Do you want to see ‘Beaches’?

Beaches (1988)

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All Critics
Top Critics

Average Rating: 4.2/10
Reviews Counted: 24
Fresh: 7 | Rotten: 17

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 2
Fresh: 0 | Rotten: 2

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Average Rating: 3.6/5
User Ratings: 68,968

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Movie Info

Based on a novel by Iris Rainer Dart, Beaches traces the 30-year oil-and-water friendship between free-spirited Bronx Jew CC Bloom (Bette Midler) and uptight San Francisco WASP Hillary Essex (Barbara Hershey). The two meet as children in Atlantic City (played by Mayim Bialik and Marcie Leeds) and are reunited in the 1960s, when CC is a struggling singer and Hillary is trying to break free from her staid upbringing by becoming an activist. The two ladies room together, then fall out when both are

PG-13, 2 hr. 3 min.

Drama, Musical & Performing Arts, Comedy

Directed By: Garry Marshall

In Theaters: Dec 21, 1988 Wide

On DVD: Mar 29, 2005

Disney

Cast

Bette Midler
CC Bloom
Barbara Hershey
Hillary Whitney Essex
John Heard
John Pierce
Spalding Gray
Dr. Richard Milstein
Lainie Kazan
Leona Bloom
James Read
Michael Essex
Grace Johnston
Victoria Essex
Mayim Bialik
C.C. Age 11
Marcie Leeds
Hillary Age 11
Mariann Aalda
Ticket Seller
Bill Applebaum
Actor 2
Judith Baldwin
Screaming Woman
Anne Betancourt
Miss Valdez
Nicky Blair
Tavern on the Green Mai...
Frank Buxton
Doctor
Karin Calabro
Actor 4
Frank Campanella
Frank the Doorman
Lucinda Crosby
TV Interviewer
Jane Dulo
Hillary's Neighbor
Susan Forristal
Diane Frazen
Marjorie
Michael Bryan French
Head Waiter
Ken Gibbel
Cowboy Actor
Lynda Goodfriend
Mrs. Myandowski
Joe Grifasi
Otto Titsling
Harvey Keenan
Man in Bagels
Allan Kent
Mr. Melman
Phil Leeds
Sammy Pinkers
Mona Lyden
Actor 1
Steven Majewicz
Phillipe De Brassiere
Barbara Marshall
I.C.U. Nurse #2
Kathi Marshall
Delivery Room Nurse #1
Lori Marshall
Tavern on the Green Pat...
Arnold McCuller
Hollywood Bowl Backup S...
Keith Henry McDaniel
Actor 5
Charles McGowan
Peasant
Eddie Mekka
Actor 3
Ken Miller
Peasant
Julie Paris
Delivery Room Nurse #2
Tracy Reiner
Dept. Store Clerk
Steve Restivo
Pink Palm Bartender
Patrick Richwood
T. Kuhn
Bo Sabato
Hollywood Bowl Stage Ma...
Lisa Savage
Michael's Mistress
Zachary Weintraub
ACLU Worker
Carol Williard
Aunt Vesta
Robert Ball
Harry
Michael Elias
Seedy Bar Patron
Carla Earle
Hollywood Bowl Backup S...
Doris Hess
Maura
Scott Marshall
Car Rental Agent
Harvey Miller
Movie Director
Sam Denoff

Critic Reviews for Beaches

All Critics (32) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (9) | Rotten (22) | DVD (19)

The film's oily overdefinition of various class and cultural categories is strident enough to betray a condescending attitude toward the audience.

April 7, 2010 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader

| Comment

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

Make some popcorn and get out the Kleenex.

January 2, 2011 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media

| Comment

Sarah Wenk

Common Sense Media

Garry Marhsall's unbearabaly schmaltzy and stereotyical medlodrama contrasts a brassy Jewish singer with an elegant WASPy socialite that even actresses like Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey cannot elevate or rescue.

August 10, 2010 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

| Comment (1)

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

Maudlin & weepy with tender performances by Midler and Hershey.

February 20, 2007 Comment

Steve Crum

Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers

...it seems obvious that certain audiences will get a whole lot more out of it than others.

May 8, 2005 Full Review Source: Reel Film Reviews

| Comment

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

If director Garry Marshall's intent was to up the Kleenex-count rather than the body count, he succeeded.

May 3, 2005 Full Review Source: Now Playing Magazine

| Comment

Tony Whitt

Now Playing Magazine Source: Now Playing Magazine

there are few horrors as singularly terrifying as this movie

April 27, 2005 Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com

| Comment (1)

Christopher Null

Filmcritic.com

A poignant tribute to the joys and tribulations of friendship.

April 22, 2005 Full Review Source: ReelTalk Movie Reviews

| Comment

Betty Jo Tucker

ReelTalk Movie Reviews

Every bit as sappy and saccharine as you'd expect

April 20, 2005 Full Review Source: CinemaBlend.com

| Comment

Joshua Tyler

CinemaBlend.com

...a CD album of the songs might be as entertaining as the movie, and it would cost a lot less. (Special Edition DVD)

April 16, 2005 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis

| Comment

John J. Puccio

Movie Metropolis

I enjoyed the first forty-five minutes of Beaches. Beyond that, I kept looking at my watch wondering when it was ever going to end.

April 16, 2005 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis

| Comment

John J. Puccio

Movie Metropolis

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Beaches

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I found the friendship was really weird to be honest, more like a old married couple, that turned into whose cock is bigger slagging match. I did enjoy this movie, i loved the songs and i loved the cast. It was a funny sad drama of friendship that was really captivating. I'd say it is one to watch.

September 10, 2007

Film Crazy

Super Reviewer

Such awful, awful melodrama, but I love it! DID YOU EVER KNOW THAT YOU'RE MY HEEEEROOOO?

June 8, 2010

Alice Shen

Super Reviewer

Beaches Quotes

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