Thursday 25 February 2010

Beaches



I have to admit that when I went to the cinema to watch Beaches I didn't get it. It was 1988 and this film was A BIG HIT. For the life of me, I couldn't see why. Much as I loved Ms Midler's warbling, I couldn't bear her character, CC Bloom, or the story or the general soppiness of the film. And I found Barbara Hershey's character, Hilary a bit feeble and her child really annoying. I just thought both her and her mum were just spoiled.

In 1988, The Last Temptation of Christ was the film for me.

Radical.

Somehow over the years I have managed to avoid the endless repeats on the telly. I could not however be immune to how the reputation of this film has grown to be the grandmummy of all chickflicks adding to my irritation at what I saw as an overblown, oversentimental load of old tosh. Apparently this film (along with Dirty Dancing) were the de rigueur choice of girly nights in.

Decades later and here is that same film on the telly. This is the first time I've ever sat down and actually watched all 2 hours and 15 minutes of it again. And guess what? I'm still drying my eyes and blowing my nose.

I guess my bottom lip started to tremble when Hilary and CC are sharing a grotty flat together staying up late at night singing christmas carol songs. And suddenly I am in love with John Pierce but don't like how he is somehow ruining this women's friendship by being so yummy and fanciable!

Yes, I blubbed like a big girl's blouse the moment Hilary Whitney Essex realises that her illness is terminal. She is in the library surrounded by library books having done her research using print sources and not computers and she is staring into space in shock. I continued to blub when CC Bloom is reading all the letters she has sent to Hilary after Hilary's funeral. The letters are in a thick bundle lovingly preserved and tied with a red ribbon.

As for Hilary's orphaned child? Her reputation is salvaged because she only asks to take her beloved cat with her to live with CC.

Oh the joy of aging.

Hindsight really is a good thing to have!

26 comments:

Theresa Milstein said...

Poor you. I'm sending you a virtual tissue.

I haven't seen either movie.

When it comes to sad movies, I get more emotional the older I get. Now, if I see a movie that I've seen before and I know the ending is sad, I'll get teary about little things even earlier. If I'm watching with anyone else, I try to casually wipe a tear so I don't look like a total mess.

I'm even like that with books. When I read Charlotte's Web to my daughter, when Charlotte dies, I could hardly get through the dialogue because I was choking up. I know, pathetic.

Anonymous said...

oh I howled when I first saw that movie. But then I ball over every little thing. I haven't seen it for years, I'm suprised it hasn't been repeated here endlessly. Oh guess what! There's a new kitten been dumped here :o( I haven't been successful in trapping it yet! Very cute wee tabby :o)

Karen Jones Gowen said...

Oh my goodness, I loved your recap of Beaches. LOL!! I vaguely remember the movie as being quite corny and sappy, maybe I should give it another try?

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Old Kitty I feel so bad I haven't visited in a few days and you've left me so many lovely comments! I have been mesmerized by the Olympics and it has distracted me from my computer.

There are many movies I saw as a young one and then felt differently about when older. I guess age does help expand our horizons in many ways.

I prefer Dirty Dancing to Beaches to this day :-)

I never saw The Last Temptation of Christ. I will have to see if I can find that on Net Flicks

Kea said...

I barely remember that movie, actually. Did see it in the theatre, but really, I feel like I've lived about four lifetimes since then.

I try to avoid sad movies now; I cry over television commercials, for heaven's sake. :-/

Susan Fields said...

I haven't seen Beaches in ages, either. I hate movies that make me cry, though. I still remember being all blubbery through Terms of Endearment, and I never want to see that again. I'd much rather laugh or feel scared than cry.

Brigid O'Connor said...

Hi, love your blog, found you via Anns Inkpots n Quuills,
definitely blub more the older we get,
you can find me at 'Sort of Witty' with link to my 'Sort of Literature' site if you feel up to a visit,
Will be back to visit you,
Brigid

Noir the Texas Tabby said...

Really, Old Kitty? Tommy says she saw "Beaches" with two chums back in 1988. She was bored, while the other 2 flooded the theatre with tears. I, on the other hand had yet to be born, so this was when dinosaurs roamed the Earth--Anyhoo, Tommy also liked Bette Midler but didn't like here in this-and Barbara Hershey, to Tommy, was the weakest link. So, alas, Tommy has not tuned in since that 1988 day. With your review--maybe. But, see, Tommy didn't like Dirty Dancing-even tho Patrick was hot, she wondered where the acting went--so she's tried to watch it, and quits because she fears her sugar level. Tommy gives you kudos for getting thru "Beaches"---I'm thinkin' for right now, she'll just walk on the pavement to the mall.

Noir

Thanks for your words on my Uncle MaxMaxx on my blog...Tommy says you GOTTA be a writer, with such your flurry of words! :)

Ann said...

Saw all three films mentioned. Enjoyed all of them. Still not one of them made it into my Video/DVD film collection.

I am desperate for crying as I watch films and like Theresa I even cry while reading. I must always have a tissue at hand. Just a regular cry babby. :{

SuziQCat said...

Maybe I'll have to rewatch that movie as well, because I didn't 'get it' either when it came out.

umi_e said...

I don't know about that movie - i'll find out about it ;)

* i am now mad of Korean movies although i don't know the language hehehhe :D

Jenny said...

I saw you on Pat's blog and loved your comment. Your blog looks intriquing, too!

Theresa Milstein said...

I should clarify that when I said I hadn't seen two movies, I wasn't talking about "Dirty Dancing" - I meant "Beaches" and "Last Temptation of Christ". Everyone has seen "Dirty Dancing".

By the way, I saw your comment about "Galaxy Quest" on Karen G's post. I just watched that movie again about two weeks ago. It's one of my favorites.

Old Kitty said...

Hi Theresa Milstein

That's not pathetic, that's lovely!!!

I've given up pretending I'm not crying when I watch a film that makes me cry. I just let rip without shame! LOL!

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Niki!!!!

I want the kitten!!

Awwww how lovely! Oh I hope you catch him or her and will you be his or her forever home??

Oh do let me know won't you - that's just so sweet! Good luck!

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi KarenG

Oh bring lots of tissues! It really was weird how I never rated it much but then last night I was blubbing like no-ones business!

:-)

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi Pat@Mille Fiori Favoriti!!

Aww don't feel bad! That's the great thing about blogging - it's a lovely place where you can feel happy doing whatever!

Oh but I do love your blog!! You've really brought New York to such glorious pictorial vividness for me. I look forward to reading and learning so much!

Dirty Dancing was another one I didn't quite rate when it first came out but now - I think it;s lovely! "No one puts Baby in the corner"!

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Kim!!!

Do you really?? Awww! Have a Big hug!!!! Awwww!

My fave advert is the diet coke ads - you know the one where all these office girlies have a tea break together to ogle some builder guy drinking diet coke..

that makes me cry for all the wrong reasons!

:-)

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi Susan Fields

Oh Terms of Endearment - now we're talking blubfest!

LOL!

I see what you mean though - it's like self-imposed emotional trauma! Give me a funny film any time too!

:-)

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi Brigid

Thanks for popping in and saying hello!

I'd love to visit your blog - thank you.

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Noir you handsome mancat!

You missed some great things back in the days when dinosaurs roamed the earth! The stories your mummy Tommy could tell you - the wonders you would have seen - the amazing sights and sounds..like er... Backstreet boys and erm... Menudo..Tiffany...

I can tell that you're all envious now. LOL!

And your Uncle MaxMaxx deserves a flurry of words and then some being so cute and much misunderstood!

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi Ann

Awwww! We should create a shoe-fetishists cry baby pass the tissue club I think!

:-)

take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi SuziQcat

Oh I'm so glad I wasn't the only one who didn't get Beaches the first time round!

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi umi_e

Ooooh Oddboy scared the hair out of me, really and truly!

LOL!!

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi Jenny

Thanks for popping by! Oh I blog about anything and everything, me!

It's such fun!

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi Theresa Milstein!

Oh Galaxy Quest is up there amongst my top 3 films of all time!

It's just the best isn;t it?

take care
x