Stella (1990)

Stella is determined, courageous, vulgar, unfashionable...and all her daughter has. Through the trials of teenagehood, to the problems of adulthood, Stella will do anything for Jenny...... See full summary »

Director:

John Erman

Writers:

Olive Higgins Prouty (novel), Robert Getchell (screenplay)

Stars:

Bette Midler, John Goodman, Trini Alvarado

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bette Midler	...	Stella Claire
John Goodman	...	Ed Munn
Trini Alvarado	...	Jenny Claire
Stephen Collins	...	Stephen Dallas
Marsha Mason	...	Janice Morrison
Eileen Brennan	...	Mrs. Wilkerson
Linda Hart	...	Debbie Whitman
Ben Stiller	...	Jim Uptegrove
William McNamara	...	Pat Robbins
John Bell	...	Bob Morrison
Ashley Peldon	...	Jenny (age 3)
Alisan Porter	...	Jenny (age 8)
Kenneth Kimmins	...	Security Guard
Bob Gerchen	...	Bartender
Willie Rosario	...	Dancing Waiter

Storyline

Stella is determined, courageous, vulgar, unfashionable...and all her daughter has. Through the trials of teenagehood, to the problems of adulthood, Stella will do anything for Jenny...ending in an selfless, unforgettable sacrifice.

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Plot Keywords:

working class | unwed pregnancy | alcoholism | female protagonist | love | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 February 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Minha Mãe Stella

Filming Locations:

Boca Raton, Florida, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$20,240,128 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Samuel Goldwyn Company, The, Touchstone Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When Ed leaves Stella's in a huff on Christmas Eve, he slams the front door and the wreath falls off. However, when Stella says goodbye to Jenny, the wreath is hanging up again.

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Connections

References Rachel, Rachel (1968)

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Soundtracks

"Fashion By Passion"
Written by Rick Chadock and Dennis Dries
Performed by White Sister

User Reviews

Unusually better than the original

The original with Barbara Stanwyk is saved only by Stanwyk's performance. The story and the other performances are too sickeningly sweet and the film itself is too dated to be really enjoyed today. Bette Midler's version is much more interesting. She is Stella Claire, an independent, free-spirited single woman who gets pregnant and refuses help from her boyfriend (Stephen Collins) or her friend (John Goodman in an underrated performance). She raises her daughter Jenny played so sweetly by Trini Alvarado and then comes to the conclusion that Jenny's father can do better for her and ultimately makes a life-altering decision. Through out the film, there are plenty of laughs, tears and memorable moments mostly between Midler and Alvarado. Marsha Mason co-stars as Jenny's would-be stepmother, who though wealthy turns out to be a very good influence on her. If you like Midler, Goodman or just good films with plenty of emotion you'll enjoy Bette Midler's version of STELLA.