I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

To me, this movie is perfection.

hyped garbage

Bad Acting and worse Bad Screenplay

I'm conquering another Cher's film, perhaps her lesser-known one, MERMAIDS sets up in the 1960s with an unorthodox pair of a middle-age single mother and her adolescent daughter, both try to manage their lives in their own ways (dealing with the conundrum with men is a befuddling task for both), also attenuates the accruing conflicts between them. The film is directed by actor-turn-director hack Richard Benjamin and the overall reception is a sloppy sentimental piece of essay on woman's independence and religious ambivalence. The story goes smoothly with an occasionally witty, but otherwise run-of-the-mill narrative (the highlight for me is the "ocean in the room time" which effectually casts a genuine uplift upon me), Cher seems to steer onto a more restrained way of acting to manifest her "modern new woman" pioneer archetype, unwed mother with 2 children, casually flirting with men, sleeping with men and taking on a not-so-serious relationship with Bob Hoskins (a deliberate set with a jarring comparison). But this time, the film's saving grace is not from their adult cast (considering a considerately miscast Michael Schoeffling as the handsome but rather stiff love interest of Ryder), but two young starlets, Ryder and Ricci. Ryder has her own "terms of endearment" moments near the finale, a mutual emotional burst with Cher, and most of the time she is the leading role or at least the co-leads (ironically Golden Globe thought hers is a supporting role, a typical discrimination still prevailing now towards the young talents). Her incessant voice-over of a young girl's world inward is the driving force to propel the film and its audience into the (now) somewhat dated world-of-view in those days. Ricci is simply endearing as the "young mermaid/swimmer" sister, there is a soppy point one dreads her safety during the drowning accident, and labelled as a comedy-drama, the film dares not to risk dragging itself into a self-reprimand moral abyss which could sabotage all the generic concoctions it has achieved.

Rukiya Belagam used to watch this movie everyday. In fact I have it memorized. It is not because its so well written, or because it has great acting, or even a good story line. But because its a sweet movie you can watch over and over again. It makes ya feel good. Winona Ryder is a convincing neurotic and Christina Ricci is soo cute as a kid. Heck even Cher has some good moments. I like the sound track and all the feel good. My favorite quote that I use in life even today is " You drive like old people make love" - this is what Cher says to Wynona Ryder as she is driving. Its just a cute cute movie - very much for girls and single mothers or kids of single mothers By some finger foods and enjoy the movie! Rukiya Belagam says so.

I've seen this film a number of times, and I always enjoy it. What stands out most about this film is the acting, and the overall feel of the film. It feels tremendously authentic to its time and subjects. The acting is very good throughout, and the movie is just a very fun, and very human story. One that is easy for almost anyone to relate to in some way.There are a number of great performances in this film. Winona Ryder plays one of her most interesting characters, and she pulls it off very well. Bob Hoskins is very strong and enjoyable as usual. Personally I have always loved Cher's acting. I can't say I'm a huge fan of her music, but I've always had some respect for her there too. However her acting has always been very strong in my opinion. I know she has been nominated for multiple Oscars and even won one for Moonstruck. However I still think her acting is somewhat underrated by most people. (And she also gave Nick Cage his first huge break after demanding that the studios cast Cage opposite her in Moonstruck. Cage was thought to be somewhat of a risky bet back in those days, and Cher basically made the major studios take the chance with him. Which I find somewhat funny, and also very Cher like.). Cher also had the original director of this film, and the girl who was originally cast in Winona's part fired. So Winona fans also have Cher to thank for her even being in this film. It's hard to criticize Cher for getting rid of these originals either, seeing as how well the film turned out with the people she approved. She is a very strong minded and hearted woman in my view, and if you take a look at Silkwood, Mask, Moonstruck, and this nice little film. You will undoubtedly also see that this woman can flat out act. She has some other decent films as well.Anyway, all in all, I highly recommend Mermaids to anyone that likes character driven film. And basically to any teen, male or female. It is basically a coming of age story in terms of Winona's character, and even for Cher and Hoskins characters to some degree too. :) And there is a lot to relate to in terms of the parent/child relationship, especially the single parent. Those with Attention Deficit Disorder , or those who get bored easy may not get into it however. :) I gave this film a 7, but I'm a pretty strict rater, and this film is a very solid 7 in my opinion. In fact, I'd give it a 7.5 if I could.7.5/10

What diabolical karma is needed to so effect a large group of writers, a director, producers that they create, with one large exception, a movie that stifles honesty in virtually every scene? I give this dishonest film a 2 instead of a 1 because of the brilliant performance of Winona Ryder (at 18, how was it possible for her to escape the banal direction of Richard Benjamin?). But Ms. Ryder aside, the film has some notorious performances and character creation in it; Christina Ricci, trying her best, has created a loathsomely "cute" character. When this character falls into the frigid waters of a small pond I was praying that there would be a final shot of her breathing bubbles stopping: what an insufferable little brat! Cher's entire persona and character made me think of what some critic said of a Katherina Hepburn Broadway performance: "she runs the gamut of emotions from A to B"! The Mask of Cher, possibly o.k. to see once in a career, had become institutionalized by 1990 and I found myself having to look elsewhere on the screen when she appeared (in this case not much of a hardship given Winona Ryder's nuanced portrayal). Director Benjamin also should be given another dubious award. For the first and only time in my experiencing Bob Hoskins career, he is made to look foolish and bad.In closing I must mention that I have never in the past, as far as I can remember, mentioned another reviewer's comment; we can't and don't, as people, have the same reactions to things, but in the case of someone who commented earlier on this site, who mentioned Truffault's "400 Blows" in the same breath as the atrocity "Mermaids", I must set a precedent. The "400 Blows" is one of the most honest films about a youngster I have ever seen. "Mermaids" is among the most dishonest one I have seen in many years. Compare Truffault and Benjamin favorably? My mind boggles and shudders simultaneously!