Big Girls Don't Cry... They Get Even (1992)

Director:

Joan Micklin Silver

Writers (WGA):

Frank Mugavero (story) and
Mark Goddard (story) ...

Release Date:

8 May 1992 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

A girl fed up with her quirky, disfunctional family runs away from home, casusing all of them to spend time with eachother.

Plot Keywords:

Beach House | Breaking The Fourth Wall | Runaway | Dysfunctional Family | Reference To Don Ho

Cast

Griffin Dunne	...	David
Dan Futterman	...	Josh
Patricia Kalember	...	Barbara
Jenny Lewis	...	Corinne
Ben Savage	...	Sam
Jessica Seely	...	Jessie
Adrienne Shelly	...	Stephanie
David Strathairn	...	Keith
Trenton Teigen	...	Kurt
Margaret Whitton	...	Melinda
Hillary Wolf	...	Laura Chartoff
Sean Blackman	...	Runaway Boy #1
Joe D'Angerio	...	Mr. Zordani
Cory Danziger	...	Leonard
Leslie Kendall Dye	...	Melissa (as Leslie Engelberg)

Also Known As:

Stepkids

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

USA:PG | Iceland:L

Filming Locations:

Arroyo-Seco Ranger District, Angeles National Forest, California, USA

Company:

New Line Cinema

Goofs:

Continuity: As Laura is taking a picture of the Smith family (when she first meets them), she is holding the camera vertically in one shot, and then horizontally in the next.

Quotes:

Laura Chartoff: [to the Courtney Love look-alike after she knocked her to the canvas for ripping up her diary] You're not so tough. Jerk!

Movie Connections:

References "The Brady Bunch" (1969)

Soundtrack:

The Brady Bunch Theme

An Underrated Gem

I have always found this film an enjoyable and fun movie that uses satire to deliver some profound insights into modern American blended families. The film focuses on Laura Chartoff (Hillary Wolf), a delightfully sarcastic and self aware preteen and her dysfunctional family. Laura hates the family situation she has been forced into, but also finds she doesn't know how to convey this to either of her divorced parents, self absorbed and materialistic Melinda (Margaret Whitton) and well meaning but inarticulate David (Griffin Dunne).

After a particularly nasty fight with her mom and stepdad,Keith(David Strathairn) Laura runs away with her stepbrother Josh (Dan Futterman),who is estranged from the family. Soon all of Laura's family arrive at the lake house where she and Josh have been staying, and she takes off again, believing Josh has betrayed her trust.

In the days that follow, Laura will discover some fundamental truths about family as she makes her way alone in the world. Meanwhile,back at the lake, Laura's various family members-parents, stepparents,and siblings all come to realizations about their relationships that are alternately funny, touching, and poignant.

This is truly a great film which few people even know about-an underrated gem. Filled with vibrant performances-especially by the wonderful Dan Futterman, by Patricia Kalembar as Laura's beloved stepmother, Barbara, and by a pre-"Boy Meets World" Ben Savage as Laura's know-it-all half brother, Sam. Do yourself a favor and watch this movie. You won't be disappointed.