"The secret of life? The secret's in the sauce."
Director: Jon Avnet
Cast: Kathy Bates, Jessica Tandy, Mary-Louise Parker, Mary Stuart Masterson, Cicely Tyson
Fried Green Tomatoes — Movie Quotes
Memorable Quotes
Face it, girls, I'm older and I have more insurance.
Context
Spoken after she intentionally rams her car into the Volkswagen of two young women who stole her parking spot and mocked her age.
Meaning
The definitive moment of Evelyn's empowerment, signaling she is no longer afraid to use her age and resources to demand respect.
TOWANDA!
Context
Idgie yells it while driving; Evelyn yells it while breaking down a wall in her house.
Meaning
The primal scream of female liberation and the refusal to be tamed.
Secret's in the sauce.
Context
Spoken to the sheriff who is unwittingly eating the evidence (Frank Bennett's body) at the cafe.
Meaning
A dark double entendre. On the surface, it refers to the BBQ sauce; deeply, it refers to the cover-up of Frank Bennett's murder.
I found out what the secret to life is: friends. Best friends.
Context
Part of Ninny's reflection on her long life and the people she loved.
Meaning
Summarizes the film's central thesis about the necessity of connection.
You're just a bee charmer, Idgie Threadgoode.
Context
After Idgie safely retrieves honey from a wild beehive without getting stung.
Meaning
Acknowledges Idgie's unique magic and ability to navigate dangerous situations unharmed.
Explore More About This Movie
Dive deeper into specific aspects of the movie with our detailed analysis pages