Mermaids (1990)

An unconventional single mother relocates with her two daughters to a small Massachusetts town in 1963, where a number of events and relationships both challenge and strengthen their familial bonds.

Director:

Richard Benjamin

Writers:

Patty Dann (novel), June Roberts (screenplay)

Stars:

Cher, Bob Hoskins, Winona Ryder

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 3 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Cher	...	Mrs. Flax
Bob Hoskins	...	Lou Landsky
Winona Ryder	...	Charlotte Flax
Michael Schoeffling	...	Joe
Christina Ricci	...	Kate Flax
Caroline McWilliams	...	Carrie
Jan Miner	...	Mother Superior
Betsy Townsend	...	Mary O'Brien
Richard McElvain	...	Mr. Crain
Paula Plum	...	Mrs. Crain
Dossy Peabody	...	Coach Parker
William Paul Steele	...	Boss in Oklahoma
Rex Trailer	...	Dr. Reynolds
Pete Kovner	...	Perfect Family Father
Patricia Madden	...	Perfect Family Mother

Storyline

After yet another failed relationship, Mrs. Flax (Cher) ups her family to the east coast to start all over again. Reluctantly dragged along with her is her daughter Charlotte - going through a very confusing time of her life - who wants to become a nun, and instead falls in love with a quiet, mild-mannered church employee, to the mixed response of her mother. Set at around the time of the Kennedy Assassination.

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Plot Keywords:

single mother | kennedy assassination | nun | massachusetts | novice | 

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Taglines:

Mom Is Many Things. . .Normal Isn't One of Them.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 December 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mi madre es una sirena

Filming Locations:

Big Lake, Texas, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$35,419,397 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Orion Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min 93 min (Ontario - edited)

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was to be the American film debut for director Lasse Hallström, until he repeatedly clashed with lead actress Cher and was replaced first by Frank Oz and then by Richard Benjamin.

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Goofs

Charlotte's blue eye shadow disappears and reappears as she goes to/returns from the hospital.

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Quotes

Charlotte Flax: So Joe, tell me about the nuns in the convent. Do they wear underwear in the shower?

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Connections

Referenced in Alien: Resurrection (1997)

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Soundtracks

"Dominique"
Written by Soeur Sourire and Noel Regney
Performed by Soeur Sourire
Courtesy of Sullivan Productions, Inc.

User Reviews

"The 400 Blows", as seen through a girl's eyes

(Small-town Massachusetts fills in for Paris.)

Every shot, every nuance in this film is just right. That's mostly Richard Benjamin's doing, but the great cast got inspired -- maybe by the glowing fall colours, maybe by the nostalgic fashions of 1963 -- to really outdo themselves.

Richard Benjamin's direction deserves extra credit because he was not filming his own autobiography, the way François Truffaut was in 1959. Similarities in the two storylines encompass more than just the awkwardness of adolescence. (Charlotte watches the Singing Nun on television, while Antoine lights a candle before a holy image of Balzac.)

Cher is as good as she was earlier in "Moonstruck", while Winona exceeds her performance in "Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael". And they both prove they can be pretty in pink.

Bob Hoskins and Cher have a genuine chemistry. Who ever would have predicted that they would make the ideal romantic couple?

If there's a better, truer, or funnier story of a girl's coming of age, I haven't been lucky enough to see it.