I received
"Beaches" as a gift when it was released on
video from a friend who has been in my life
since third grade. We rode the bus together from
3rd grade through high school...I am her
daughter's Godparent...we have maintained a
strong connection and friendship even as she has
moved to the East Coast, married and gotten a
family. She has a sixth sense about me and seems
to know when I am struggling or down or sad or
frustrated. We hardly ever talk, but when we do
it's always perfect. We've never had a fight and
there is this undeniable, unspoken loyalty. She
is, perhaps, the only person that I truly do not
question will always be there when I need her.
"Beaches" is, basically, about such a friendship
and the role it plays through our lives. Bette
Midler and Barbara Hershey play these friends
beautifully...they capture the peaks and valleys
of friendship with a simplicity, an authenticity
that is more real than it is dramatic. "Beaches"
goes for authenticity over "selling the drama,"
something that is rare in films these days.
I prefer Midler in these sorts of roles...while
she has comic talents, I prefer it when her
characters have a natural comic tone rather than
a forced comic nature. This character is driven,
passionate and naturally relaxed to the point of
a gently humorous nature. Midler captures a
balance with the character and does so
beautifully.
Likewise, Hershey is the more privileged of the
two...from what I've heard, there are aspects of
Hershey's personality in this character...but,
there's also a tremendous vulnerability that
Hershey brings here...it's a refined, restrained
performance and Hershey nails it.
In supporting roles, the likes of John Heard,
Spalding Gray and Lainie Kazan do a nice job
filling out the cast along with Mayim Bialik and
Marcie Leeds, who play the Midler/Hershey
characters as younger children.
There is so much that I appreciate about this
film...it's look is beautiful, but not
showy...in fact, the film received an Oscar
nomination for art direction and I'd say it was
well deserved. The film is, perhaps, still best
known for its hit song "Wind Beneath My Wings"
from Midler...it's a powerful song that fits
nicely with the themes of friendship and loyalty
and "being there". It fits the film perfectly.
"Beaches" is not perfect...it is a touch long at
123 minutes, and there are definitely times when
I felt manipulated. Additionally, some of the
hardcore emotional scenes are simply beyond the
range of Barbara Hershey...I just didn't quite
buy into them. Yet, I can't deny that I bought
into the film...undoubtedly, this is partially
due to its emotional connection to my life. It
reminds me so much of my friend and our
friendship...it reminds me of the healing power
that very friendship has had in my life...it
reminds me that even when I may feel alone I
truly am not alone. For over 15 years, "Beaches"
has been a safe harbor during times of
loneliness...a film I can watch and become
centered again...become grateful again...and
become aware that even when I forget who I am
there is always someone there to remind me.
©
Written by Richard
Propes
TC Candler's Comment
The old line
is that "Beaches" is for Bitches. That
being said, I feel comfortable in my
overwhelmingly heterosexual and rugged
masculinity that I can safely admit to enjoying
many so-called chick-flicks. I missed this
film when it came out... but I would be willing
to give it a shot some day, as long as I would
be impressing a girlfriend with my sensitivity.
Watching "Beaches" may get me laid... rugged men
like me enjoy that. ; )
Jacob
Hall's Comment
N/A
