Two 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
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