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 | religious | swimming pool | year 1964 | female protagonist | 

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Taglines:

This is our mother. Pray for us.

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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:

Mi madre es una sirena

Filming Locations:

Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$31,000,000 (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

Cher's character, Mrs. Flax, is mostly known by that title, without her first name, Rachel.

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Goofs

The subtitle "1963" is shown as Charlotte watches Soeur Sourire perform "Dominique" on the 5 January 1964 broadcast of "The Ed Sullivan Show".

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Quotes

Charlotte Flax: [while being dressed up like her mother] Care to dance, Mrs. Flax?

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Connections

Referenced in The Chase Australia: Episode #1.21 (2015)

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Soundtracks

The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)
Written by Rudy Clark
Performed by Cher
Courtesy of Geffen Records

User Reviews

A magic potion!

A delightful period piece set appropriately in 1963. Appropriate because Charlotte (Wynona Ryder), like the nation, is about to shed a little of her innocence and face some difficult realities. Cher, Ryder and an adorably young Christina Ricci are perfect as a single parent family. Cher, in her best work ever, including Moonstruck, is a free-spirited mom who only cooks finger food because anything else is too much of a commitment. Ryder, who narrates the film from her character's perspective, is a high school student who, despite her fervent wish to lead a devout life, falls in love with the local handyman. Ricci is the youngest, a champion swimmer who steals the whole movie with scenes like her pumpkin scene. (Watch it and you'll know what I'm talking about. It's unforgettable.) Bob Hoskins is hilarious as the shoe salesman who falls head over heels for Cher, family and all.

Set in coastal Massachusetts, the scenery is breathtaking, and the idyllic depiction of life in a small town in the last days of American innocence is dead on. Director Richard Benjamin, who also gave us such charming films as Milk Money and My Stepmother is an Alien, rivals Penny Marshall and Rob Reiner with this gem.

This film is perfection, an absolute 10. It's a magic potion that can make me laugh and feel good even on the worst day. I sometimes wish I could step inside a la Pleasantville and stay there.