"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.
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movibuf196215 September 2006...and I think the movie is a treat. Yes, it has schmaltzy moments and it has catty moments, but what melodrama doesn't? It's been a tried-and-true film genre since the 1940's, and shows no signs of fading away yet. But I get sick and tired of society turning a cynical eye on sentiment or love or sensitivity in a film, and dismissing it as a chick flick. (40 years ago, the same type of film was dismissed as a 'woman's picture.' Obviously we haven't come a long way, baby.) What's the point of this tirade? The centerpiece of 'Beaches' is a friendship. Between two women. But it could be between a man and a woman; it could even be between two men, though they probably wouldn't have fought over the same things. But we all possess the same emotions: insecurity, ambition, bitterness when things are bad, joy when things are great. This isn't just reserved for the fairer sex. Bette Midler essays what is close to an autobiographical role: a singer bordering on the multiple-talent bandwagon. We already know Bette can be funny, but when she gets to emote she often sounds raw and untrained- something which makes her acting style seem all the more natural. Barbara Hershey compliments her perfectly as a beautiful socialite-turned-civil-rights-attorney whose face appears to be her fortune, but is smart, humble, and not at all self-absorbed. The film soars highest when the two friends are brought together by life circumstances: celebrating holidays in a cold apartment; playing cards while doing the laundry; conversations thru letters; a beautiful pregnancy montage framed around the song "Baby Mine;" a tragedy in the film's 11th hour featuring Midler cooing a very melancholy "I Think It's Gonna Rain Today." Guaranteed tears in your eyes. And this is all BEFORE the musical finale of "Wind Beneath My Wings."
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KatMiss4 May 2001Garry Marshall's "Beaches" is another examination of friendship and how it can be affected over time. This theme was expertly handled by Arthur Penn in his 1981 masterpiece "Four Friends". "Beaches" is just as powerful, but it's predictable ending prevents it from truly reaching greatness and all sorts of odds and ends stick out.
But maybe it's meant to be that way. It is based on a novel, unread by me, and for all I know it could be truly faithful to the source material. But I can only judge from the film itself. And for one, I am tired of the syrupy ending that was popularized by 1970's excellent "Love Story".
But despite that, Marshall has directed a very good movie here. He may be coasting lately, but "Beaches" proves he's a natural at the type of genre I like best: the serious comedy. We laugh so we may not cry. That may sound corny, but it's true and many of my favorite films are that kind of film: "10" (Blake Edwards, 1979), "The Man Who Loved Women" (Edwards, 1983), "Skin Deep" (Edwards, 1989), "The Apartment" (Billy Wilder, 1960), "The Fortune Cookie" (Wilder, 1966), "Harry and Tonto" (Paul Mazursky, 1974) and "An Unmarried Woman" (Mazursky, 1978) to name a few.
The performances are first rate, especially Bette Midler, whom I'm only used to in comedies. With this film and "Stella". she proves what a truly great actress she really is. She deserved an Oscar nod for this performance. Barbara Hershey is fine as always in the kind of role she can play in her sleep.
One thing that really irritates me is the term "chick flick", which implies that it's only a "women's movie" and men are not only discouraged to see one, but not allowed to even enjoy it. And people I know say that if a man enjoys a so-called "chick flick", he must be gay.
Well, I am definitely heterosexual and am affirmed enough in my manhood to see and enjoy these films. Isn't it about time we just stop the bull and admit that we like these films too? Action is O.K., gore is fine for those who like that kind of thing, but I'd take an intelligent and moving comedy/drama anyday over T&A. And if other guys can't accept that, they're missing out on some good films.
***1/2 out of 4 stars -
patcullene24 October 2020This film was so hard for me to watch as my wife died from cardiomyopathy aged just 28 in 1991, we had/have 2 daughters who were 14mths and 3 yrs old when my wife died. The saddest part was that in late 1990 after my wife had been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy she watched on TV the film Beaches, (unknown to me), on her own in our bedroom and I was outside gardening at that time. I came in to see her later and I could tell she had been crying, when I asked why she had been crying she burst into tears saying she would never see our 2 girls grow up, i said "don't be silly" and gave her a big cuddle. At that time I thought that neither of us knew what her prognosis would be but she did because of the Beaches film but didn't tell me. A few days later she said that she had watched a film called Beaches and just said it was quite sad but gave me no details of the film. After my wife died I was devastated and life was very tough for many years, I'm now 63 and our daughters are 30 and 32, both now older than their mum was when she died and its so sad that they never knew her. They are both very happy today. I met someone in 2006 and we have been living together happily since. Just by chance in about 2014 my partner was going through Netflix and the film Beaches came up, because neither of us had seen it i said lets watch it as my late wife had seen this film and had said that it was sad. I quickly realised why she had said back in 1990 why she wouldn't see our girls grow up and I did cry watching it and thought of my late wife at 27 yrs old knowing that there was no cure and she knew that she wouldn't see her girls grow up 😢😢 I know this isnt much of a review but it brought back so many sad memories and how brave my wife was for not telling me 😢. Please watch the film its worth watching
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famousgir129 December 2001Beaches is a wonderful movie, about two young girls, CC and Hillary who meet each-other whilst they're both on holiday at the same resort. Both of them are quite different from each other, CC being a New York performer and Hillary being a rich kid from San Francisco. The friendship they make though is one that will live on forever and in the movie we seem from the young girls they were when they met each-other to the successful women they are now. Even though they are both now apart from each-other, they keep in touch through letters, until Hillary who's now lawyer moves to New York to stay CC, who's a singer. Once they meet up again, the movie them shows you everything from there romances to the jobs, they're doing now.
The cast in the movie, including Bette Midler, Barbara Hershey and Mayim Bialik, who plays the younger version of Bette Midlers character all give wonderful performances here as usual.
Beaches is simply a classic amazing movie. I love it for many reasons, one being I'm a fan of Bette Midler and Mayim Bialik, who are both absolutely brilliant, the music in the movie is amazing and I absolutely love, "Wind Beneath My Wings". I recommend the soundtrack too and of course main reason for liking this movie is, it's just really nice, sweet and of course beautiful. You have to love it! -
whpratt121 December 2005Was not very certain if I really wanted to view this film, some times Midler can be way out in left field. However, in this film Bette Midler, (CC Bloom),"That Old Feeling",'97 plays a very self-centered person who will stop at nothing to get what she wants and if it is a career on the stage, just forget about love or a husband and children. Barbara Hershey,(Hillary),"Riding the Bullet",'04, is a childhood friend of CC Bloom and in some ways they help each other, even though they are complete opposites. There is plenty of comedy, lots of fighting, and more drama than you can handle. Midler sings outstanding songs we all know by heart and it is a very entertaining film, but very very SAD!
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klaseriksson7922 January 2005There are good movies and there are those you'll never forget that you can see many many times. Beaches definitely goes into the latter category Actually I didn't get to see it until a few years ago, maybe because I'm a guy and this kind of movies aren't what guys usually rent but as one grows up, so does the appreciations for sensitive movies like Beaches.
The book is even better and I wish they had made the movie even longer with more stories from the novel.
I recommend Beaches to both women and men, if you think you couldn't cry from a movie - watch this and see if you're wrong - I was... -
Snoopymichele21 July 2006Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey star as long time friends who sacrifice their personal lives for their careers, but remain loyal to each other through the years.
Midler shows off her singing and dancing talents as CC Bloom, and it is a role that's perfect for her. Hershey plays the elegantly beautiful and Waspy Hillary Whitney to the hilt. The chemistry between them is terrific, but at time the story lags and becomes predictable. John Heard and James Read as CC and Hillary's husbands turn in good performances as well, but they take a back seat to the women.
The film is entertaining, and the friendship as it unwinds is both interesting and engaging to watch. But overall, the movie is so-so. -
Studioart8116 October 2005Among the movies that get to us emotionally, "Beaches" is on the top of my list. Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey convey the story and portray their roles to perfection. Midler also shines with her musical talent much of the time, especially with the theme song "Wind Beneath My Wings." All things considered, the movie is great.
Midler is Ceceila Carol "C.C." Bloom, a New York aspiring entertainer with attitude and a drive to be successful in show business no matter what it takes (which she does). Hershey is Hillary Whitney, a rich kid from San Francisco with little experience beyond her posh and privileged upbringing. She and C.C. meet by chance on a beach in Atlantic City when they are 11 years old. They instantly become friends, and keep in touch with each other over 25 to 30 years through thick and thin (i.e. distance, career challenges, marriage and divorce, fights, jealousy, competition for the same man, etc). Fate and choice bring them together when they need each other most. Ultimately, their bond will be tested in a way they never imagined. How they deal with this challenge is what will determine their destiny as friends.
Midler and Hershey round out the film with believable character development. They have their moments (C.C. can get on your nerves with her ego, and Hillary has her ways), but they prove that friendship weathers the most difficult of circumstances. The small supporting cast is nice as well, including Lainie Kazan as Leona Bloom (C.C.'s mother), John Heard as John Pierce, C.C.'s theater director husband, James Reed as Michael Essex, Hillary's husband, Spalding Gray as Dr. Richard Milstein who Midler takes interest in while living with Hillary in San Francisco, Mayim Bialik and Marcie Leeds as young C.C. and Hillary, and Grace Johnston as Victoria, Hillary's daughter in the latter half of the film. The "Wind Beneath My Wings" montage toward the end will make more than a few emotional. I highly recommend "Beaches" because it will make you truly appreciate and strive for the meaning of friendship and those most important to you! -
gpaltrow20015 September 2006Where do we start? With the overacting, the scenery-chewing? Okay, let's talk about the maudlin script first. In attempting to make us sad, we are fed forced scenes designed to make us care about these unlikable characters. One is brash, annoying, rude, selfish and mean. The other is hypocritical, deceitful, boring, and not as pretty as some think. At the end I didn't care for either of these women. Their regrets were too little, too late, and not believable. The music? Saccharine sweet-- ugh. I LOVE Bette Midler, but in a movie where she must play sympathetic and dramatic at some point, she comes across as if she's in a comedy. Is it fair to mention Barbara Hershey's lips? Uh, yes, she made a choice (a bad one) and has to live with it. Poor her. My guess is my girlfriend loves this film. I'll ask her. But if this film were a bit more over-the-top, it would rank up there with 'Mommie Dearest' and 'Showgirls' for unintentional comedy. I could go on, but it would be all bad...
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It has got to be said that there are not many movies these days that will make you laugh and cry the way Beaches does...... from the hilarious 'Otto Titsling' song (which had me in creases!) to the powerful and emotional ending to the film, in which 'Wind Beneath My Wings' is immortalised.
This is a film that has touched everyone I know that has seen it, and is a timeless classic that really illustrates the true meaning of friendship.
A true 'Chick Flick'...... definitely well worth watching if you haven't seen it...... And If you don't cry, you certainly are not human! -
xanagu693 June 2001"Beaches" is definitely one of those movies you watch when you're in the mood to just have a good cry, and nothing else. Critics have hammered this movie because of its predictablility and overtly melodramatic flow, but in a strange way it is what I like about this movie. For some reason, this movie sits well with me, and I am usually a very thorough critic of films. Perhaps it is because I happened to catch the movie when I was just hanging out at home with nothing to do.
Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey were pretty good as chums, and I actually began to care about the characters. Impressive cast also helps to make "Beaches" a pleasant watch, and although the script isn't neccessarily impeccable, it is still worth seeing. Also the soundtrack to the movie is worth the effort.
My overall rating is a 6.8 out of 10. -
Beaches is one of those easily placed movies into the category of chic flick. It's a great date movie because no girl can resist tears throughout. WOMEN LOVE THIS MOVIE. And because they love it so much it's not wise to bash it in front of them. I'll probably receive tons of angry e-mails for my description of this movie. As noted before Women LOVE THIS MOVIE. If youre a guy it the torturous equal of Ned Beatty's southern surprise in Deliverence. It's so bad you'd rather have your older brother beat you with a hot wheels race track. Preparing to watch it is like driving to the proctologists's office. The whole movie is about two women and their life long friendship (That's original) Bette Midler couldn't be more annoying. There is a way to survive this though. Take four valium, chug one huge bottle of NyQuil original green death flavor, close your eyes and imagine watching The Dirty Dozen. Hopefully you'll sleep long enough to miss Beaches, Steel Magnolias, and the worst of the worst The Joy Luck Club.
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jackpurvin22 July 2003a very moving movie, about a friendship with barbara hershey and bette midler.. very sad from brooklyn,, and bette midler is great, and john hurt is also fantastic. see it one time for it is a very sad and heart wrenching movie. taxes the soul with strong emotion, especially for the feeling of lost ones and lost friends.
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Pelrad9 April 1999I was in another country once where the only American films they showed in the cinema were either the ultra-violent (Jean-Claude Van Damme / Steven Segal movies) or the ultra-steamy (e.g. "Basic Instinct", "Pretty Woman"). Many parents would refuse to let their children watch these, allowing them only to watch Indian movies. I tried frantically to convince some of the locals that there were many other kinds of American films that they would love. They didn't believe me. So, I rented a video - "Beaches". After watching it, the people around me were shocked and said, "I like American movies now!"
Two unlikely friends meet by chance in childhood and keep up their friendship over the years through ups and downs, crises and victories, and reversing economic positions more than once. They inspire each other and fight over the same men. Hershey plays a girl raised in a rich conservative family while Midler plays an eccentric and poor show-biz wannabe. Midler becomes rich and famous and Hershey rejects her pompous upbringing becoming a poor lawyer working for the A.C.L.U.. But Midler cannot handle the new fame and fortune and Hershey cannot deal with her new lifestyle devoid of pampering. This rare tale of female friendship is a brilliantly-acted tearjerker. (10 out of 10) -
Tim.NYC16 March 2000I love Bette Midler. I just do. But I feel some of her films haven't been up to the calibre she is capable of. Beaches is NOT one of these films.
A beautifully sappy film about two friends from opposite sides of the tracks - as children, they befriend each other on the beaches of Atlantic City where a young Cee-Cee (Midler) is a hopeful child-star-wannabe. We see their lives as they grow up and apart from each other, only to see that the true friendship has never gone from their lives, no matter how burdensome their relationship has become.
Barbara Hershey is wonderful as the friend from the right side of the tracks, and Mayim Bialik is eerily yet perfectly cast as a young Midler. Lainie Kazan is fantastic (as always) as Midler's stage-mother Leona.
Get your tissues out, but also get ready to laugh through this beautifully written, comical and tragic story about true friendships. -
stayspoiled20 November 2004This movie touched on so many emotions.I watched the movie so many times i can recite it by memory.I'll never get tired of this movie.Too bad that movies aren't made like this too often.I always cry at the same spots,over and over again.The part that makes me cry the most is when Hilary is dying and her and Cece are sitting on the beach and the look at each other and then the sunset.I start balling. Then poor little Victoria at the funeral and driving away in the limo away from her home!!! and at the end of the movie when CeCe finishes her concert and walks up the stairs with Victoria and the voices of when Cece and Hillary as children say "keep in touch" and "we are friends,,aren't we".This movie..i love it!
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gcd702 December 2007Either this film improves with each viewing, or I'm just getting more and more sentimental as the years go by.
Garry Marshall's best film to date ("Pretty Woman" and the depressing "Frankie and Johnny" followed), "Beaches" tells the story of a lifelong friendship, its ups and its downs, its trials and its triumphs. Bette Midler gives another solid performance as the showy C.C. Bloom, yet to her credit Barbara Hershey is not overawed by Midler's strong presence and gives an equally fine performance as Hillary. The two share a bond which lasts through all their good and bad years.
This is a nicely balanced picture which always stays true to life, never becoming melodramatic nor manipulative. A poignant and often funny film which benefits from Ms. Midler's fine voice and music.
Monday, October 4, 1993 - Video
"Beaches" is a strong drama which tells the tale of two lifelong friends whose bond survives both thick and thin.
Director Garry Marshall's stable control keeps the film well balanced while he shows a good understanding of the "genre", as it were. The two lead performances, both world's apart, cap off a most enjoyable film.
Sunday, March 13, 1994 - T.V. -
bevo-136789 April 2020I like the bit where she asks if she could take her cat
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hitchcockthelegend9 March 2010Two young girls meet whilst on holiday in Atlantic city. Tho both of them are from vastly different backgrounds they strike up a friendship that will literally last a lifetime.
Directed by Gary Marshall, Beaches is adapted by Mary Agnes Donoghue from Iris Rainer Dart's novel, and stars Bette Midler & Barbara Hershey as the two female protagonists taking on the trials and tribulations of life and friendship. Unashamedly a hankie dampener first and foremost, Beaches is ever watchable in spite of its over sentimental structure and reliance on clichés at every turn. Tho it at times feels like an excuse for Midler to flex her lungs, her character thankfully calls for her to show some range. Which she duly delivers thru a number of emotional crises' and a battle against her own innate selfishness. Hershey is perfect foil, a touch classy, fashionable and truly heartfelt as the finale draws in like some dark party pooper. The guys in the girls loves come an go, and by and large they are stereotypically drawn. Each one serving only to bring the girls closer together. While the ending itself, backed up by the wonderful Midler rendition of "Wind Beneath My Wings," is nicely handled and has an air of dignity about it.
It's another film in the long line of film's made to tug the heartstrings. Specifically in this case, those belonging to the ladies. So with that, as a guy myself, I felt a touch alienated by the movies approach work. But be that as it may, there's no denying the impact the piece can have if one is prepared to commit emotionally to it. At times funny, and even breezy for a large portion of its running time, Beaches lives or dies by its final quarter. With that, it's a winner that ultimately has achieved all it set out to do. 6.5/10 -
Extraordinary_Machine10 May 2005Beaches
After receiving some disturbing news, CC Bloom (Bette Midler) abandons her upcoming music concert and travels across the country. As she drives her car, she recalls when she, then an aspiring starlet, first met a lost girl, Hillary Essex (Barbara Hershey), on a beach thirty years ago. Instantly developing a friendship, the two girls would not see each other in person again for several years, but stayed in contact through letters. Hillary, now a college student, decides to put her law studies on hold and move to New York City to find CC, who is working as a lounge singer and struggling actress, and who instantly takes Hillary under her wing.
Okay, I have to admit that I'm a sucker for these sugary melodramas (as long as they are done well, like 'Steel Magnolias'), but 'Beaches' is more sugar substitute than anything. Every moment of the film is designed for maximum emotional effect, and you can literally feel Garry Marshall stuffing the onions up to your eyes during the final act. It's just so manipulative and trite. 'Beaches' is lost in a sea of marriages, divorces, babies, terminal illnesses, and everything else that you're likely to find in your average television movie of the week. Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey are alright, but they're mismatched, and the child actresses that play their characters at the beginning of the film are a lot better. There's one mildly moving moment, where Midler's song "Wind Beneath My Wings" is used, but that moment was never earned. I really thought I'd like this movie, but it ends up that it may be the second most annoyingly corny movie ever after 'My Girl'.
~ 4/10 ~ -
vindog14 January 2000A chick flick that appeals to all. The "sunset/hearse" cut was the most poignant death scene I've ever seen in film. Have to admit I was teary on that one. This is the kind of film that tugs at the heartstrings..guy or gal
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wes-connors13 April 2013Years ago, on the beach at Atlantic City, two 11-year-old girls strike up a friendship. One is a poor Jewish performer from the Bronx and the other is a rich WASP tyke from San Francisco. Although they are very different, the youngsters immediately bond. They keep in touch by writing letters. For some unexplained reason, the girls do not see each other in person until they are all grown up. Still struggling to make in on the stage, obviously Broadway-bound Bette Midler (as Cecilia Carol "CC" Bloom) welcomes beautiful attorney Barbara Hershey (as Hillary "Hill" Whitney) as her New York City roommate...
Trying to separate herself from her father's millions, Ms. Hershey wants to help poor people with her lawyer skills. Things take an expected turn when Ms. Midler's handsome director John Heard (as John Pierce) notices Hershey's beauty. The event foreshadowed in the opening and throughout becomes a reality. Near the end, Midler sings her #1 Grammy-award winning hit "Wind Beneath My Wings". This is a formula-type movie which doesn't add anything interesting to the genre. One improvement could have been to show more form Hershey's perspective; nonetheless, she makes an equal or superior impression...
During the pregnancy portions, Midler and Hershey are shown in a few clips - just having fun together. This elevates their friendship for the viewer and should have been done earlier, when they met as adults. Instead, we almost immediately see them in conflict over the silly (Christmas carols) and the serious (men). For half the film, the chemistry is missing. Still, it's a good story for Midler and her hit single is used to great effect (and it's about a friend, not a lover). Young performers Grace Johnston (as Victoria), Mayim Bialik (as little CC), and Marcie Leeds (as little Hill) benefit beautifully from Garry Marshall's direction.
****** Beaches (12/21/88) Garry Marshall ~ Bette Midler, Barbara Hershey, John Heard, Grace Johnston -
two-ton7 July 1999What a joke of a movie. The writing was especially bad...the acting wasn't much better. I like tearjerkers, but this one had me laughing due to the inane dialogue. What a joke!