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

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 December 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Sirene

Filming Locations:

Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,514,678, 16 December 1990, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$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

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to 'The New York Times, "the performance inside the costume was engineered entirely by Cher".

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Goofs

Cher's mermaid wig and costume for the New Year's Eve party is very circa 1990 and looks nothing like what would have been sold in 1963.

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Quotes

Charlotte Flax: Okay mom, if you want to drive Lou away, that's your buisness. If you want Joe, it's war.

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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

Referenced in Cher: The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss) (1990)

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Soundtracks

Stubborn Kind of Fellow
Written by George Gordy, William Stevenson & Marvin Gaye
Performed by Marvin Gaye
Courtesy of Motown Record Company, L.P.

User Reviews

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