Beaches (1988)

A privileged rich debutante and a cynical struggling entertainer share a turbulent, but strong childhood friendship over the years.

Director:

Garry Marshall

Writers:

Iris Rainer (novel), Mary Agnes Donoghue (screenplay)

Stars:

Bette Midler, Barbara Hershey, John Heard

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bette Midler	...	CC Bloom
Barbara Hershey	...	Hillary Whitney Essex
John Heard	...	John Pierce
Spalding Gray	...	Dr. Richard Milstein
Lainie Kazan	...	Leona Bloom
James Read	...	Michael Essex
Grace Johnston	...	Victoria Essex
Mayim Bialik	...	Cc - Age 11
Marcie Leeds	...	Hillary - Age 11
Carol Williard	...	Aunt Vesta
Allan Kent	...	Mr. Melman
Phil Leeds	...	Sammy Pinkers
Lynda Goodfriend	...	Mrs. Myandowski
Nikki Plant	...	Iris Myandowski
Michael French	...	Head Waiter

Storyline

When the New York child performer CC Bloom and San Fransisco rich kid Hillary meet in a holiday resort in Atlantic City, it marks the start of a lifetime friendship between them. The two keep in touch through letters for a number of years until Hillary, now a successful lawyer moves to New York to stay with struggling singer CC. The movie shows the various stages of their friendship and their romances including their love for the same man.

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Plot Keywords:

friendship | new york | lawyer | singer | letter | 

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Taglines:

The Friendship You'll Always Remember... In The Film You'll Never Forget

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Music

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 December 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Eternamente amigas

Filming Locations:

Tavern on the Green - Central Park at W. 67th Street, Central Park, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$57,041,866 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

All Girl Productions, Silver Screen Partners IV, Touchstone Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

123 min

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) Dolby (35 mm prints)

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Barbara Hershey screen test scenes where filmed on the Plaza Hotel lobby set of Big Business. The scene where Hillary and C.C. are at the store where they have their big fight around the middle of the movie was also filmed on the same set (notice the carpet is the same).

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Goofs

The position of John on the steps outside the theatre, when he and CC are breaking up.

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Quotes

CC Bloom: I, uh
[pause]
CC Bloom: I'm playing a prison guard on death row.
John Pierce: I know, I did the casting.
CC Bloom: Well, I thought I'd have a better part.
John Pierce: Not yet.
CC Bloom: But this isn't me.
John Pierce: Well
[pause]
John Pierce: *Act* like it is.
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theatre 3000: Outlaw (1993)

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Soundtracks

"I Think It's Going To Rain Today"
Music and Lyrics by Randy Newman
Arranged by Marc Shaiman, Arif Mardin, Robbie Buchanan and Robbie Kondor
Produced by Arif Mardin
Performed by Bette Midler

User Reviews

"What will I do without a best friend?" - Cecelia Carol Bloom

"Beaches" is a movie about two people who have family, acquaintances, spouses, careers, etc. but they only had each other when they really needed a friend. That's what makes the ending so hard to take. I think we all can relate to that one or two special people (if you're lucky) in our lives who never actually "go away" even if they don't physically live close to you anymore. Months or even years can go by, but you always pick up where you left off, with ease, when you see or speak to them. You may annoy each other at times, but you will always love each other. They're always with you because you've shared so much. Some of us may never find our romantic long-lasting "soul mate", but this movie makes the excellent point of showing that if you find a true friend in life you are truly blessed.