Based on Robert Harling's play; this comedy-drama directed by Herbert Ross (The Turning Point) follows several years in the lives of women who regularly see one another at a beauty shop in their small Louisiana town. The story deepens as Julia Roberts; playing a serious diabetic and the daughter of Sally Field; goes downhill in her health. But as an ensemble piece; this is one of those enjoyably lumpy tearjerkers with many years' worth of stored truths suddenly being shared between the characters; lots of grievances aired; that sort of thing. Daryl Hannah and Shirley MacLaine assume the most eccentric roles; Dolly Parton the most fun; and Olympia Dukakis the most dignified; while Sally Field essentially provides the moral and emotional center of the movie. --Tom Keogh