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I started this blog as I entered my 40th year, and now firmly in my 40s, I continue to learn so much about life. I'm learning that life rarely goes according to plan and that there's something new to learn every single day, be it a subtle nudge or a smack in the face.... This is my blog about muddling through my 40s-working hard, writing a book, being an ammateur photographer, trying to exercise and eat well, endeavouring to be the world's best aunt, as well as having fun and laughing out loud every single day.

Monday, April 7, 2014

F Dear Rocky - Fried Green Tomatoes


Dear Rocky,

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café introduced me to Kathy Bates and Jessica Tandy.  As a teenager in the 80's, I'd met Mary Stewart Masterson years earlier.

As you know, I was extremely close to my Nan, so stories of relationships with older people always tug at my heart strings.  This was no exception.

I also love the flashback, story telling method used so well in this movie.

I haven't read the book Fried Green Tomatoes, but I was surprised to read that in the book, the characters of Idgie and Ruth are lesbians.  This isn't so in the movie which was made in 1991.

I wonder what would happen if the movie was made in 2014?  Would they have followed the original story more closely, given society's attitude toward homosexuality has hopefully changed so much since 1991?

The relationship I'd like to discuss in this review is a bit different in that it's not a relationship from the movie, but more the relationship I have with one of the actresses - Kathy Bates.

Okay, to be fair, it probably can't be called a relationship with Kathy doesn't even know it exists.  Let me explain.  In 2012, while visiting New York, I was lucky enough to be invited to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center's Survivorship celebration.  The Key Note Speaker was Kathy Bates, discussing her experience with ovarian cancer.

Listening to her talk that evening changed my life.  For the first time in my cancer journey I felt understood.  The way she described her experiences with her body and with love after her treatment were so akin to my own experiences that I felt as though I had written her speech.

Her message was clear and has stayed with me every day since.  It has changed the way I view myself as a woman, as a person and it has also opened my mind to my future.

Fried Green Tomatoes is one of my all time faves.  I give it 8.5/10.

How about you?

Jodie

Read Rocky's review here!



8 comments:

  1. Oh my the timing is so weird... you see I'm working my way down the A to Z lists and found Rocky straight away and said hi...

    Now I've reached you on F and Fried Green Tomatoes is one of my all time favourite films. When videos became less common a friend bought me the DVD version because they knew I loved it so much.

    Thank you for sharing the story about Kathy, and that moment.

    Big hugs
    Mars
    Curling Stones for Lego People

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  2. What a great post. I simply adore Kathy Bates and the book and movie. What a wonderful opportunity for you to have that chance to final exhale and know that there is someone else out there who understands. As a cancer survivor myself (cervical) I understand what you mean about the connection. Thank you....

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  3. It's been so long since I saw the film that I forget what actually happens which is strange because had you asked at the time I would have given an 8 or 9/10. My elder daughter has been recommended this film recently so we will hopefully be getting a copy of it soon and I can familiarize myself with it all again. How odd about the relationship between the two women in the book not being shown in the film, times have changed, haven't they.

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  5. I really loved this film which doesn't always happen with books I love. I remember after seeing the movie having to go back to the book to check whether they were lesbians or if I was remembering a different book and getting confused. I first picked up the book because of the author. I couldn't believe Fannie Flagg who was a semi-regular on match game wrote a book. Thanks for sharing the story about Kathy Bates. I've never gone to any sort of event re survivorship. I've always been scared off, maybe because I had breast cancer and I really hate pink.
    Donna's New Day

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    1. Donna, I completely get the hating pink bit! Can't wait to check out your blog now. Thanks for dropping by.
      x

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  6. Great post - I loved Fried Green Tomatoes. I liked how spunky Kathy Bates's character becomes as the story goes on. I
    love that she took Miss Threadgood home. I love the ideas that the older generation has so many stories to share with us if we just make the time to listen.

    Have a great A to Z month. I went to Rocky's first and then over to yours. Very cool to link up this way! :)

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    1. Thank you - I agree that was an awesome part of the film.

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