Mermaids

"Mermaids,"(1990) starring the well-known singer-actress-entertainer Cher, is another good romantic comedy that came along on the heels of the 1980s. The clarion-voiced Cher, of course, has been singing since the mid-60's, with her then-husband, Sonny Bono and without him, and has had many chart-topping hits; they had a widely popular television show in the 1970s. The actress won an Oscar for "Moonstruck," also made "Silkwood," "The Witches of Eastwood," and "Mask.""Mermaids" is, without doubt, a chick flick. It was orignally meant to be the Scandinavian director Lasse Hallstrom's American film debut; however, Cher didn't care for his work. Neither did she care for Frank Oz's. So it was directed by former actor Richard Benjamin. Unfortunately, many sophisticates can't say "Richard Benjamin," without, in the same breath, declaring "tv sitcom." And when it's a chick flick too, well, the scorn.The movie also stars the English Bob Hoskins, playing Lou Landsky, lusty, unlikely love interest to Cher's Mrs. Rachel Flax. The child Christina Ricci made her debut as Kate, Mrs. Flax's younger daughter, born to swim. Winona Ryder holds the camera as the older daughter, Charlotte, in heavy flirtation with Catholism although the Flaxes are Jewish. Ryder was then a child star, more particularly a teenage star, until Angelina Jolie stole "Girl Interrupted," out from under her, and she had her regrettable adventure in shoplifting. Oddly enough, the English teenage star Emily Lloyd had been signed to play this part, but she was blond. Cher, who evidently had a lot of say on this picture, thought viewers were unlikely to accept a blond as her screen daughter. So Ryder was brought in, and Lloyd received a studio settlement.The picture's set in a lovingly recreated 1963, and treats the major world event of that year, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, with considerable discretion and grace. Mrs. Flax is a hot-blooded single mother who gets herself into talked-about trouble with men, then moves on to the next randomly-selected town. Her daughters just must get in the car. We open with the Flaxes' relocation to a pretty Massachusetts coastal town, where Mrs. Flax and, this time, her older daughter, will meet men. Kate will win swim meets.The cinematography gives us plenty of pretty. The soundtrack's chock-a-block with early 60's hits. Included on the soundtrack, for sure, is Cher's adaptation of "The Shoop Shoop Song," initially made a hit by Little Eva; now far better known as "It's In His Kiss," by Cher. The script's witty: in an often-quoted line, Flax dismisses one of her daughter's teachers as a guy who drives an Edsel. Does "Mermaids" have the heart of a sitcom? Well, it has heart, for sure-- it's really about family. And I don't watch tv sitcoms, can't abide them, but I love this movie. The final, touching scenes, where the Flaxes dance around their kitchen, setting the table to Jimmy Soul's irresistible "If You Want to be Happy the Rest of Your Life, Never Make a Pretty Woman Your Wife," perfectly express the relaxed intimacy, and joy, of family life, and present us another moving, off-handed movie dance scene.

I love Cher,Winona, and Christina Ricci’s performances! Such a great classic!

There is everything to love about this movie. Reminded what a wonderful actress Cher is in addition to vocal magic. Winona Ryder always delivers a memorable performance. The emotional upheavals woven throughout are felt to the core. The relationship between Lou and Mrs. Flax is complicated but one you begin to believe will last, even if it doesn't end in a marriage. They definitely have a marriage of the heart. Joe and Charlotte. Both knew the relationship could not get past the near death of Charlottes sister. A great offering for a Cher fan or anyone who wants to sink their teeth into a great movie.

A very enjoyable movie with wonderful characters. The storyline supposedly follows the actual life of Cher's mother,who changed locations every time she changed lovers. But all of Mermaids takes place in one location only, somewhere with "trees and weather" near Boston. Cher, at age 54, plays the role of Mrs. Flax, an eccentric mother at least twenty years younger--and does so very persuasively. Her two daughters are played by Winona Ryder as Charlotte, aged 15, and adorable 10-year old Christina Ricci as Kate, a champion swimmer. The late Bob Hoskins--the Danny DeVito of British cinema--is Cher's love interest and a very likeable fellow to whom Mrs. Flax has difficulty in committing. Charlotte, Winona's character, has her own peculiarities such as being enamored with Catholicism even though Mrs. Flax claims to be Jewish. She falls heads over heels in love with a 20-year old who is the caretaker of a nearby convent and also the school bus driver. With the exception of one major turning point toward the end of the movie, the rest of the film concerns itself with acquainting us with personalities of the Flax family, and the fluid dynamics of their interactions. There is much humor to this movie but also scenes of conflict and tragedy. Unquestionably, it deserves 5 stars.

Great movie! Could watch over and over!!

Bittersweet Coming-of-Age Story about a Teenage Girl, her precocious little sister, whose only goal is to swim the English Channel; and her vivacious & impetuous mother whose commitments are only temporary. Set in the Early 1960s the Trio of Mermaids tries to "move on", once again by setting up house in the small New England Town of Eastport, Massachusetts. Here their nearest neighbors are a Convent, the young & handsome Caretaker and the first stable Father Figure they've ever known.Cher is outstanding as 'Rachel Flax'; and the strained & tenuous relationship with her eldest daughter 'Charlotte' (Winona Ryder) who's struggling with her identity, her faith & her foundationless up-bringing, who is the Big Sister of the aquatic 'Katie' (Christina Ricci) tests the bonds of the love between a mother & daughter.You'll laugh, you'll cry & you'll realize that 'Home' can be anywhere you find the Comfort & Security of those you love the most & who love you the most back.

Cercavo questo disco da tempo! Venditore gentilissimo e velocissimo nella spedizione! Grazie mille 🙏🏻

Zum immer wieder sehen!

La vi de niño. Me encantó y estoy muy feliz de conseguirla.

i like all the stars in it and it is just a fun movie

una película que tenia tiempo buscando y que en otros sitios es sumamente cara, la conseguí con amazon por un excelente precio y resulta ser mejor de lo que dice la descripción, ya que también cuenta con audio en español y no solo subtitulos, una excelente opción, no la desaprovechen!