There are few places more sacred than the hair salon. Sure, it’s not a place of worship, or a singular unique landmark, or a place where huge decisions are decided by any of the world’s governments, but part of the reason why it’s so ubiquitous is because the hair salon will make or break a life depending on the cut that was made. Steel Magnolias is centered around a salon in a small Louisiana town, and as Dolly Parton as Trudy cuts the townswomen’s hair, she also becomes a refuge for the women too, sharing their worries, doubts, fears, as well as their joy and happiness. It’s such an endearing portrait, one that happened to be made in honor of screenwriter Robert Harling’s sister, and that genuine emotion is the very reason this comedy drama has become a classic.

There are few films that talk about diabetes. Admittedly, Shelby’s plotline isn’t a perfect depiction of diabetes, but being inspired by Harling’s actual sister, it’s understandable as to why Shelby’s plotline ended the way it did. That being said, viewers today should note that modern science has thankfully come up with more manageable ways to deal with the disease, though there is still much work to be done with regards to research, stigma, and inequality.