During a time when fear comes before graciousness this Netflix Special “Sweet Magnolias” could not have come at a better time. A tale of 3 strong women finding their way into and out of life’s rifts and all the while maintaining that Southern flair.
Set in a small town of Serenity, not too far from the next big town Charleston, the sense of community and love is strong, despite the uglier townfolk that naturally exist to bring balance to the world. Each character is represented fair and well and as we dig deeper in each episode, I find myself feeling a sense of compassion towards the wrong-doers of the town and want them to succeed in their own ways as well.
There is Maddie, homemaker, mother and newly divorcee of Dr. Townsend who raises 3 children and finds herself unsure of what to do with her life after the divorce papers are signed. Dana Sue, the best chef in town that is also a divorcee but is more than busy with her restaurant and raising her only daughter, Annie. Last but not the very least, there is Helen. Definition of strong independent woman, she is a fierce lawyer and focuses all her time and energy into the practice and herself. These 3 wonderful women grew up together in this very small town and found themselves again in Serenity growing older together all the while building and running a wonderful women-only spa “The Corner Spa”.
The characters and even the sub characters are rich and full of stories that make me want to move myself into a small town. Though, the idea of everyone knowing my business and judging is more than daunting, I realized I enjoy sharing experiences, good food and being around good people more than the shame that would push all that away. I don’t share all the same values of these characters but universally, we all want what is best for everyone and most times that comes with sacrifice…
Living in a metropolis and not really knowing your next door neighbours is the norm and that makes life a little lonely. But like my boyfriend says, that gives you more time to develop yourself. I’m always afraid of missing the now moment yet he’s always willing to forgo the guilty pleasures of now for the future he is building. He’s quite amazing that way. So here I am coding and writing as a break during the first beautiful weekend we’ve had since the quarantine of 2020 trying to create a “sweet magnolia” of my own…