Joy and heartbreak are shared among close-knit friends in a small-town beauty parlor owned by Truvy (Frances Fisher). The chatter is bright when the ladies gather to get their hair done for M’Lynn’s (Anne Heche) daughter Shelby’s (Brittany Snow) wedding reception. When the parish’s grumpy old lady shows up, Clairee (Jeanie Hackett) neutralizes the barbs with cheerful ones of her own. At turns both laugh-out-loud funny and deeply touching, Steel Magnolias reveals the strength of the human condition and our shared need for companionship.