"Fried Green Tomatoes" has spent far too long on the 'chick flick' list. Well, okay… it is a 'chick flick', but not in the conventional sense. Though the movie's four main protagonists are all women, many of the themes and plotlines go well beyond being a movie for women. Since I have one of those well-rounded sensibilities and can enjoy a bloody horror film as much as a romance, I saw "Fried Green Tomatoes when it first hit theatres. Expecting more of a romantic type comedy drama, what I got was a whole lot more. Based on the book "Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Café", the story introduces us to Evelyn Couch (Kathy Bates), a seriously overweight and depressed middle aged woman. While on a visit to a retirement center with her husband (the pair are there to see his Aunt), she meets a spry elderly woman by the name of Ninny Threadgoode (Jessica Tandy). Much to the dismay of her husband, Evelyn strikes up a friendship with Ninny and begins to visit her just to listen to stories about Idgie Threadgoode, a rather unorthodox member of her family. Here is where the film begins to veer into two separate storylines.

The growth of the friendship in the here and now, and the friendship between Idgie (Mary Stuart Masterson) and Ruth Jamison (Mary-Louise Parker) that formed long, long ago. We 'see' the stories in a series of flashbacks, where we learn that Idgie was the tomboy type, a predilection bought on by the sudden death of her older brother. She ends up working to save her best friend Ruth from an abusive marriage and the two wind up working together on the café.

This in itself is a rather simplistic version of "Fried Green Tomatoes." In truth, the film's plot (both in the past and the present) is quite complex, and offers a terrific evening of entertainment. And to be honest, some of the directions are quite shocking and have ever since made me question the ingredients of every bowl of chili that is set in front of me… 'nuff said.

Universal is releasing a Special Edition of "Fried Green Tomatoes", and as it has been on my 'want list' for several years, I was glad I waited. This new set offers up a gorgeous transfer of the film, both in terms of audio and video. The original cinematography was breathtaking, and this disc does it justice. And unlike the much older DVD release, there are a host of nice extra features available.

There is a commentary by director Jon Avnet, and as these can at times be a bit of a bore, I tend to listen to only a fraction of most of them. Avnet on the other hand is actually quite an engaging speaker and I found myself actually listening to the entire thing. You'll also find a handful of outtakes and deleted scenes, as well as a bit of a documentary about the making of the film. And one of the more interesting additions is a listing Sipsey's Recipes, some of which we're thinking of trying (as my wife loves new recipes). Rounding out the DVD are some production photographs and a look at the poster campaign.

"Fried Green Tomatoes" deserves to be on every DVD collector's shelf (and even occasionally in their player….). So if you don’t already own a copy of the film, I highly recommend picking this new release.

Directed by: Jon Avnet
Starring: Kathy Bates, Jessica Tandy, Mary-Louise Parker, Mary Stuart Masterson, Cicely Tyson
Extras: Deleted Scenes, Outtakes, The Making of Fried Green Tomatoes, Commentary by Director Jon Avnet, Director's Notes, Sipsey's Recipes, Poster Campaign, Production Photographs
Specifications: Widescreen (1.85:1), Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Studio: Universal
Release Date: 6/6/2006
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give Fried Green Tomatoes: 15th Anniversary Edition an A.