User reviews

"Beaches" is a movie about two people who have family, acquaintances, spouses, careers, etc. but they only had each other when they really needed a friend. That's what makes the ending so hard to take. I think we all can relate to that one or two special people (if you're lucky) in our lives who never actually "go away" even if they don't physically live close to you anymore. Months or even years can go by, but you always pick up where you left off, with ease, when you see or speak to them. You may annoy each other at times, but you will always love each other. They're always with you because you've shared so much. Some of us may never find our romantic long-lasting "soul mate", but this movie makes the excellent point of showing that if you find a true friend in life you are truly blessed.

Garry Marshall's "Beaches" is another examination of friendship and how it can be affected over time. This theme was expertly handled by Arthur Penn in his 1981 masterpiece "Four Friends". "Beaches" is just as powerful, but it's predictable ending prevents it from truly reaching greatness and all sorts of odds and ends stick out.

But maybe it's meant to be that way. It is based on a novel, unread by me, and for all I know it could be truly faithful to the source material. But I can only judge from the film itself. And for one, I am tired of the syrupy ending that was popularized by 1970's excellent "Love Story".

But despite that, Marshall has directed a very good movie here. He may be coasting lately, but "Beaches" proves he's a natural at the type of genre I like best: the serious comedy. We laugh so we may not cry. That may sound corny, but it's true and many of my favorite films are that kind of film: "10" (Blake Edwards, 1979), "The Man Who Loved Women" (Edwards, 1983), "Skin Deep" (Edwards, 1989), "The Apartment" (Billy Wilder, 1960), "The Fortune Cookie" (Wilder, 1966), "Harry and Tonto" (Paul Mazursky, 1974) and "An Unmarried Woman" (Mazursky, 1978) to name a few.

The performances are first rate, especially Bette Midler, whom I'm only used to in comedies. With this film and "Stella". she proves what a truly great actress she really is. She deserved an Oscar nod for this performance. Barbara Hershey is fine as always in the kind of role she can play in her sleep.

One thing that really irritates me is the term "chick flick", which implies that it's only a "women's movie" and men are not only discouraged to see one, but not allowed to even enjoy it. And people I know say that if a man enjoys a so-called "chick flick", he must be gay.

Well, I am definitely heterosexual and am affirmed enough in my manhood to see and enjoy these films. Isn't it about time we just stop the bull and admit that we like these films too? Action is O.K., gore is fine for those who like that kind of thing, but I'd take an intelligent and moving comedy/drama anyday over T&A. And if other guys can't accept that, they're missing out on some good films.

***1/2 out of 4 stars

This film was so hard for me to watch as my wife died from cardiomyopathy aged just 28 in 1991, we had/have 2 daughters who were 14mths and 3 yrs old when my wife died. The saddest part was that in late 1990 after my wife had been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy she watched on TV the film Beaches, (unknown to me), on her own in our bedroom and I was outside gardening at that time. I came in to see her later and I could tell she had been crying, when I asked why she had been crying she burst into tears saying she would never see our 2 girls grow up, i said "don't be silly" and gave her a big cuddle. At that time I thought that neither of us knew what her prognosis would be but she did because of the Beaches film but didn't tell me. A few days later she said that she had watched a film called Beaches and just said it was quite sad but gave me no details of the film. After my wife died I was devastated and life was very tough for many years, I'm now 63 and our daughters are 30 and 32, both now older than their mum was when she died and its so sad that they never knew her. They are both very happy today. I met someone in 2006 and we have been living together happily since. Just by chance in about 2014 my partner was going through Netflix and the film Beaches came up, because neither of us had seen it i said lets watch it as my late wife had seen this film and had said that it was sad. I quickly realised why she had said back in 1990 why she wouldn't see our girls grow up and I did cry watching it and thought of my late wife at 27 yrs old knowing that there was no cure and she knew that she wouldn't see her girls grow up 😢😢 I know this isnt much of a review but it brought back so many sad memories and how brave my wife was for not telling me 😢. Please watch the film its worth watching

Beaches is a wonderful movie, about two young girls, CC and Hillary who meet each-other whilst they're both on holiday at the same resort. Both of them are quite different from each other, CC being a New York performer and Hillary being a rich kid from San Francisco. The friendship they make though is one that will live on forever and in the movie we seem from the young girls they were when they met each-other to the successful women they are now. Even though they are both now apart from each-other, they keep in touch through letters, until Hillary who's now lawyer moves to New York to stay CC, who's a singer. Once they meet up again, the movie them shows you everything from there romances to the jobs, they're doing now.

The cast in the movie, including Bette Midler, Barbara Hershey and Mayim Bialik, who plays the younger version of Bette Midlers character all give wonderful performances here as usual.

Beaches is simply a classic amazing movie. I love it for many reasons, one being I'm a fan of Bette Midler and Mayim Bialik, who are both absolutely brilliant, the music in the movie is amazing and I absolutely love, "Wind Beneath My Wings". I recommend the soundtrack too and of course main reason for liking this movie is, it's just really nice, sweet and of course beautiful. You have to love it!

Was not very certain if I really wanted to view this film, some times Midler can be way out in left field. However, in this film Bette Midler, (CC Bloom),"That Old Feeling",'97 plays a very self-centered person who will stop at nothing to get what she wants and if it is a career on the stage, just forget about love or a husband and children. Barbara Hershey,(Hillary),"Riding the Bullet",'04, is a childhood friend of CC Bloom and in some ways they help each other, even though they are complete opposites. There is plenty of comedy, lots of fighting, and more drama than you can handle. Midler sings outstanding songs we all know by heart and it is a very entertaining film, but very very SAD!

There are good movies and there are those you'll never forget that you can see many many times. Beaches definitely goes into the latter category Actually I didn't get to see it until a few years ago, maybe because I'm a guy and this kind of movies aren't what guys usually rent but as one grows up, so does the appreciations for sensitive movies like Beaches.

The book is even better and I wish they had made the movie even longer with more stories from the novel.

I recommend Beaches to both women and men, if you think you couldn't cry from a movie - watch this and see if you're wrong - I was...

"Beaches" is definitely one of those movies you watch when you're in the mood to just have a good cry, and nothing else. Critics have hammered this movie because of its predictablility and overtly melodramatic flow, but in a strange way it is what I like about this movie. For some reason, this movie sits well with me, and I am usually a very thorough critic of films. Perhaps it is because I happened to catch the movie when I was just hanging out at home with nothing to do.

Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey were pretty good as chums, and I actually began to care about the characters. Impressive cast also helps to make "Beaches" a pleasant watch, and although the script isn't neccessarily impeccable, it is still worth seeing. Also the soundtrack to the movie is worth the effort.

My overall rating is a 6.8 out of 10.

Among the movies that get to us emotionally, "Beaches" is on the top of my list. Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey convey the story and portray their roles to perfection. Midler also shines with her musical talent much of the time, especially with the theme song "Wind Beneath My Wings." All things considered, the movie is great.

Midler is Ceceila Carol "C.C." Bloom, a New York aspiring entertainer with attitude and a drive to be successful in show business no matter what it takes (which she does). Hershey is Hillary Whitney, a rich kid from San Francisco with little experience beyond her posh and privileged upbringing. She and C.C. meet by chance on a beach in Atlantic City when they are 11 years old. They instantly become friends, and keep in touch with each other over 25 to 30 years through thick and thin (i.e. distance, career challenges, marriage and divorce, fights, jealousy, competition for the same man, etc). Fate and choice bring them together when they need each other most. Ultimately, their bond will be tested in a way they never imagined. How they deal with this challenge is what will determine their destiny as friends.

Midler and Hershey round out the film with believable character development. They have their moments (C.C. can get on your nerves with her ego, and Hillary has her ways), but they prove that friendship weathers the most difficult of circumstances. The small supporting cast is nice as well, including Lainie Kazan as Leona Bloom (C.C.'s mother), John Heard as John Pierce, C.C.'s theater director husband, James Reed as Michael Essex, Hillary's husband, Spalding Gray as Dr. Richard Milstein who Midler takes interest in while living with Hillary in San Francisco, Mayim Bialik and Marcie Leeds as young C.C. and Hillary, and Grace Johnston as Victoria, Hillary's daughter in the latter half of the film. The "Wind Beneath My Wings" montage toward the end will make more than a few emotional. I highly recommend "Beaches" because it will make you truly appreciate and strive for the meaning of friendship and those most important to you!

Two young girls meet whilst on holiday in Atlantic city. Tho both of them are from vastly different backgrounds they strike up a friendship that will literally last a lifetime.

Directed by Gary Marshall, Beaches is adapted by Mary Agnes Donoghue from Iris Rainer Dart's novel, and stars Bette Midler & Barbara Hershey as the two female protagonists taking on the trials and tribulations of life and friendship. Unashamedly a hankie dampener first and foremost, Beaches is ever watchable in spite of its over sentimental structure and reliance on clichés at every turn. Tho it at times feels like an excuse for Midler to flex her lungs, her character thankfully calls for her to show some range. Which she duly delivers thru a number of emotional crises' and a battle against her own innate selfishness. Hershey is perfect foil, a touch classy, fashionable and truly heartfelt as the finale draws in like some dark party pooper. The guys in the girls loves come an go, and by and large they are stereotypically drawn. Each one serving only to bring the girls closer together. While the ending itself, backed up by the wonderful Midler rendition of "Wind Beneath My Wings," is nicely handled and has an air of dignity about it.

It's another film in the long line of film's made to tug the heartstrings. Specifically in this case, those belonging to the ladies. So with that, as a guy myself, I felt a touch alienated by the movies approach work. But be that as it may, there's no denying the impact the piece can have if one is prepared to commit emotionally to it. At times funny, and even breezy for a large portion of its running time, Beaches lives or dies by its final quarter. With that, it's a winner that ultimately has achieved all it set out to do. 6.5/10

Where do we start? With the overacting, the scenery-chewing? Okay, let's talk about the maudlin script first. In attempting to make us sad, we are fed forced scenes designed to make us care about these unlikable characters. One is brash, annoying, rude, selfish and mean. The other is hypocritical, deceitful, boring, and not as pretty as some think. At the end I didn't care for either of these women. Their regrets were too little, too late, and not believable. The music? Saccharine sweet-- ugh. I LOVE Bette Midler, but in a movie where she must play sympathetic and dramatic at some point, she comes across as if she's in a comedy. Is it fair to mention Barbara Hershey's lips? Uh, yes, she made a choice (a bad one) and has to live with it. Poor her. My guess is my girlfriend loves this film. I'll ask her. But if this film were a bit more over-the-top, it would rank up there with 'Mommie Dearest' and 'Showgirls' for unintentional comedy. I could go on, but it would be all bad...

It has got to be said that there are not many movies these days that will make you laugh and cry the way Beaches does...... from the hilarious 'Otto Titsling' song (which had me in creases!) to the powerful and emotional ending to the film, in which 'Wind Beneath My Wings' is immortalised.

This is a film that has touched everyone I know that has seen it, and is a timeless classic that really illustrates the true meaning of friendship.

A true 'Chick Flick'...... definitely well worth watching if you haven't seen it...... And If you don't cry, you certainly are not human!

Beaches is one of those easily placed movies into the category of chic flick. It's a great date movie because no girl can resist tears throughout. WOMEN LOVE THIS MOVIE. And because they love it so much it's not wise to bash it in front of them. I'll probably receive tons of angry e-mails for my description of this movie. As noted before Women LOVE THIS MOVIE. If youre a guy it the torturous equal of Ned Beatty's southern surprise in Deliverence. It's so bad you'd rather have your older brother beat you with a hot wheels race track. Preparing to watch it is like driving to the proctologists's office. The whole movie is about two women and their life long friendship (That's original) Bette Midler couldn't be more annoying. There is a way to survive this though. Take four valium, chug one huge bottle of NyQuil original green death flavor, close your eyes and imagine watching The Dirty Dozen. Hopefully you'll sleep long enough to miss Beaches, Steel Magnolias, and the worst of the worst The Joy Luck Club.

I was in another country once where the only American films they showed in the cinema were either the ultra-violent (Jean-Claude Van Damme / Steven Segal movies) or the ultra-steamy (e.g. "Basic Instinct", "Pretty Woman"). Many parents would refuse to let their children watch these, allowing them only to watch Indian movies. I tried frantically to convince some of the locals that there were many other kinds of American films that they would love. They didn't believe me. So, I rented a video - "Beaches". After watching it, the people around me were shocked and said, "I like American movies now!"

Two unlikely friends meet by chance in childhood and keep up their friendship over the years through ups and downs, crises and victories, and reversing economic positions more than once. They inspire each other and fight over the same men. Hershey plays a girl raised in a rich conservative family while Midler plays an eccentric and poor show-biz wannabe. Midler becomes rich and famous and Hershey rejects her pompous upbringing becoming a poor lawyer working for the A.C.L.U.. But Midler cannot handle the new fame and fortune and Hershey cannot deal with her new lifestyle devoid of pampering. This rare tale of female friendship is a brilliantly-acted tearjerker. (10 out of 10)

a very moving movie, about a friendship with barbara hershey and bette midler.. very sad from brooklyn,, and bette midler is great, and john hurt is also fantastic. see it one time for it is a very sad and heart wrenching movie. taxes the soul with strong emotion, especially for the feeling of lost ones and lost friends.

This has to be alongside ET one of the saddest movies of the 80s, even though it's half romantic comedy half tear jerker. Highly recommended if you're a fan of Garry Marshall and Bette Midler.

I love Bette Midler. I just do. But I feel some of her films haven't been up to the calibre she is capable of. Beaches is NOT one of these films.

A beautifully sappy film about two friends from opposite sides of the tracks - as children, they befriend each other on the beaches of Atlantic City where a young Cee-Cee (Midler) is a hopeful child-star-wannabe. We see their lives as they grow up and apart from each other, only to see that the true friendship has never gone from their lives, no matter how burdensome their relationship has become.

Barbara Hershey is wonderful as the friend from the right side of the tracks, and Mayim Bialik is eerily yet perfectly cast as a young Midler. Lainie Kazan is fantastic (as always) as Midler's stage-mother Leona.

Get your tissues out, but also get ready to laugh through this beautifully written, comical and tragic story about true friendships.

I had to give this one star, because there are no minus scores on IMDb, but it is worthy of a minus 5. This movie is such a painful thing to watch even though Oprah herself lauded director Garry Marshall for this thick, syrupy drek of a soaper. I love to look at Barbara Hershey and listen to Bette Midler in top form, particularly when she sings, but this picture is embarrassingly bad. I wanted to see a male version of this with the Spalding Gray doctor character just to have a movie titled "Sons of Beaches," but the only things in this waste of celluloid are the performance of Mayim Bialik as a young Bette Midler and the song "Wind Beneath my Wings." So save yourself some pain and get the song, and if you absolutely must rent this movie on some video format, fast forward only to the Bialik scene and see a better Garry Marshall film (which means pretty much all the others he did) like the underrated "Flamingo Kid." I rented this thing once because Oprah went on and on about it gushing like a teenage girl, and had to stop the video several times because it was just too damned painful to see without constant bathroom breaks.

A far better "Chick Flick" is "Fried Green Tomatoes." At least the writing didn't embarrass the talent within it.

And I want my two bucks back for the waste of rental.

...and that's a wrap!

I love this movie so much!!!! If I could give it more than 10 stars I would!! It is such a beautiful story between the highs and lows of friendship and should be seen by everyone 💜💜💜

Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey star as long time friends who sacrifice their personal lives for their careers, but remain loyal to each other through the years.

Midler shows off her singing and dancing talents as CC Bloom, and it is a role that's perfect for her. Hershey plays the elegantly beautiful and Waspy Hillary Whitney to the hilt. The chemistry between them is terrific, but at time the story lags and becomes predictable. John Heard and James Read as CC and Hillary's husbands turn in good performances as well, but they take a back seat to the women.

The film is entertaining, and the friendship as it unwinds is both interesting and engaging to watch. But overall, the movie is so-so.

What a joke of a movie. The writing was especially bad...the acting wasn't much better. I like tearjerkers, but this one had me laughing due to the inane dialogue. What a joke!