Are Ninny and Idgie the Same Person in Fried Green Tomatoes?

Is Idgie the Older Woman in Fried Green Tomatoes?

Yes and No. Depends on how you view the story in the movie. In the book it is clear that Ninny and Idgie are two different people. The movie hints that Ninny and Idgie could be the same person but leaves room for doubt.

Who is Ninny Threadgoode?

In Fried Green Tomatoes an older woman named Ninny, played by Jessica Tandy, tells stories from her childhood to Evelyn (Kathy Bates); these stories are the basis for the flashback scenes we see in the movie. Ninny tells Evelyn that she was married to Idgie’s brother Cleo Threadgoode, so why do people think that Ninny is actually Idgie?

Ninny and Idgie Could Be the Same Person

• Idgie was known for telling tall tales (the author/screenwriter even gave her family the last name Threadgoode, which is similar to ‘spin yarn’), she could be telling the story in 3rd person to make it more interesting.

• Several of the life stories Ninny shares match up differently in the flashback. Such as when she tells Evelyn about her son being born, then we see a flashback of Ruth having a baby. When she says she always had a crush on Buddy, the movie cuts to a flashback of Buddy and Idgie. This could be her taking parts of what really happened and adding in false details about her (as Ninny) own life.

• Idgie, in her 80s, could be misremembering the stories and think she is someone named Ninny.

• In the movie we never see Ninny or her husband Cleo in the flashback scenes. If Ninny was able to recount these stories, why don’t we see her in these scenes?

• Towards the end of the movie when Evelyn is in Ninny’s room there are photos of Idgie & Ruth and then one of just Ruth. Why would Ninny have a photo of just Ruth on her nightstand?

• There is a note from Idgie at Ruth’s grave, Ninny could’ve put it there before Evelyn showed up.

But on the other hand…

• When recounting a story Ninny says she had a crush on Buddy, Idgie’s brother. If Ninny was really Idgie, would she have said this about her brother?

• Ninny had a roommate, Mrs. Otis, who she has known for years; Mrs. Otis was Sipsey’s younger sister. Wouldn’t she know if Idgie became Ninny?

• We might not see Ninny and Cleo in the flashback scenes because the story focuses on Ruth and Idgie.

• At Ruth’s grave there is a note and a jar of honey. If Ninny is Idgie where did she get a jar of honey?

So, Was Idgie Ninny in Fried Green Tomatoes?

It’s up to interpretation in the movie, but they are two different people in the book.