Beaches (1988)

29% of critics liked it
(24 reviews)
85% of users liked it
(69,464 ratings)

Based on a novel by Iris Rainer Dart, Beaches traces the 30-year oil-and-water friendship between free-spirited Bronx Jew CC Bloom (Bette Midler) and uptight San Francisco WASP Hillary Essex (Barbara Hershey). The two meet as children in Atlantic City (played by Mayim Bialik and Marcie Leeds) and… More Based on a novel by Iris Rainer Dart, Beaches traces the 30-year oil-and-water friendship between free-spirited Bronx Jew CC Bloom (Bette Midler) and uptight San Francisco WASP Hillary Essex (Barbara Hershey). The two meet as children in Atlantic City (played by Mayim Bialik and Marcie Leeds) and are reunited in the 1960s, when CC is a struggling singer and Hillary is trying to break free from her staid upbringing by becoming an activist. The two ladies room together, then fall out when both are attracted to off-Broadway producer John Pierce (John Heard). CC wins John, but she quickly outgrows him as she matriculates into a bawdy performer. The recently patched-up friendship between CC and Hillary is torn asunder again when Hillary and her new husband express distaste for CC's performing style. Comes the 1970s, and CC and Hillary are reunited after shedding their respective spouses. Broke again, they once more become Manhattan roommates. Their bond strengthens, but there is tragedy in store for the duo. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 2 hr. 3 min.
Directed By: Garry Marshall
Genres: Drama, Musical & Performing Arts, Comedy

In Theaters: Dec 21, 1988 Wide
On DVD: Mar 29, 2005
Studio: Disney

Critic Reviews

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
The film's oily overdefinition of various class and cultural categories is strident enough to betray a condescending attitude toward the audience.
Sarah Wenk, Common Sense Media
Make some popcorn and get out the Kleenex.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Garry Marhsall's unbearabaly schmaltzy and stereotyical medlodrama contrasts a brassy Jewish singer with an elegant WASPy socialite that even actresses like Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey cannot elevate or rescue.
Steve Crum, Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers
Maudlin & weepy with tender performances by Midler and Hershey.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...it seems obvious that certain audiences will get a whole lot more out of it than others.
Tony Whitt, Now Playing Magazine
If director Garry Marshall's intent was to up the Kleenex-count rather than the body count, he succeeded.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
there are few horrors as singularly terrifying as this movie
Betty Jo Tucker, ReelTalk Movie Reviews
A poignant tribute to the joys and tribulations of friendship.
Joshua Tyler, CinemaBlend.com
Every bit as sappy and saccharine as you'd expect
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...a CD album of the songs might be as entertaining as the movie, and it would cost a lot less. (Special Edition DVD)
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
I enjoyed the first forty-five minutes of Beaches. Beyond that, I kept looking at my watch wondering when it was ever going to end.

Read all 11 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Film C

I found the friendship was really weird to be honest, more like a old married couple, that turned into whose cock is bigger slagging match. I did enjoy this movie, i loved the songs and i loved the cast. It was a funny sad drama of friendship that was really captivating. I'd… More
I found the friendship was really weird to be honest, more like a old married couple, that turned into whose cock is bigger slagging match. I did enjoy this movie, i loved the songs and i loved the cast. It was a funny sad drama of friendship that was really captivating. I'd say it is one to watch.
Alice S

Such awful, awful melodrama, but I love it! DID YOU EVER KNOW THAT YOU'RE MY HEEEEROOOO?
Anthony L

A Bette Midler film that didn't make me want to kill myself. I actually really liked it and have been meaning to watch it for some time now. My girlfriend was pleased, out of every awful film she has made me watch, I was told in no uncertain terms I must not hate this film and… More
A Bette Midler film that didn't make me want to kill myself. I actually really liked it and have been meaning to watch it for some time now. My girlfriend was pleased, out of every awful film she has made me watch, I was told in no uncertain terms I must not hate this film and burst her bubble. Phew! Midler is pretty good, Mayim Bialik (what ever happened to her?) was brilliant, Hershey might as well have been played by a cardboard cut-out (Intentional?) and the directing is a little shaky but overall, it's a pretty good slice of 80's chick friendly goodness!
Candy R

Heartwarming story about friendship through illness. Great cast.
Jennifer X

this is my mom's favorite movie. she LOVES bette midler, which i find weird because bette midler always plays really angry women who are totally dislikable. anyways, this movie is quite touching and i'm pretty sure this guy directed princess diaries (?) which wasn't… More
this is my mom's favorite movie. she LOVES bette midler, which i find weird because bette midler always plays really angry women who are totally dislikable. anyways, this movie is quite touching and i'm pretty sure this guy directed princess diaries (?) which wasn't good but this one is. gets a little sappy (or, VERY sappy) but it's a very nice story about best friends and i'm sure everybody has heard the hit "wind beneath my wings". really good songs too, from the riotous otto titsling to the bluesy i've still got my health to the classic under the boardwalk.
danny d

i saw it when i was 9. i dont remember it but i have no interest in seeing it again
Jason S

Chick Flick.
Steve B

Dreck.
Erin C

Very sad! But such a sweet story of friendship.
Lea L

Wonderful Movie..
Lee K

this is one of the wifes faves
Robert F

Terribly fantastic.

Read all 12 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Bette Midler as CC Bloom

            Barbara Hershey as Hillary Whitney Essex

            John Heard as John Pierce

            Spalding Gray as Dr. Richard Milstein

            Lainie Kazan as Leona Bloom

            James Read as Michael Essex

            Grace Johnston as Victoria Essex

            Mayim Bialik as C.C. Age 11

            Marcie Leeds as Hillary Age 11

            Mariann Aalda as Ticket Seller

            Bill Applebaum as Actor 2

            Judith Baldwin as Screaming Woman

            Anne Betancourt as Miss Valdez

            Nicky Blair as Tavern on the Green Maitre d'

            Frank Buxton as Doctor

            Karin Calabro as Actor 4

            Frank Campanella as Frank the Doorman

            Lucinda Crosby as TV Interviewer

            Jane Dulo as Hillary's Neighbor

            Susan Forristal
            
            Diane Frazen as Marjorie

            Michael Bryan French as Head Waiter

            Ken Gibbel as Cowboy Actor

            Lynda Goodfriend as Mrs. Myandowski

            Joe Grifasi as Otto Titsling

            Harvey Keenan as Man in Bagels

            Allan Kent as Mr. Melman

            Phil Leeds as Sammy Pinkers

            Mona Lyden as Actor 1

            Steven Majewicz as Phillipe De Brassiere

            Barbara Marshall as I.C.U. Nurse #2

            Kathi Marshall as Delivery Room Nurse #1

            Lori Marshall as Tavern on the Green Patron

            Arnold McCuller as Hollywood Bowl Backup Singer

            Keith Henry McDaniel as Actor 5

            Charles McGowan as Peasant

            Eddie Mekka as Actor 3

            Ken Miller as Peasant

            Julie Paris as Delivery Room Nurse #2

            Tracy Reiner as Dept. Store Clerk

            Steve Restivo as Pink Palm Bartender

            Patrick Richwood as T. Kuhn

            Bo Sabato as Hollywood Bowl Stage Manager

            Lisa Savage as Michael's Mistress

            Zachary Weintraub as ACLU Worker

            Carol Williard as Aunt Vesta

            Robert Ball as Harry

            Michael Elias as Seedy Bar Patron

            Carla Earle as Hollywood Bowl Backup Singer

            Doris Hess as Maura

            Scott Marshall as Car Rental Agent

            Harvey Miller as Movie Director

            Sam Denoff
            
See full cast

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