katherine_heigl_2.jpg
You Are the Wind Beneath My Wings

Fly, Heigl. Fly Away. So High Up Against the Sun / Dustin Rowles

Trade News | October 21, 2009 | Comments (46)

The first time I ever remember crying at a movie was around 1990. I was at home alone one day, and “Beaches” came on HBO. I inexplicably got sucked in, and by the end of it, my 13-year-old self was full-on sobbing my goddamn brains out. I can’t tell you exactly what it felt like, but it felt a lot like shame. I didn’t want to be weeping. I felt manipulated, although at the time, I didn’t really understand what that feeling was. But seeing little Blossom (Mayim Bialik) inconsolable sent me over the edge. I haven’t seen “Beaches,” since, but I have grown to hate it over time. Because I began to understand how cruel and manipulative that film was. It’s one thing to end a movie with a person’s death; it’s quite another to kill someone off and then force us through another half hour of grief and agony, especially when it involves a little girl. (I also suspect it was a very bad movie to begin with, not something my barely teenage brain was likely to comprehend).

Anyway, in case you haven’t figured it out by now, according to Pajiba’s official industry insider, The Hollywood Cog a remake of Beaches is under consideration by Walt Disney Films. It doesn’t necessarily mean it will be remade, but producer LouAnne Brickhouse (Beverly Hills Chihuahua, College Road Trip) with David Manpearl (Stay Alive) and Mandeville films are trying to finance the remake. No one has yet been approached to fill Barbara Hershey and Bette Midler’s original roles, but Jennifer Hudson and Katherine Heigl are being eyed as the ideal candidates.

The good news, especially for frustrated “Grey’s Anatomy” fans is that, someday in the not-too-distant future, you may actually get a chance to see Katherine Heigl bite it.

For the unfamiliar, Beaches was a 1988 film based on an Ira Rainer novel about a New York child performer CC Bloom and San Fransisco rich kid Hillary, who meet in a holiday resort in Atlantic City, it marks the start of a lifetime friendship between them. The two keep in touch through letters for a number of years until Hillary, now a successful lawyer moves to New York to stay with struggling singer CC. The movie shows the various stages of their friendship and their romances including their love for the same man.


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Comments

Is there ANY corpse that Hollywood won't exhume and attempt to reanimate?
No?
Fuck.

Posted by: Spender at October 21, 2009 5:51 PM

Bette Midler is my secret best friend for life but Beaches fucking suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuucked.
I hate those movies. Beaches, ...the...Shirley Mclaine piece of shit where her bitch daughter gets cancer, that other one with the stupid hair and 'love means never having to say you're sorry' ONLY IF YOU HAVE BRAIN DAMAGE, Steel Magnolias, ALL OF THEM.
I was forced to endure these god awful films as a kid by my far weepier mother and older sister. I would be bored sick about five minutes into each. I'd much rather have been watching thundercats.
THUNDERCATS ARE GOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooo.......

Posted by: Nadine at October 21, 2009 5:55 PM

Is TK making fun of you for this? No? BSlim? Mrs. Pajiba-Hyphenate? Someone needs to take this prime opportunity for mockery. I have mid terms to study for and no time to properly define how much of a wuss DR is.

Posted by: Optimus Rhyme at October 21, 2009 6:04 PM

I don't know who on the Heigl PR team authorized that photo, but it needs to be redacted. When I first saw the picture, I thought, "What's Lindsey Lohan done now?" and it took the link to correct my mistake. Seriously...when you're a hugely successful (monetarily, at least) television actress, the last thing you need is a snap that makes you look crispy and greasy.

Posted by: bonnie at October 21, 2009 6:04 PM

Also, Nadine, isn't the line "THUNDERCATS HOOOOOOO!"? I may be wrong.

Posted by: Optimus Rhyme at October 21, 2009 6:07 PM

I'm sure Beaches sucks.

I'm sure it sucks almost as much as trying frantically to scroll to a place where the "Is it a cooch? Is it a lamp?" ad isn't visible and finding that it's now impossible because there are now THREE cooch/lamp ads playing ring around the rosie around your very well-written and informative piece.

It wouldn't be a problem... but I'm in the student society lounge right now...

But I digress. Beaches sucks. (so I've been told.)

Posted by: Ling at October 21, 2009 6:07 PM

Optimus...We may both be wrong/right...I remember Thundercats are go, but Thundercats Hoooooooooooo feels warm and snuggly too...hmmmm

Posted by: Nadine at October 21, 2009 6:09 PM

Speaking of "unfamiliar," Blossom didn't lose her mom. She played the homely young version of homely adult Bette Midler at the beginning of the movie. Also, the Barbara Hershey character IS the one who dies, so Heigl fans would be in luck.

And now I hate myself for knowing this. THANKS, Dustin!

(Well, it has been 20 years since I've seen it. Wasn't Blossom inconsolable at some point, weeping into her bed? Jesus. My memory apparently sucks. -- DR

Posted by: Craig at October 21, 2009 6:16 PM

I first watched Beaches with a friend when we were like 10. We cried like a small child who was told there was no Santa Clause and ice cream was deadly.

I watched it again recently - a friend called me right after it was over, and asked why I sounded so horrible.

"I just watched Beaches"

"Alone?!?!?!?"

It's so good when you need a cry and are thinking of your best girl friend. If they remake it with Katherine Heigl . . . My soul hurts right now. A lot.

Posted by: Lollygagger at October 21, 2009 6:23 PM

Hahaha, it is awesome that you knew all that Craig.

Posted by: becks at October 21, 2009 6:23 PM

I remember an uncomfortably hot Cheetah, Panthero and how much the Snarf blew.

Posted by: Optimus Rhyme at October 21, 2009 6:24 PM

Rhyme, come on, it's just Snarf, not the Snarf.

Though I do remember it as "Thudercats HOOOOOOOO!" as well.

Posted by: becks at October 21, 2009 6:29 PM

I wanted to be Kit and kat and loved Tigro. I mean LOVED him. He was my cartoon crush befoe Gambit in the x-men cartoon. *sigh*

Posted by: Nadine at October 21, 2009 6:30 PM

See, all I can think about now is a Margaret Cho bit about how the one gay bar in Scotland is named "CC Bloom's" after Bette Midler's character in Beaches, and how that is the gayest thing she has ever heard.

Posted by: jeem at October 21, 2009 6:31 PM

First time I cried at a movie that I remember was during the end of Return of the Jedi, people always bitch about how Jedi was too kiddy, but I guarantee that movie will stomp your heart flat as a tortilla at the end scene.

Posted by: George at October 21, 2009 6:36 PM

You have all missed the crucial detail in this story:

...producer LouAnne Brickhouse...with David Manpearl...

Okay, "Brickhouse" is bad enough (huhuhhuhhuh) but...Manpearl?! That's an actual surname? Manpearl?!

Mockery HOOOOOOOOOOOooooo...

Posted by: Jerce at October 21, 2009 6:36 PM

If I opened a Gay Bar in Scotland, I'd call it Jock's.

Posted by: Nadine at October 21, 2009 6:37 PM

oooh Nadine you beat me to it! I was gonna say how much I hated this AND Steal Magnolias!!!! see for me it was my weepy mother and YOUNGER sister who loved these POS movies! GAH... they would tell me that I had a HEART OF STONE because I would never cry at these stupid tear-gasm fests...
(although I REALLY loved laughing at Julia Roberts diabetes/hair salon scene in SM... ACTING!!!)

Posted by: Tammers at October 21, 2009 6:41 PM

Tammers, teeehheeee, SHE'S ACTRESSIN Y'ALL!!!
Aye i'd get that 'oh you're a cold hearted mare you' and i'd be like No, No I have a soul...I cried whn the Iron Giant called himself Superman.
I cried for THE ENTIRETY of Up. I got misty eyed in The Incredibles when Dash runs on water.
I sobbed, SOBBED when DOyle died on Angel and I wept and cheered at the season finale of the show. I can cry. When it's sad.
But Beaches? I dont need no stinkin' Beaches

Posted by: Nadine at October 21, 2009 6:48 PM

Yeah, "Manpearl" has got to be one of the worst names ever. Where the fuck would a name like that even come from?

If I opened a bar in Scotland (gay or otherwise), I'd call it "The Fat Bastard."

And finally, I'm a chick and I've never seen "Beaches," nor do I ever intend to. Just thought I'd share.

Posted by: Slash at October 21, 2009 6:53 PM

OK, so here's a story:
I'm studying abroad in London right now, and of course had to take a pilgrimage to Amsterdam. Did it with one of my best stoner buddies, and we took a travel-service trip type thing that took us there on a bus, then a ferry, and another bus. This tour group served a bunch of college students. They showed us two movies on this trip. On the way there....The Bucket List. " What the fuck?" says me and my stoner buddy. "Why in the name of Godtopus would you pick that for a tour of mostly college students?" But, we figured it is a relatively recent movie and it stars Morgan Freeman, so I guess we can watch it. Whatever, that one is besides the point. On the way back at the end of the weekend, the movie was...you guessed it, fucking Beaches. Baffling. To step the absurdity up another level, when the bus was waiting to get on the ferry, we were parked next to another bus, this one full of old people. Their movie? Hot Fuzz

Posted by: Joe at October 21, 2009 6:53 PM

Jerce, I'm with you. The last names of those people are cracking me up.
Manpearl . . there's no way to say that without it sounding reallllly dirty.
Like a bad euphemism in an even worse porn.

Posted by: myysharona (formerly Sharon) at October 21, 2009 7:01 PM

You want to hear bad names? I took a lead today for the compny I'm working for. Mr Cockayne.
A few days earlier, I'd gotten mrs Hammaslag.

For the non brits, Slag is British for big dirty SLUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUTTTT.

Posted by: Nadine at October 21, 2009 7:03 PM

I used to work in a bar that had a regular Irish folk band every Friday night. One of the singers did this amazing folked-up (yes, that's a real term) version of Wind Beneath My Wings: just him and his guitar, and I loved it. Then that fucking film came out and Bette Midler destroyed that song forever with her long drawn out notes and her need to make it overdramatic. It was actually written by a guy about his father and it's not meant to be at all diva-esque in the way it's performed. Anyway, I hate Beaches because it ruined a perfectly good little song. And don't try to contradict me unless you ever heard Pat Horan sing it.

Posted by: PaddyDog at October 21, 2009 7:06 PM

Um, Dustin, Mayim Bialik plays young Bette in that movie. The girl who plays Barbara Hersey's daughter is the one who breaks down. God, I wish I didn't know that.

Posted by: Mebe at October 21, 2009 7:23 PM

The first time I saw Beaches, I was 15 and had just found out I had cancer a couple hours before. I was in a children's ward of the hospital and a group of us were watching it. At the time, it sort of helped me think through this huge thing. But now I just think, "Who the fuck even made Beaches an option?!" Someone didn't think that one through.

/cancer free and mostly awesome now, thanks.

Posted by: jadeblue at October 21, 2009 7:29 PM

Nadine and Optimus
I think that it was ThunderBIRDS are GOOOoooo! and
ThunderCATS Hooooooooo!

Posted by: Drake at October 21, 2009 7:30 PM

I call bullshit on this rumour, from the made-up producer names to the generic leads. This Dustin's new game 'One Lie'. If I were Rich Johnston, this story would have a big red light next to it. I'd also seem smug and superior all the damned time.

Posted by: Daniel Hall at October 21, 2009 8:40 PM

I used to work with a guy whose last name was Slutskin. Pronounced just the way it looks. His emails always ended up in the spam folders.

Posted by: CJK at October 21, 2009 9:11 PM

They're all the effing same ... Fried Green Magnolias of Endearment on the Ship of Dreams - BAH to all of them.

I have a heart of stone.

And bacon.

Posted by: readrick at October 21, 2009 11:47 PM

And though I am manly and made of beer and bacon, I can distinguish that the lyric/subhead should read:

Fly Heigl, fly high against the sky,
so high I almost touch the sky.
Thank you, thank you
Thanks god for you, the tu-mor in her braiiiiiiin.

I need to go crush a beer can against my forehead now.

Posted by: readrick at October 21, 2009 11:53 PM

"But seeing little Blossom (Mayim Bialik) inconsolable sent me over the edge."

When did that happen? She played the young Bette Midler. Did you actually see this movie?

Posted by: Oomgawa at October 22, 2009 1:28 AM

Here's one that makes me cry, "Boys on the Side". Damn that Whoopie Goldberg. It's the song she sings at the end that gets me.

Posted by: Oomgawa at October 22, 2009 1:31 AM

The one that always gets me is 'Never Been Kissed' because SHE'S NEVER BEEN KISSED BUT AT THE END SHE GETS KISSED AND IT'S BEAUTIFUL AND WHAT SHE ALWAYS DREAMED OF AND WAAAAH EVERY TIME I WATCH IT I FEEL LIKE I HAVE A VAGINA AND THAT VAGINA IS WEEPING TEARS OF JOY

Posted by: Daniel Hall at October 22, 2009 1:48 AM

DRAKE! You Marvellous Steward of Bars, you are indeed completely right.

It's the Thunder. SO MUCH THUNDER

Posted by: Nadine at October 22, 2009 6:36 AM

If I had a Gay Bar in Scotland Id call it Manpearls.


Also I must clarify my mother and I NEVER made Nadine watch Love Story I haven't even seen that piece of crap so shes obviously lying plus I have seen her cry at many, MANY classic weepies that she would rather I didnt mention-Lil' Nadine aint as tough as she makes out you know.
Also If you are going to put Dolly Parton, Shirley MaClaine and Bette Midler in any type of movie I will watch it: weepie, action, horror I will book my ticket, reserve my seat and watch that bitch to death if you add Meryl Streep and Tina Fey and throw em in the same film I will never leave that cinema. Not even to pee.

Posted by: nieve at October 22, 2009 6:42 AM

I dont cry at weepies. THEY ARE SHIT. I cry at robots blowing themselves up to save little human boys....OH IRON GIANT, WHYYYYYYYY?!

Shut up Nieve. Go and have your nap.
Ginger whore.

Posted by: Nadine at October 22, 2009 6:46 AM

Bitch please! I am not ginger Im chestnut brown.

I have SEEEEEEEN you cry at weepies usually on the Hallmark channel you big crying sack of shit. And who doesnt cry at the iron giant?? Its the worlds saddest film so crying at that is nothing to be proud of.
Whats wrong with crying at a sad film? A good cry is needed sometimes.

Posted by: nieve at October 22, 2009 7:11 AM

WHEN HAVE I CRIED?

Posted by: Nadine at October 22, 2009 7:12 AM

I once had a client whose last name was Dikshit.

My co-irker had a client whose name was in Swedish and it didn't seem too weird until you tried to pronounce it -- Juiced Nipples.

Posted by: BWeaves at October 22, 2009 8:59 AM

When I kicked your bitch ass.

Posted by: nieve at October 22, 2009 10:39 AM


Oooh, Sister-Fight! No hair-pulling!!!!

Posted by: Drake at October 22, 2009 12:20 PM

No wya Drake we fight mean and dirty-less hair pulling and scratching more knuckle dusters and curb biting

Posted by: nieve at October 22, 2009 3:00 PM

"You are who you choose to be!"

"SUPERMAN!"

Posted by: Daniel Hall at October 22, 2009 8:14 PM

Who cares!!! My boyfriend also agrees with me. He is 10 years older than me, lol. We met online at age-gap club -- http://AgelessOnly.COM/. Maybe you wanna check out or tell your friends.

Posted by: Helen at October 23, 2009 1:36 AM

Age-Gap Club! Try out a new wrinkle tonight! Thank you Helen-spambot!

AHEM. I was too harsh, Dustin. Let's never fight again. heh

Posted by: Craig at October 23, 2009 3:10 PM





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