Mermaids *** (1990, Cher, Bob Hoskins, Michael Schoeffling, Winona Ryder, Christina Ricci) – Classic Movie Review 3338

Director Richard Benjamin’s popular 1990 US comedy stars Cher as an eccentric single mother called Mrs Flax who, after yet another failed relationship, moves to a small Massachusetts town in 1963 with her precocious daughters Charlotte and Kate (Winona Ryder and Christina Ricci).

There they are welcomed by separated old softie Lou Landsky (Bob Hoskins) and handsome young hunk Joe (Michael Schoeffling). Confused Charlotte, who wants to become a nun, falls for a meek church employee.

With a tidy screenplay by June Roberts based on a 1986 novel by Patty Dann, this is an amiable 1960s-set romantic comedy with pleasant performances by the nice cast and easygoing direction. The results are pretty, cosy and sweet, and the movie is welcome for it.

Despite the title, there are no mermaids however! Ricci’s older sister and brothers appear as extras in the swim meet scene.

Also in the cast are Richard McElvain, Caroline McWilliams, Betsy Townsend, Paula Plum, Dossy Peabody and Jan Miner as the Mother Superior.

Cher sings ‘The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s in His Kiss)’ over the closing credits, and it became her first ever solo number one single.

Fair-haired Emily Lloyd was dumped from the film as Charlotte after Cher said she could not look like her daughter. She sued the film company and reached a settlement in a trial in 1991.

Richard Benjamin replaced Frank Oz, who had replaced Lasse Hallström.

Patty Dann says: ‘It was a wild experience. I like the movie very much. The first time I saw it without music it had a very different feel, and it took a while to get used to the soundtrack. Now I put the music on sometimes when I clean the house.’

British national treasure Bob Hoskins was forced to retire suffering from Alzheimer’s in 2012 and died of pneumonia on April 29 2014, aged 71.

© Derek Winnert 2016 Classic Movie Review 3338

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