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 4 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 | swimming pool | year 1964 | female protagonist | teenage girl | 

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

The role of Lou Landsky was written with Dudley Moore in mind and was cast in the end with Bob Hoskins.

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Goofs

When Charlotte, faints in the hallway you hear her hit the floor but her feet are still moving backwards.

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Quotes

[Lou is going to make dinner]
Kate Flax: Anything that's hot and not shaped like a star sounds good to me.

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Alternate Versions

The versions shown on A&E and Lifetime both have the ending between Cher and Christina Ricci.

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Connections

Featured in MsMojo: Top 10 Best Mother Daughter Movies (2018)

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Soundtracks

Auld Lang Syne
(uncredited)
Traditional Scottish music
Lyrics by Robert Burns

User Reviews

So underrated!

Are we joking? Film, screenplay, Winona Ryder and Cher didn't receive Oscar nominations? And only '56' the critics' metascore? This is pure injustice. This film is so witty and beautifully acted! 👍🏻👍🏻

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 December 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mermaids

Filming Locations:

Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,514,678, 16 December 1990

Gross USA:

$35,419,397

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$35,419,397

Company Credits

Production Co:

Orion Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min 93 min (Ontario - edited)

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1