Mermaids (1990)

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 | Massachusetts | Kennedy Assassination | Nun | Single Mother

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:

In the scene where Charlotte and her mother fight about Kate's accident, Charlotte gets angry and breaks a plate. The scene ends with her mother slapping her in the face after a rude comment. The exact same things happened in Cher's film Mask (1985).

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

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Uptown Girls (2003)

Soundtrack:

The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)

Experiencing a new life..

Okay, it's a strange summary.. but maybe it sums up what a play originally was about. This movie takes us into the intimate world of an oldest daughter's coming of age in a transient single-parent family. We haven't all experienced this. If we have, this story would be pointless. The point is the differing experience, there is no value in merely reflecting viewers' own realities.

As for me, the drawing card was Winona Ryder. The surprise is the supporting cast: a very young Christine Ricci, wild Cher, horny Bob Hoskins, all make a wonderful compliment to Winona's portrayal of a young woman in the early American sixties.

The movie title is deceptive. I suspect the book would be a little clearer in explaining the meaning. It is Cher who dresses up as a mermaid, yet the characters of Winona and Christine who may be the "mermaids." The story, despite this, is a clearly directed and wholly engaging thought-provoker, and well worth your time in watching it.