Mermaids Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A single mom who makes questionable life choices drags her two daughters to Massachusetts, where teenage angst, religious crises, and a shoe salesman ensue.

🍿 Mermaids: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Flax Family on the Move

Rachel Flax, an unconventional and free-spirited single mother, frequently relocates with her two daughters, Charlotte and Kate. This time, they land in a small Massachusetts town in 1963. Charlotte, a teenager grappling with her identity, develops a fascination with Catholicism and desires to become a nun, much to her mother’s bewilderment.

Charlotte’s Conflicted Feelings

Charlotte’s religious aspirations are tested when she becomes infatuated with Joe, a 26-year-old handyman who works at the local church. This budding romance clashes with her desire for religious purity and creates inner turmoil. Meanwhile, Rachel attracts the attention of Lou Landsky, a kind and stable shoe salesman.

JFK Assassination and Shifting Dynamics

The assassination of President Kennedy deeply affects the town and the Flax family, forcing them to confront their vulnerabilities. Charlotte acts out, leading to a tense confrontation with Rachel, and Kate falls into a freezing river and almost drowns, after drinking too much wine. The incident forces Rachel to re-evaluate her priorities and consider settling down for the sake of her daughters.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Mrs. Flax (Cher): A free-spirited and unconventional single mother who frequently moves her family after failed relationships, struggling with commitment and societal expectations.
• Charlotte Flax (Winona Ryder): The eldest daughter of Mrs. Flax, grappling with adolescence, religious fascination, and her burgeoning sexuality in a chaotic family environment.
• Kate Flax (Christina Ricci): The younger daughter, a talented swimmer who is often overshadowed by her mother and sister’s dramatic lives.
• Lou Landsky (Bob Hoskins): A kind and stable shoe store owner who falls for Mrs. Flax and provides a grounding presence in the family’s turbulent lives.
• Joe (Michael Schoeffling): A church employee and handyman who becomes the object of Charlotte’s affection, complicating her already confused feelings.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Rachel Flax: “Life is change.” – Rachel’s mantra when she decides to move her family to a new town after another relationship fails.
• Charlotte Flax: “I just want to be good.” – Charlotte’s heartfelt expression of her desire to live a moral life, contrasting with her mother’s lifestyle.
• Rachel Flax: “Real women never get too old.” – Mrs. Flax shares her life philosophy with her daughters when asked her age.
• Charlotte Flax: “Mother, you don’t understand. I’m going to be a nun.” – Charlotte declares her intention to join a convent, much to her mother’s disbelief and amusement.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $20,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $35,419,397
• Worldwide Gross: $35,419,397

💥 Mermaids Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely adore ‘Mermaids’! It’s like stepping back in time to the ’60s with a quirky, lovable family. Winona Ryder’s portrayal of Charlotte is so relatable, and Cher just steals every scene she’s in. The soundtrack is amazing too, it just makes you want to sing along. This movie always puts a smile on my face and reminds me of the importance of family, even when they’re a little bit crazy. I especially loved the scene where they’re all dancing in the kitchen; it felt so real and heartwarming!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of coming-of-age stories”
  • “Viewers who enjoy movies set in the 1960s”
  • “Fans of Cher, Winona Ryder, and Christina Ricci”
  • “Those looking for a lighthearted but emotional family drama”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Brief mature themes related to teenage sexuality”
  • “References to the JFK assassination”
  • “Mild language”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Mermaids is a charming, if lightweight, coming-of-age story anchored by strong performances, particularly from Cher and Winona Ryder. It captures the spirit of the early ’60s with its soundtrack and costumes, though the plot occasionally meanders.
• RogerEbert.com: “Richard Benjamin creates a wonderful and moving picture, not unlike an Altman film in its naturalism. Cher and Winona Ryder are brilliant, and Bob Hoskins is stellar. A fine coming-of-age story to add to a collection.
• The New York Times: “The film teeters between quirky comedy and heartfelt drama but doesn’t fully commit to either. While the performances are engaging, the story feels somewhat predictable and lacks a strong emotional core. Still, it has moments of genuine charm.

Audience Reactions

Winona Ryder and Cher had great chemistry and made the movie feel authentic and heart-warming.: Viewers loved the nostalgic feel, the music, and the exploration of mother-daughter relationships.

Christina Ricci was amazing, even at such a young age!: Ricci’s performance as the younger sister was adorable and memorable.

Overall Consensus: A charming and quirky coming-of-age story with strong performances, particularly from Cher and Winona Ryder, though some find the plot predictable.

Awards

1. National Board of Review (Best Supporting Actress)- 1990

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Several directors were attached to the project before Richard Benjamin took over. Lasse Hallström and Frank Oz were both considered, but Cher reportedly had creative differences with them.”
• “Emily Lloyd was originally cast as Charlotte Flax, but was replaced by Winona Ryder because the producers wanted an actress who resembled Cher more closely.”
• “The film is based on the novel of the same name by Patty Dann, who has said she enjoyed the adaptation and that it was a ‘wild experience’ to see her book turned into a movie starring Cher.”

🖥️ How to Watch Mermaids?

Mermaids is available for streaming on various platforms. You can find it for purchase or rental on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options as well. Availability may vary depending on your region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Mermaids, you might like these similar films:

• Stepmom (1998): Explores complex family dynamics, particularly the relationship between a mother figure and her children amidst personal challenges.
• Now and Then (1995): Features a coming-of-age story set in the 1960s, focusing on female friendships and personal growth.
• Little Women (2019): Deals with themes of family bonds, female ambition, and personal identity in a historical setting.
• The Kids Are All Right (2010): A modern equivalent that deals with unconventional family structures and complex parent-child relationships.

🛒 Mermaids Related Products

• Mermaids (Blu-ray): Own a piece of cinematic history! This Blu-ray edition features stunning visual quality and a memorable story perfect for family movie night.
• Mermaids: A Novel: Delve deeper into the world of the Flax family with the original novel by Patty Dann. Discover additional insights and details not found in the film.
• Cher – The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s in His Kiss) [Vinyl Single]: Relive the iconic soundtrack with this limited-edition vinyl single featuring Cher’s unforgettable rendition of ‘The Shoop Shoop Song’.
• Mermaids Movie Poster: Decorate your walls with this high-quality reproduction of the original ‘Mermaids’ movie poster. A perfect conversation starter for any movie buff.

🎧 Soundtrack

Mermaids features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s in His Kiss)” – performed by Cher
• “Dominique” – performed by Soeur Sourire
• “I Only Want to Be with You” – performed by Dusty Springfield

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Cher – The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s in His Kiss) (Mermaids Soundtrack) (Official Music Video)

Remember that awesome song from Mermaids? Yeah, ‘The Shoop Shoop Song’! Check out Cher’s music video – it’s super catchy and instantly takes you back to the movie. Honestly, I still find myself humming it all the time!

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