<P> Evelyn Couch, a timid, unhappy housewife in her forties, meets elderly Ninny Threadgoode in an Anderson, Alabama, nursing home . 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 . </P> <P> Ninny's story begins with tomboy Idgie Threadgoode, the youngest of the Threadgoode children, whom Ninny describes as her sister - in - law . Idgie's close relationship with her charming older brother, Buddy, is cut short when he is hit by a train and killed . Devastated, she recedes from formal society for much of her childhood and adolescence until Buddy's former girlfriend, the straitlaced Ruth Jamison, intervenes at the request of the concerned Threadgoode family . </P> <P> Idgie initially resists Ruth's attempts at friendship, but gradually a deep attachment develops between them . Ruth leaves Whistle Stop to marry Frank Bennett and moves to Valdosta, Georgia . Idgie tries to forget her but later visits her house to find her pregnant and subject to physical abuse from Frank . Against his wishes and violent attempts to stop her, she returns to Whistle Stop with Idgie, where her baby, a boy whom she names Buddy, Jr., is born . Papa Threadgoode gives Idgie money to start a business so she can care for Ruth and Buddy, Jr . She and Ruth open the Whistle Stop Cafe, employing the family cook, Sipsey, and her son, Big George, who excel with a barbecue that becomes popular with their patrons . </P> <P> Frank eventually returns to Whistle Stop to kidnap Buddy, Jr., but his attempt is thwarted by an unseen assailant, and he is later reported missing . Once his truck appears at the bottom of a nearby drying lake without its owner, Idgie is immediately a suspect, as she had publicly threatened violence against him for beating Ruth . She is detained along with Big George for his murder by Grady Kilgore, the local sheriff, who offers to release her and pin the crime solely on Big George; she refuses to sacrifice him . During the subsequent trial, the local minister, Reverend Scroggins, has no problem lying, providing Idgie and Big George with sound alibi for the time of Frank's disappearance . Taking into account his reputation for getting drunk, the judge rules his death an accident and dismisses the case . Idgie and Big George are cleared of all charges . </P>

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