Book vs Movie:

Evelyn Couch is caught in a monotonous life. The dowdy woman is stuck in an unhappy marriage, struggling with failing self-esteem, but that changes when she visits a nursing home in the 1980s.

Her life changes when she meets Ninny Threadgoode, a lively elderly woman residing at the nursing home. The pair starts meeting weekly, and Ninny shares the story of a young girl, Idgie, who is the very definition of a free spirit.

She grew up in Whistle Stop, Georgia, your typical 1930's small Southern town, between World War I and II. The youngest of the Threadgoode children, Idgie pulls away from formal society after her brother, Buddy, is struck and killed by a train, and explores life through more 'masculine' avenues, at least by Southern society's standards. After some years go by, Ruth Jamison (Buddy's former girlfriend) reaches out to tomboy Idgie for an intervention at the request of the Threadgoode family.

Idgie resists Ruth's friendship, but a deep bond forms between the young women. Ruth leaves, marrying an abusive man and falling pregnant, only to be rescued by Idgie before giving birth. Idgie's father, known as Papa Threadgoode, loans her money to open up the Whistle Stop Cafe. Idgie hires Sipsey, a Black woman, and her son, Big George (both of whom worked for the Threadgoode family home) and the cafe quickly gains a reputation for some of the best barbeque in the state, and their fried green tomatoes.

When Ruth's husband visits Whistle Stop to try and take the baby, he goes missing and is presumed murdered. The town suspects Idgie, however, the local sheriff offers to release her if she agrees to help pin the murder on Big George. During the subsequent trial, the local Reverend thinks up alibi's for both Idgie and Big George, and both are released.

Ruth is diagnosed with cancer shortly after, and eventually passes away. Ninny's stories start to dwindle, but not before she reveals exactly what happened to Ruth's husband, which does, in fact, involve barbeque.

The movie, which was released in December of 1991, closely follows her novel, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, written by Fannie Flagg published in 1987. Both the film and the book received great reviews, however, there were some glaring differences.

The film heavily implies that Ninny is actually Idgie; the novel clarifies that Ninny married Idgie's brother, Cleo, which alters the tone of the story and the relationship between the viewer and the character.

The film also implies that the relationship between Idgie and Ruth was platonic on all levels. The novel, however, implies that the two are in an open relationship, which is never questioned, scorned, or ridiculed by people. The exploration of Ruth and Idgie's relationship and the acceptance of a non-traditional love made the book stand heads above the movie, in my personal opinion, especially when you consider when and where the story took place.

The signature dish, and namesake, fried green tomatoes, is symbolic of the connections and shared tastes amongst women. The dish becomes a staple between Ruth and Idgie, and later on between Evelyn and Ninny.

The novel has become a feminist icon, while the movie is a family favorite. Both are worthy of experiencing!