Mermaids

Charlotte Flax, a smart but moody fifteen year old, is tired of her mother's impulse to uproot the family whenever she feels like it. The Flax clan lands in a small Massachusetts town where Rachel Flax begins dating a shopkeeper named Lou Landsky, sparking hope for stability. Charlotte and her younger sister Kate dream of staying put for real this time, building friendships and a normal routine. But Charlotte finds herself drawn to an older man, complicating the delicate balance at home and forcing everyone to question what family means. As missteps and honest talk pile up, they learn to accept each other's flaws and define their own paths forward. They discover quiet acts of kindness along the way, together.

Directed by Richard Benjamin, Mermaids is adapted from Patty Dann and June Roberts' novel. The 1990 film pairs Cher and Winona Ryder with Christina Ricci, balancing humor with heartfelt family drama in a late 20th century setting with witty chemistry.

Box office grossed about 35.4 million worldwide on a 31 million budget, reflecting modest but steady performance for a character driven comedy drama released in theaters across the US and it found appeal with both adult viewers and teens alike.

Critics often noted the film's warmth and strong performances, especially from Ryder and Ricci, as it explores family bonds and the messiness of growing up. The story weighs loyalty against self expression and shows how a quirky household learns to adapt without losing its spark, and its characters stay human.

Although not a groundbreaking cultural milestone Mermaids helped cement Cher's return to film as a warm mother and contributed to Winona Ryder's rise as a young film star. The blend of humor and sentiment reflects late 80s and early 90s family comedies and remains a memorable snapshot of its era.