Review of Beaches (1988) by Christian L — 15 Jan 2012

Few actors divide audiences in quite the same way as Bette Midler. A ballsy, spirited song-and-dance gal to some, others would rather visit the local morgue than sit through one of her pictures. Such is her potency that, depending on your feelings towards her, she either made or ruined Get Shorty by showing up in the third reel wearing a black basque and trying to seduce Gene Hackman. Since Beaches sees Midler not only starring but also wearing her producer's hat, it's unlikely to win over those with a dislike of the leading lady. But to her credit, Midler used her clout to hire Garry Marshall as director, a man who, as the creator of 'Laverne And Shirley', proved that women's drama didn't entirely have to centre around relationships and moping about. It sounds like the worst kind of slush, and Beaches does have some excruciatingly schmaltzy moments. It also features Midler's emetic rendition of 'Wind Beneath My Wings'.

VERDICT: "High-Quality Stuff" - [Positive Reaction] This is a rating to a movie I view as very entertaining and well made, and definitely worth paying the full price at a theatre to see or own on DVD. It is not perfect, but it is definitely excellent. (Films that are rated 3.5 or 4 stars).