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

Christina Ricci's debut.

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Goofs

Although the latter portion of film takes place in January, we never see any evidence of snow, even though the film is set in Massachusetts. Also, the characters don't always seem to dress appropriately for winter in Massachusetts, dressing more as if it were autumn.

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Quotes

Rachel Flax: One thing you can rely on about your father: He can't be relied on.

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Connections

Referenced in Uptown Girls (2003)

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Soundtracks

"I've Found a New Baby"
Written by Jack Palmer & Spencer Williams
Performed by Django Reinhardt
Courtesy of GNP Crescendo Records

User Reviews

A Fun Way to Spend an Evening

Cher and Wynona Ryder are very believable as Mrs. and Charlotte Flax, respectively. Mrs. Flax is a single mom who lives by the motto "Real women never get too old." Her bright, bold, sexy ways make her a special woman but aren't enough to spare her from all the characteristic pains of single motherhood. Moving from town to town with every new relationship, she finds herself at odds her 15 year old daughter, Charlotte.

Charlotte wants to be everything her mother isn't - pious, proper, humble, and pure. Her good intentions, however, are constantly in conflict with her basic nature, which is more like her mothers. Charlotte develops a fierce crush on Joe, the caretaker at a nearby convent. When Mrs. Flax's potentially serious relationship with the endearing Lou, played by Bob Hoskins, hits a rough patch, she too finds herself attracted to Joe. With competition for his affection to add fuel to the fire between Mrs. Flax and Charlotte, the only thing they can seem to agree on is caring for Katie, Charlotte's little sister, charmingly played by a young Christina Ricci. As things come to a head in the small town where the Flaxes are living, Katie's well-being hangs in the balance while both her mom and older sister try to work through their impulses.