Question: Is Ninny Threadgood (Jessica Tandy) really Idgie? It seems so at the end, when Evelyn finds the honey at Ruth's grave. Both Ninny and Evelyn share a sly smile, but nothing is said for sure. Anyone know?
Answer: As in the book, they are separate people. Ninny introduced herself to Evelyn as Idgie's sister-in-law, that she was married to one of Idgie's brothers: Cleveland or Theo.
Question: What's the title and the author of the painting that is covered with the mirror when Ruth dies?
Answer: The title is "Cherry Ripe" by the 19th century pre-raphaelite author John Everett Millais.
Question: Who was Ninny staying with in the nursing home?
Answer: A friend named Mrs. Otis who was not a major character in the movie.
Question: Why does Ed's Aunt Vesta throw candy at Evelyn? Why is she not shown?
Answer: She's a grouchy, hateful, possibly senile woman who doesn't like Evelyn, despite the gifts she brings her. As for not showing her, it's funnier to try to imagine what she looks like.
Question: What happens to Ruth's son Buddy?
Chosen answer: No, Ninny is exactly who she says she is. It's clearer in the book because Ninny dies and Evelyn finds the honey and the note for Ruth when Evelyn goes to see Ninny's grave.
wolfchild
It's common for screenplays to take liberties from their source material. In the book they are two separate people but in the screenplay, they've changed it to make them the same person.