Mermaids (1990)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Director:

Richard Benjamin

Writers (WGA):

Patty Dann (novel)
June Roberts (screenplay)

Release Date:

14 December 1990 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

This is our mother. Pray for us.

Plot:

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.

Plot Keywords:

Mother | Single Mother | Nun | Kennedy Assassination | Massachusetts

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 3 wins

Cast

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

Runtime:

110 min | Canada:93 min (Ontario - edited version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Singapore:NC-16 | Iceland:L | Portugal:M/12 | Canada:PA (Ontario) | New Zealand:PG | Australia:M (TV rating) | Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | Chile:14 | Finland:K-12 | France:U | Germany:12 | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Big Lake, Texas, USA

Trivia:

Emily Lloyd had actually started shooting when Winona Ryder became available and Lloyd was unceremoniously dumped. (She later won a sizeable cash settlement from the production company for being booted off the film). Original director Frank Oz was also replaced, reputedly at Cher's insistence.

Goofs:

Factual errors: 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.

Quotes:

Charlotte Flax: Oh god. I think I might be pregnant with the next Jewish Italian Messiah

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Jam & Jerusalem: Christmas Panto (#1.7)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

Big Girls Don't Cry

Funny older and still can touch your heart.

I have to say that this movie is incredibly underrated. The movie is from the daughter's point of view and Ryder does an excellent job playing the purtian to Cher's mother role. I can't believe Christina Richie's first role- even back then she was incredible. She has a way of stealing the movie. This movie has a sad vibe. Here's the point of the movie, once you see it , you can remember the feelings and 10 years later I'm able to remember how wonderful it is. The music to the movie is awesome. I, along with several of my friends have this soundtrack which makes me think this was one of the first true soundtrack purchases from the 90's