

Agreed. Even Shakespeare is often updated to different eras. That kind of thing actually shows the timelessness and brilliance of the original, actually.

[Anonymous]

i recorded it and watched it today. i thought it was pretty good although i agree with the sentiments regarding latifah playing an older mother. they kept pretty true to the original.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know this is pedantic, and I truly do not mean to sound nasty (although tone is of course difficult to convey online), however: Steel Magnolias is a play. Every version of it is going to be "the same."

If that were the case, there would be no point in restaging any play. A play is not "the same" just because it has the same script. Different case, different direction, different milieu, different context, different thrust.

Agreed. Even Shakespeare is often updated to different eras. That kind of thing actually shows the timelessness and brilliance of the original, actually.

Exactly. I saw a performance of King Lear at the Shakespeare costumed and staged in the 1940s. It was brilliant. So PP, you weren't pedantic. Just wrong.