Now and Then

Four longtime friends, Teeny, Chrissy, Samantha and Roberta, find themselves fusing nostalgia and truth as they revisit the summer that defined them. Set in 1970, the girls chase first crushes, trade secrets, and confront the rough edges of growing up with humor and courage. As adults they share a reunion that becomes a candid look at the trials and treasures of girlhood: bullies who sting, boys who misread, and friendships that bend under the weight of honesty. The film treats puberty as a mosaic of small triumphs and quiet heartbreak, grounded in warm humor and real emotion, without sugar coating the experience. Through mischief and quiet courage they listen, forgive, and turn an imperfect summer into a trusted memory.

Directed by Lesli Linka Glatter, the film unfolds from a script credited to I. Marlene King, bringing together a cast who anchors the memory laden story. It debuted in 1995 as a friendship centric coming of age drama. The project also marks an early feature for Glatter, who later became known for her acclaimed television direction.

Box office reports a worldwide gross of about 27.4 million against a 12 million budget, reflecting solid, if modest, audience appeal for a character driven period piece. The numbers suggest steady performance in the mid budget range.

As a late 90s entry in a string of ensemble female friendship films, it resonates with fans who remember the era through its candid humor and honest look at growing up. The story also stands as a snapshot of midwestern adolescence and early 70s nostalgia.

Critics welcomed its warm ensemble performances and the gentle tone that threads humor with the ache of growing up. Themes of friendship and loyalty, plus the messy charm of puberty, anchor the story, inviting viewers to reflect on how early ties shape later choices.