Mermaids (1990 film)
| Mermaids | |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Richard Benjamin |
| Produced by |
Lauren Lloyd Wallis Nicita Patrick J. Palmer Suzanne Rothbaum |
| Written by |
Patty Dann (book) June Roberts (screenplay) |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Jack Nitzsche |
| Cinematography | Howard Atherton |
| Edited by | Jacqueline Cambas |
| Distributed by | Orion Pictures |
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Release date
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Running time
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110 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $31 million |
| Box office | $35,419,397 (US Only) |
Mermaids is a 1990 American comedy-drama film directed by Richard Benjamin and starring Cher, Bob Hoskins, Winona Ryder (who was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for best supporting actress for her role), and Christina Ricci in her first film role. It is based on the 1986 novel of the same title written by Patty Dann. It was shot in and around the town of Ipswich, Massachusetts and Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
The film is narrated by Charlotte Flax, a quirky and awkward 15-year old girl living in Oklahoma with her single, eccentric mother, Rachel (whom she calls "Mrs. Flax"), and her sweet nine-year-old sister, Kate. Rachel's daughters have different fathers—Charlotte is a product of a teenage romance and Kate is from an affair with an athlete.
The narration begins in early fall of 1963. Just as Rachel's latest fling with her married employer ends, she decides to relocate with Charlotte and Kate once again. This time, they move to a new home near a convent in the small town of Eastport in Massachusetts. Charlotte has an unusual obsession with Catholicism and is always reminded by Rachel that they are Jewish. She idolizes the nuns living in the convent, wanting to become one herself. Kate, on the other hand, loves oceans and swimming. She apparently learned to do so when she was a baby, giving her Olympic potential and allowing her to win many competitions.
In Eastport, Charlotte becomes especially interested in Joe Poretti, the 26-year-old handsome caretaker of the convent and local school bus driver, while Rachel falls in love with a local shop owner named Lou Landsky. After the assassination of John F. Kennedy, Charlotte believes she is comforting Joe in mourning, and they end up kissing in the bell tower where he rings the church bell. After the encounter, she begins fasting in order to purge her sinful thoughts, but eventually passes out from hunger and starts eating again.
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