Evelyn (Kathy Bates) and her husband Ed (Gailard Sartain) seem to be simply going through the motions in their marriage; they’ve lost interest in each other, and she's growing weary of the situation. While visiting a friend at a nursing home, she meets Ninny (Jessica Tandy), who is physically weak but full of life, and they begin talking. The older woman begins sharing tales about her younger self as the wife of a man in rural Alabama, and also about her sister-in-law Idgie (Mary Stuart Masterson). Over weeks and months, Evelyn finds herself captivated by these stories, as do viewers, which explore themes of racial and sexual inequality, wrongdoing, and happiness as this small community gradually changes, sometimes harshly. The impact of these recollections is significant for the younger woman, who starts to feel a sense of strength from what she’s hearing. Her self-assurance increases—even though her insurance rates begin to rise—and she takes action to make improvements in her home life. The film's visuals and thoughtfully written script effectively and warmly depict the challenges faced by nearly everyone living in the 1920s, a time when racism and prejudice were constant realities; the KKK was active with little restriction, and any relationship across racial lines was fraught with danger. Mary-Louise Parker also delivers a strong performance as Ruth, the preacher’s daughter, and Stan Shaw is memorable as Big George, who helps pass on a sense of hope in difficult times to people living in the 1990s. Tandy and Bates are a wonderful combination, blending moments of joy with sadness, along with a good measure of practicality and resilience, resulting in believable characters full of nostalgia and playful energy. It presents an idealized view of the past, but it’s still definitely worth watching and showcases what a talented group of actors can achieve.

Source on TMDB