Mermaids (1990)

The coming-of-age comedy-drama Mermaids is a warm look at an eccentric family as well as a good example of Winona Ryder during her youthful angst years. Based on the novel by Patty Dann, the comic moments are heavily drawn from the reverse mother-daughter relationship of the zany man-chaser Mrs. Flax (Cher) and the sternly religious Charlotte (Ryder). Portraying a Jewish girl with dark, brooding Catholic obsessions, Charlotte gets some rich comedy out of her peculiar conflict and some genuine moments of adolescent distress. With her funny and delusional narration, Ryder brings her best talents to the character as both a smart grown-up and an innocent kid. Her struggle to be unlike her mother is intensified when she meets Joe (Michael Schoeffling), who is appropriately adorable as the love interest. Even at the age of nine, Christina Ricci is the perfect accent to the family trio, bringing a unique presence as the youngest daughter, Kate. As Lou, the shoe salesman boyfriend, Bob Hoskins adds the right amount of husky charm to fit in with the other strong personalities. Director Richard Benjamin brings a workmanlike approach to the material, perhaps because he was a replacement director due to the problems early on in production. However, the film doesn't miss on style, with the colorful art design and punchy '60s soundtrack adding to the quirky atmosphere. Mostly due to the excellent casting, Mermaids is a delightful movie that celebrates nontraditional families without too many layers of sentiment. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide