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March
2, 2001
The desire was to have a group a ladies come together for a chick
flick night.
The
goal:
gather a group of 10-16 women of varied ages, backgrounds, married,
single to watch a ?chick flick? and enjoy each other?s company.
Well, it was a success. The film would be rated a ?one Kleenexer??
Fried Green Tomatoes.
The
audience was a mix of those who knew the film well, those who had
never seen it, and those who had seen it once but couldn?t remember
a lot of the scenes.
 Fried
Green Tomatoes is a wonderful film about friendships, especially
female friendships. It is a picture of standing firm with a friend
through life?s joys and sorrows without harboring a judgmental attitude.
It is the story of Idgie, her struggle to come to grips with her
femininity; the death of her brother; the hypocrisy of the church;
and the strong prejudice of the deep south in the 1930's.
The
story is told through the eyes of an 83 year old woman, Mrs. Ninny
Threadgoode . We are never quite sure if she is Idgie or not. She
develops a close friendship with Evelyn Couch, a woman in desperate
need of a friend, some acceptance, and hormone therapy. Evelyn tearfully
proclaims she is too old to be young, and too young to be old! This
is a wonderful inter-generational relationship. Mrs. Threadgoode
clearly displays the qualities of a ?Titus? woman. (Titus 2:3-5)
Ninny Threadgoode has an unshakable faith in her Creator and in
the joy of life.
However,
she does not white wash her stories, but rather displays people
warts and all. Mrs. Threadgoode is a portrait of courage. Life holds
no fears for her, only mysteries. When Evelyn confesses ?I hate
death, it scares me so.? Ninny?s response is ?Death ain?t nothin?
to be afraid of. Look at me, I?m at the jumping off place.?Mrs.
Threadgoode?s gentle heart rings throughout the story she shares
with Evelyn.
The
story of two completely opposite women who become the closest and
best of friends: Ruth and Idgie.
Although
Idgie?s exterior appears course and hard, her actions reveal the
compassion of Christ for the unlovely ones of the world?the homeless,
the hobos, the outcasts. Idgie is a bee charmer who also charms
the hearts of the audience.
When
the time comes for Ruth?s departure we see a very different response
from Idgie than the way her grief manifested at the loss of her
brother. Clearly Ruth had a tremendous influence on Idgie ?s life.
Mrs. Threadgoode tells us that there are angels walking around masquerading
as people and Ruth was one of them.
Ruth?s
love and acceptance for Idgie redeemed her?brought her back from
the pit into the arms of her family again. This is a truly remarkable
film for women. A wonderful reminder of how we should treat each
other and of unconditional love.
?This
is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved
you.? John 15:12
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