“Beaches,” premieres on Lifetime this Saturday, January 21 on Lifetime.
Idina Menzel and Nia Long star as lifelong best friends in the Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey remake. Allison Anders directs this version of the movie which features new takes on the classic songs “Wind Beneath My Wings” and “The Glory of Love” and introduces an original song, “Last Time.”
The movie follows two young girls of different backgrounds who meet on Venice Beach embark on unexpected and lifelong friendship. CC (Menzel) is an aspiring singer trying to make it in Los Angeles until she is discovered by a director who gives her her first big shot. Hillary (Long) is the daughter of a prominent civil rights lawyer who struggles to find her own destiny. Their friendship has their ups and downs but truly stands the best of time of the women even in their adulthood.
Both Long and Menzel were huge fans of the original movie and spoke about their love of the 1988 original movie at Lifetime’s portion of the Television Critics Press Tour last week.
“I am a huge fan,” Long said of the movie. “I think if you look at any of my earlier interviews, you will see that my top five, “Beaches” was always included. I just think it’s a film that touches women on such a deep level, touches men on such a deep level. But this is really a film about friendship, and about sisterhood, and about girl power. Growing up in South Central Los Angeles, and then moving to a big city, and living in New York, and living bicoastal, your friendships are the things that keep you grounded.”
“So a lot of the themes in the film really resonate pretty easily, and it’s just about making the scene your own, and honoring the original film. And I’m sure I didn’t answer your question, but that’s how I feel,” Long said.
“I saw the movie back in high school with two of my best friends,” Menzel added. “We cried our eyes out in the movie theater, so it has quite a nostalgic — it’s quite a nostalgic memory for me. But, I mean, if I’m being completely honest, I was terrified to do it at first, because I love the movie. I think it’s a beautiful, beautiful movie. And both those women, especially Bette Midler, for me, was an idol, my whole life. I continue to be inspired by her, so it’s a daunting task.”
The movie, directed by Allison Anders, stays true to the original with the girls first meeting on the beach, this time Venice, and becoming pen pals by exchanging letters all through school as Hillary becomes a lawyer in her father’s firm and CC becomes a working actress.
Menzel’s musical performances as CC’s grows as a performer are the movie’s highlights. Familiar songs, “Glory of Love,” and “I’ll Stand By You” are part of the movie’s charm. “Last Time,” an original song written just for the movie, is a raw emotional song that echoes the two women’s relationship after a fight. Their friendship gets even closer as Hillary becomes ill.
The signature song, “Wind Beneath My Wings,” is an homage to Bette Midler’s original version as it plays over the ending as CC and Hillary’s young daughter Tori celebrate Hillary’s life.
Have your hankies ready as you watch. It’s a tearjerker.
Watch “Beaches” this Saturday, January 21st at 8:00 p.m. on Lifetime.
