Cry Me A Beach (Beaches (DVD))

Member Name: bilbob20

Product:	Beaches (DVD)
Date:	22/09/08 (69 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Terrific performances and I love the soundrack

Disadvantages: Its a bit ordinary

Years after they last met, with a series of penpal letters shared, the vivacious CC Bloom is re-united with her childhood pal Hilary Whitney. Hilary is heiress to a fortune, whilst CC is an overbearing out of work actress whose own mother has had to move to another state to avoid her. An upturn in fortunes come about though, when they meet a handsome producer who falls for Hilary and is able to get CC work. However, this entails a new set of resentments.

You see, Hilary wants to be CC with all her outer ego and confidence, while CC wants to be Hilary with her class and beauty. Time and time again they lock horns until a tragedy brings them together and allows them to re-evaluate everything they've been through together.

This is a weepie of the oldest kind. Two women come together in the face of adversity and show what real girl power is. Their are laughs a plenty, as well as a few moments to get your tissues out to. I haven't cried, honest. But I'm sure a good many people have. The face of little Victoria as she asks to bring her silly old cat with her is enough to reduce even grown men.

Singer Bette Midler is ferocious as CC, and shows that she is in finest voice here. Wind Beneath My Wings plays backdrop to one of the films most poignant moments, but is only one element of a terrific soundtrack. Midler is the only singer on screen, and thankfully this prevents any of the other actors from exercising their tonsils. She gets most of the laughs as well, as the script pokes fun at her huge ego.

Barbara Hershey is more low key as the timid friend who eventually has to stand up for herself. Hershey is by no means the best actress on the planet, but she is beautiful enough that you hardly care. The fact that she is completely overshadowed by Midler is more testimony to her than it is any flaw in Hershey's performance.

The film is directed by Garry Marshall, and whilst his direction is obvious and ordinary, its no bad thing. There is no need for big frills here, as the actors are able to work the script without gimmicks. He pushes all the buttons, allowed you to laugh your head off one minute, and verge on tears the next. Arty types will scoff at this kind of material, and it is base entertainment, but they dont make em any weepier or emotional than Beaches.

Summary: My hangover film is the finest of its kind