Source: kalafundra.com
After watching this movie, I learned that true dedication means consistently writing letters to someone for practically a lifetime. Beaches, directed by Garry Marshall and starring Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey, tells the story of C.C. and Hillary, two friends who meet on the beach in Atlantic City as children and remain close for the rest of their lives. Even though Hillary comes from an insanely rich family, the two friends never see each other in person again until adulthood. By this time C.C., a struggling musician, lives in New York City waiting for her big break and Hillary goes to law school and struggles with her father’s high expectations for her. One day Hillary randomly shows up in New York out of the blue and proceeds to move in with C.C. Despite never having met in person besides one day in Atlantic City as children, the friendship survives and the roommates remain best friends despite some very strange jealousy issues. As time progresses, Hillary moves back to San Francisco to take care of her father and marry a “well bred” man who ends up cheating on her, and C.C. becomes a successful actor and musician. Once separated again, the two continue to correspond via letters, and the friendship and letters stand the test of time. Well, that’s only mostly true. During a confusing visit to New York, Hillary gets in a fight with C.C. about nothing in a Macy’s (this was actually a great scene) and afterwards refuses to answer C.C.’s letters for what seems to be a few years. Hillary is definitely the more irritating of the two, especially in that moment. When you’ve managed to send letters consistently with someone for this long, you do not stop because of your unexplained jealousy issues! Commit! Anyway, eventually the two rekindle the friendship. I won’t ruin anymore of the plot, but I found the film very touching.
They really found the perfect girl to play little C.C. Bloom. Source.
Highlights include two very strange, long scenes from musicals that C.C. stars in and an excellent argument in a Macy’s that I already mentioned before and that I plan on reenacting in the future in an actual Macy’s. I recommend this film to fans of Bette Midler (Hocus Pocus, anyone?) and to anyone who loves a good friendship story. Also I feel it’s important to note that Barbara Hershey, who plays Hillary, also plays Nina’s mother in Black Swan. When I realized this I didn’t know whether to be horrified or ecstatic, but I chose ecstatic. Watch Beaches with your best friend!
My rating: 6.3/10
(Actually) Lost in Translation 