Differences Between The Film and Novel
Unlike the book Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, the film adaptation does not explicitly present the lesbian romance between the two central characters, instead making the relationship between Idgie and Ruth ambiguous. The DVD edition of the film has an audio commentary with the director acknowledging this and pointing out that a scene between the two women engaging in a food fight was intended to be seen as symbolic love-making. At the time of the film's debut, it was criticized by reviewers and activists for what was seen as "glossing over" the lesbian overtones of the relationship. However, the film won an award from the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) for best feature film with lesbian content. The film also seems to focus more on the racial theme rather than the lesbian plot of the novel. At the end of the novel, Ninny Threadgoode dies, whereas in the film she lives while Mrs. Otis dies and Evelyn invites Ninny to live with her and Ed.
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