Flowers For Fannie

Fannie Fairchild married her high school sweetheart, George, but was widowed just months after becoming a wife. Sixty years later, she realizes that when she dies, there will be no one to put flowers on her grave. She has not kept in contact with relatives, and never took the time to make friends during her career in education. In fact, she has become a lonely, embittered woman who rejects friendly overtures from others.  Her search for a perpetual flower plan includes contacting relatives who either think she wants something from them, or who hope to get something from her.

A young woman named Louise, who is nothing like Fannie, then enters her life. Using Luke 6:31 ("Do to others as you would have them do to you.") as her guideline, Louise decides to use The Golden Rule to reach out to Fannie. This lonely young woman demonstrates a love for Fannie that slowly chips away at the barriers she has put around herself.

 

Tonight there was a special "sneak peek" of  Flowers For Fannie. My interest originally is because someone I used to go to church with, Brandon Oliver, had a small role in it. I thought I would watch at least until I saw Brandon's performance, and then get on with other things. I must admit, though, the story did capture my interest and I grew to care about Fannie, Louise, and the other characters. Some of the acting was not very good, but I was able to overlook much as the story progressed.



The writer/director, Sharon Wilharm, brought together characters that formed a slice of Southern small town life I am familiar with and remember fondly. Keeping graves maintained and fresh flowers on them is a tradition that is not as important as it once was, but it was certainly part of my childhood. This is a charming story that reminds us to respect and cherish our past, but more importantly...love those who are still with us. Just as a flower will wilt and die if it is not nurtured, people need the same love and attention to survive and thrive.

 Read CFDb interview with Sharon and her husband [producer/editor] Fred Wilharm for more info and background.

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Flowers For Fannie website.