THE REAL SOUTH?
Not all of us Southerners are redneck gun-toting bigots with green teeth and red eyes. Not all of us are inbred cretins in love with our sisters. And yet it seems to me that too often that is the treatment we get on the silver screen. So, are there any movies that try to show us as we really are? A few. 
The Member of the Wedding (1952) is an absolutely wonderful film that shows us at our best. Julie Harris just glows as the awkward Frankie, trying to come to grips with her brother’s impending marriage. Brandon De Wilde, as the pesky little boy next door, and Ethel Waters, as the black mother-substitute, are both just superb. Fred Zinneman gets every ounce out of the Carson McCullers story, and as we dry our tears we are proud of where we come from.
Driving Miss Daisy (1989) explores a seldom-portrayed corner of the South- the Jewish family of means, trying to fit in. Jessica Tandy is much more the Southern lady than she is Jewish; Dan Ackroyd is her well-off son still not comfortable with his religious heritage. Morgan Freeman is the chauffeur hired to drive Miss Daisy, and the relationship between these too is exactly right. 
The Apostle (1997) is Robert Duvall’s project from start to finish- he wrote it, directed and stars as the red dirt, born-again Holy Roller preacher carrying his message to the boondocks. The film is outstanding in its even-handed treatment of people that are mostly laughed at, and its willingness to take the preacher and his flock quite seriously. 
While Tennessee Williams is generally noted for hysterical Southern women and their childish men, he gets it all just right in The Glass Menagerie. A fading Southern belle momma, a pretty crippled daughter, an idealistic son and a level-headed Gentleman Caller turn this recipe into something majestic. And you can have your pick of versions, all excellent: (1987 with Joanne Woodward and John Malkovich), (1973 with Katherine Hepburn and Sam Waterston), or (1950 with Jane Wyman and Kirk Douglas, my favorite).
Many moviegoers (mostly Northerners) contend that To Kill A Mockingbird (1962) is too noble. Well, they need to get over it. Gregory Peck’s inspired portrayal of attorney Atticus Finch, defending an innocent black man against impossible odds and personal danger, has echoed down the years. We can be better; we can be noble and thanks to this fine film for thinking so.  
All of the movies in this column are available on DVD. All are suitable for children 12 and up.
###