Film Snail

6.7

Beaches

PG-13·1988·123m

Comedy

Drama

Comedy

Drama

Summary

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

Cast

Bette Midler

CC 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 Essex

Mayim Bialik

CC (age 11)

Marcie Leeds

Hillary (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

Robert Ball

Harry

Frank Campanella

Doorman

Diane Frazen

Marjorie

Michael Elias

Seedy Bar Patron

Patrick Richwood

T. Kuhn

Tracy Reiner

Dept. Store Clerk

Zachary Weintraub

ACLU Worker

Nicky Blair

Tavern on the Green Maitre d'

Joshua Levinson

Tavern on the Green Doorman

Lori Marshall

Tavern on the Green Patron

Jenifer Lewis

Diva

Charlotte Crossley

Diva

Julie Bond

Diva

Kimberly Morgan

Diva

Andrea Paris

Diva

Adrienne Parker

Diva

Ken Gibbel

Cowboy Actor

Harvey Miller

The Movie Director

Hector Elizondo

Judge (uncredited)

Whit Hertford

Tom (uncredited)

Garry Marshall

Audition Director (uncredited)

Lori Sigrist

Twin Cousin (uncredited)

Terri Sigrist

Twin Cousin (uncredited)

Crew

Director

Garry Marshall

Novel

Iris Rainer

Screenplay

Mary Agnes Donoghue

Reviews

Wuchak

December 20, 2020

_**Entertaining “Chick flick” with Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey**_

Two preadolescent girls meet on the beach and become lifelong friends living on two different coasts. The brassy CC Bloom (Bette Midler) is a performer living in New York City while the classy, but reserved Hillary (Barbara Hershey) lives on the West Coast. Bubbly Mayim Bialik appears as the 11 year-old version of CC in the opening act while likable John Heard has a fairly notable part.

“Beaches” (1988) is an 80’s “chick flick” that throws in drama, realistic comedy, romance, Broadway entertainment and music. It’s also known as a tearjerker, but it didn’t literally move me in that sense, although I’m sure it would some people. It effectively shows the ups and downs of a long-lasting friendship. Fans of Midler or Hershey will no doubt like it more than me.

The film runs 2 hours, 3 minutes, and was shot California and New York City.

GRADE: B-/C+