Beaches (1988)

User Rating:

6.2/10   

Director:

Garry Marshall

Writers (WGA):

Iris Rainer Dart (novel)
Mary Agnes Donoghue (screenplay)

Release Date:

21 December 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Comedy | Musical

Tagline:

The Friendship You'll Always Remember... In The Film You'll Never Forget

Plot:

A privileged rich debutante and a cynical struggling entertainer share a turbulent, but strong childhood friendship over the years.

Plot Keywords:

Poignant | Affection | One Word Title | 1980s | Melodrama

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Bette Midler	...	Cecilia 'CC' Carol Bloom
Barbara Hershey	...	Hillary Whitney Essex
John Heard	...	John Pierce
Spalding Gray	...	Dr. Richard Milstein
Lainie Kazan	...	Leona Bloom
James Read	...	Michael Essex
Grace Johnston	...	Victoria Cecilia Essex
Mayim Bialik	...	Cecilia 'CC' Carol Bloom (age 11)
Marcie Leeds	...	Hillary Whitney Essex (age 11)
Carol Williard	...	Aunt Vesta
Allan Kent	...	Mr. Melman
Phil Leeds	...	Sammy Pinkers
Lynda Goodfriend	...	Mrs. Myandowski
Nikki Plant	...	Iris Myandowski
Michael French	...	Head Waiter

Also Known As:

Forever Friends

Runtime:

123 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby (35 mm prints) | 70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints)

Certification:

Canada:PG (Ontario) | UK:12 (re-rating) (2002) | UK:15 (original rating) | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Chile:TE | Finland:S | France:U | Peru:PT | Spain:13 | Sweden:Btl | USA:PG-13 | West Germany:12 | Singapore:PG | Iceland:L

Filming Locations:

Claremont, California, USA

Company:

All Girl Productions

Trivia:

The title comes from a quote from "The Princess Bride": "If your love were a grain of sand, mine would be a universe of beaches."

Goofs:

Continuity: When the young Hillary and C.C. are in the hotel restaurant, a man is disturbed by the girls as they sit down. We see him rise, pick his things up off the table and begin to walk away. in the next shot, you see him picking up his things and walking away again.

Quotes:

Victoria Cecilia Essex: [CC and Victoria are walking out of the Hollywood Bowl hand-in-hand following CC's concert... CC has just finished telling her a story from her past... Victoria looks up, totally enchanted] So what else did you do?
CC Bloom: [looking down at Victoria and beaming] Whatever they told me not to!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Alien from L.A. (#6.16)" (1993)

Soundtrack:

I've Still Got My Health

"What will I do without a best friend?" - Cecelia Carol Bloom

"Beaches" is a movie about two people who have family, acquaintances, spouses, careers, etc. but they only had each other when they really needed a friend. That's what makes the ending so hard to take. I think we all can relate to that one or two special people (if you're lucky) in our lives who never actually "go away" even if they don't physically live close to you anymore. Months or even years can go by, but you always pick up where you left off, with ease, when you see or speak to them. You may annoy each other at times, but you will always love each other. They're always with you because you've shared so much. Some of us may never find our romantic long-lasting "soul mate", but this movie makes the excellent point of showing that if you find a true friend in life you are truly blessed.