Common Sense Media Review
By Heather Boerner , based on child development research. How do we rate?
age 13+
Heartwarming '90s classic has some language, violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
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Drinking, Drugs & Smoking
some
Idgy drinks, smokes a cigar, and gambles. Ruth gets drunk. Drunken behavior in a bar. Cigarette smoking.
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Language
some
"N" word used several times. "A--holes," "s--t," "bitch," "bastard," "G--damn," "damn," "hell."
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Violence & Scariness
some
One character is hit and killed by a train (offscreen), and another is almost killed by a train. Ruth's husband is abusive. He kicks her down a flight of stairs when she's pregnant, and viewers see her with a black eye. A KKK group whips Big George and threatens to steal Ruth's baby and hurt Idgy. Frank hits Sipsey and Smokey Lonesome. A character is murdered off-screen.
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See AlsoFried Green TomatoesBarany In the Garden: Every which way but ripe... loads of green tomatoesFried Green Tomatoes movie review (1992) | Roger Ebert30 Facts About The Movie Fried Green TomatoesGet started
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Sex, Romance & Nudity
a little
Evelyn fantasizes about answering her front door wearing only cellophane. There's an intense sexual connection between Idgy and Ruth, though nothing sexual or romantic happens on-screen. Evelyn attends classes on female empowerment in which the instructor talks about masturbation.
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Products & Purchases
very little
Krispy Kreme donuts. A six-pack of Budweiser clearly shown.
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Positive Role Models
a lot
Evelyn, inspired by Ninny's stories of Idgy and Ruth, learns to stand up for herself, to demand and expect the best out of her life and relationships. Ninny's character is the opposite of the typical stereotype of the elderly. Idgy is a free-spirited woman who defies the conventions of Great Depression-era rural Alabama in order to live life on her terms.
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Positive Messages
some
Movie makes pointed commentary on female empowerment. The movie also portrays the elderly in a positive light -- their lives, and the stories of their lives, should be treasured and cherished for the wisdom that it can be. Racism, domestic abuse, and gender inequality is shown against the backdrop of Great Depression-era rural Alabama.
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Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Fried Green Tomatoes is a 1991 movie in which a dissatisfied housewife is inspired to change by the exciting stories told to her by an elderly woman in a nursing home. This film is heartwarming but also contains many violent and scary scenes that are probably too much for young kids. Several characters die, including main characters, which may be difficult for sensitive kids or kids who have lost a loved one. The KKK has a presence in the film, whipping one character and threatening another. One main character suffers spousal abuse while pregnant. The subtext is that Idgy and Ruth are lesbian partners, though the film never shows anything that would make that clear. There's occasional profanity, including the "N" word, and drinking and cigarette smoking. While taking a female empowerment class, the instructor and Evelyn's friend make reference to masturbation. The film offers plenty of comeuppance for the bad guys, though, and focuses on the empowerment of women through their bold actions. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Fried Green Tomatoes
Parent and Kid Reviews
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- Parents say (12)
- Kids say (13)
age 13+
Based on 12 parent reviews
caseykranzler Parent of 9-year-old
August 7, 2018
age 9+
A wonderful way to teach your children to ALWAYS stand up for what is right.
Idgy Threadgood taught me to be proud of who I am, to be outspoken, and to always stand up for what is right. That is exactly what I want to teach my strong, loud, proud little girl. This movie explores racism in a way that isn't so much violence it is overwhelming for a child, but enough to get their point across about the characters.
Lowe's man Adult
February 22, 2016
age 13+
on the right side of history
Those who think or like to think that things were hunky-dory in this country before the 1960s and think that this was a nation filled with solid marriages until then will not be comforted by this movie, as it shows that spousal abuse and other problems that we associate with modern life existed in the 1930s as well. Ruth and Idgy were very brave to stand up to Ruth's abusive husband Frank. Women were empowered at a time when it was not popular for women to be portrayed this way. While racism was tolerated then, those who tolerated such behavior were portrayed in a negative light, as they should've been. Idgy, Ruth and those who championed the rights of blacks were rightly portrayed positively- and this was in the Southeast! Moreover, when Ninnie told Evelyn about her own life, she said that she kept her retarded son at a time when it would not have been popular or advisable to do so. When Ninnie told the story of Idgy and Ruth to Evelyn, she helped Evelyn deal with her own abusive husband. It must also be said that Ruth helped Idgy come out of herself. Idgy was there for Ruth until the day she died. This movie gives viewers a rough but general idea of life in the Southeast in the 1930s, even if in just an isolated case.
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See all 12 parent reviews
What's the Story?
Evelyn (Kathy Bates) is a repressed Southern housewife who downs a dozen candy bars a day to cope with her failing marriage when she meets the frail Ninny Threadgoode (Jessica Tandy) at a senior citizens' home. Ninny tells Evelyn the story of Idgy (Mary Stuart Masterson) and Ruth's (Mary-Louise Parker) life together in the tiny Alabama town of Whistle Stop. Nonconformist Idgy, a young woman prone to wearing men's clothes and gambling, and God-fearing Ruth face abusive husbands, the KKK, and even a murder rap together. Through it all, they raise Ruth's son, Buddy Jr., and learn how important it is to protect those you love no matter what.
Is It Any Good?
Our review:
Parents say (12):
Kids say (13):
Like all good Southern gothic stories, FRIED GREEN TOMATOES serves up a heaping portion of tall tales, scary situations, and explorations of social issues. The story unfolds in ellipses and fable-like flashbacks that make it both spellbinding and frightening, teaching viewers the importance of altruism.
Fried Green Tomatoes wouldn't be the long-standing favorite it is without the phenomenal performances of some of the day's best actors. Bates, Tandy, Cicely Tyson, and Parker bring this tale to life. They also raise questions about whether the way we deal with issues like homelessness and racial intolerance is much better today.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about empowerment in the characters' lives. Many had to stray from the good opinions of others to feel empowered. Is ignoring your critics a good idea sometimes? Was it a good idea for Idgy? Was it for Ruth? Why or why not? Ruth is also abused by her husband, which may be a good opportunity for parents to talk to kids about what's acceptable in relationships and how to identify someone who's abusive.
How do you think Idgy and Ruth's relationship would be handled today as compared to when this movie came out in 1991?
How did this movie use the "story within a story" form to show how the experiences of the past can illuminate and have relevance to the lives of today?
Movie Details
- In theaters: January 12, 1991
- On DVD or streaming: December 15, 1998
- Cast: Kathy Bates, Mary Stuart Masterson, Mary-Louise Parker
- Director: John Avnet
- Inclusion Information: Female actors
- Studio: Universal Pictures
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Book Characters, Friendship, History
- Run time: 137 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: violence, thematic intensity.
- Last updated: May 10, 2024
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Fried Green Tomatoes
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