Herbert Ross directs this drama following the lives of six women in Louisiana. Annelle (Daryl Hannah) is new in town and grateful to be offered a job by Truvy (Dolly Parton) at her beauty salon. Shelby (Julia Roberts) and her mother, M'Lynn (Sally Field) are excitedly preparing for Shelby's wedding later that day, while widow Clairee (Olympia Dukakis) and gruff Louisa (Shirley MacLaine) are also at the salon, as they often are, and Annelle is welcomed into their group. As she settles in to her new home and falls in love, the women continue to support each other through life's joys as well as its tragedies. The cast also includes Tom Skerritt and Dylan McDermott.