'' Fried Green Tomatoes '' is a 1991 American comedy-drama film based on the novel '' Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe '' by Fannie Flagg . Directed by Jon Avnet and written by Flagg and Carol Sobieski , it stars Kathy Bates , Jessica Tandy , Mary Stuart Masterson , and Mary-Louise Parker . It tells the story of a Depression-era friendship between two women , Ruth and Idgie , and a 1980s friendship between Evelyn , a middle-aged housewife , and Ninny , an elderly woman . The centerpiece and parallel story concerns the murder of Ruth 's abusive husband , Frank , and the accusations that follow . Released on December 27 , 1991 , the film received a generally positive reception from critics and grossed $ 119 million worldwide . It was nominated for two Oscars at the 64th Academy Awards : Best Supporting Actress ( Tandy ) and Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay Evelyn Couch , a timid , unhappy housewife in her 40s , meets elderly Ninny Threadgoode in an Anderson , Alabama , nursing home where Evelyn 's husband Ed 's Aunt Vesta who has dementia is also staying . Over several encounters with Evelyn , Ninny tells her the story of the now abandoned town of Whistle Stop , and the people who lived there . The film 's subplot concerns Evelyn 's dissatisfaction with her marriage , her life , her growing confidence , and her developing friendship with Ninny . The narrative switches several times between Ninny 's story , which is set between World War I and World War II , and Evelyn 's life in 1980s Birmingham
64th Academy Awards
64th Academy Awards
Fried Green Tomatoes