Common Sense Media Review
Heartwarming 1990s classic has language, violence.
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Fried Green Tomatoes
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 15 parent reviews
Parents say the film presents a beautiful story with important messages about friendship, empowerment, and standing up against societal issues, but it also contains elements that some may find objectionable, such as blasphemy and depictions of violence. While performances, particularly by one lead actress, are praised, others feel it glosses over deeper themes present in the source material and may not be suitable for all audiences due to its intense subject matter.
- beautiful story
- strong performances
- empowerment themes
- intense subject matter
- inappropriate elements
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 14 kid reviews
Kids say this film is a heartwarming story that tackles heavy themes such as love, violence, and societal issues, including the presence of the KKK. While it is praised for its positive messages and depiction of strong characters, some reviewers note that it contains mature content like cursing and references to abuse, making it more suitable for older tweens and teens.
- heartwarming story
- mature content
- strong characters
- positive messages
- family movie
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In FRIED GREEN TOMATOES, Evelyn (Kathy Bates) is a repressed Southern housewife in an unhappy marriage when she meets Ninny Threadgoode (Jessica Tandy) at an assisted living community. Ninny tells Evelyn the story of Idgie (Mary Stuart Masterson) and Ruth's (Mary-Louise Parker) life together in the tiny Alabama town of Whistle Stop. Idgie, a rakish young woman who's prone to smoking and gambling, and God-fearing Ruth face abusive husbands, the KKK, and even a murder trial together. Through it all, they raise Ruth's son, Buddy Jr. (Grayson Fricke), and learn how important it is to protect those you love no matter what.
Is It Any Good?
Like all good Southern gothic stories, this film adaptation serves up a heaping portion of tall tales, scary situations, and explorations of social issues. Fried Green Tomatoes unfolds in ellipses and fable-like flashbacks that make it both spellbinding and frightening, teaching viewers the importance of altruism. But it wouldn't be the long-standing favorite it is without its phenomenal performances. Bates, Tandy, Cicely Tyson, and Parker bring this tale to life, and, with a powerful same-sex love story at its core—veiled as it is, given its 1990s release—the film deserves to be watched for years to come.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about empowerment in Fried Green Tomatoes. Many characters stray from social conventions to feel empowered. Is ignoring your critics a good idea sometimes? Was it a good idea for Idgie? Was it for Ruth? Why, or why not?
How do you think Idgie 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?
Ruth is abused by her husband, which might be a good opportunity for caregivers to talk to their kids. How do you disagree with your partner in a healthy way? What behavior is unacceptable? What are the signs of a toxic situation?
Which characters show courage? What do you do in your own life that takes courage? Why is this an important character strength?
Movie Details
- In theaters : January 12, 1991
- On DVD or streaming : December 15, 1998
- Cast : Kathy Bates , Mary Stuart Masterson , Mary-Louise Parker , Jessica Tandy
- Director : Jon Avnet
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Universal Pictures
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Book Characters , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Courage
- Run time : 137 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violence, thematic intensity.
- Awards : Academy Award - Other Category Nominee , BAFTA - BAFTA Nominee , Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Nominee
- Last updated : March 10, 2026
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