It has recently occurred to me that in the era of lists, internet blogs, the incessant social media barrage of what you’ve seen, been to, etc. that we probably need to set the bar for great Southern movies. You see, in my mind this column has become an outlet for us to discuss not only hunting and fishing but also the necessities of everyday life. To take the time to reflect on the things we need to preserve and cherish; the things we simply and honestly just enjoy. Now, every time this comes up you will hear people suggest movies such as “To Kill a Mockingbird,” “Gone with the Wind,” or even “Deliverance.” However, I am here to relate why there’s really one that tops the list and deserves the title!

The other night my family wanted to watch a movie and my oldest daughter, Emma, decided to give me an early Father’s Day present. She proudly comes out with a copy of “Steel Magnolias.” Now I firmly believe that if you are my age or older and are from a small southern town then you grew up knowing every character in that movie. My mother, for instance, has a group of friends that refer to themselves as The Posse. Now, through the years the dynamics of the group have changed, but for the most part, they are still intact after 30-plus years together. 

The director of “Steel Magnolias” (Herbert Ross) shows us the depth of friendship, love and life in the deep South. He shows us how a community should look and how loving your neighbor is not just a platitude we hear about on Sundays, but how we should live that out. Now, don’t get me wrong. I’ve spent a lot of time in west Michigan, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Wyoming and other places throughout the U.S. and I understand people have these relationships, to some extent, everywhere. Yet, here in the south we tend to enjoy the characters in our lives, the details often overlooked by others, and we wear our emotions on our sleeves sometimes. 

The lives of the Posse’s families are intricately woven with each other. I have women in my life who introduce themselves as my aunts, yet we are not related. I’ve seen them gather around each other through sickness, problems with children, financial crises, their husbands having cancer or heart problems. Simply everything we experience as we make our way through this earthly realm. So, when I watch Steel Magnolias, I see my “aunts”: Glenda, Julie, Merry, Debbie, and Shelby, the one we lost years ago. Interestingly enough, I see each of them differently than they see themselves and my mother sees them. I see strong, southern women caring for their families, fighting for what they believe in and holding families together despite the trends and weirdness the world sometimes throws at them. 

To me, this movie could not take place and be believable anywhere but in the deep south. Therefore, only here will the day be saved and the damsel in distress be rescued by none other than a 4-wheel drive vehicle. In the end Spud rescues the young Annelle (who has gone into labor) in his old Bronco. I just can’t see this happening in Central Park. Watch it and let me know what you think. What would be top of your list of Southern movies?

Outdoors columnist James Pressley can be reached at outdoors@gmail.com.