Now and Then (1995)
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Four women reunite in their hometown to recount a pivotal summer of shared secrets and adolescent discovery in 1970.
The story
In 1995, four childhood friends—Samantha, Teeny, Roberta, and Chrissy—reunite in their hometown of Shelby, Indiana. They reflect on a memorable summer in 1970 spent in their affluent suburban neighborhood. During that summer, twelve-year-old Samantha attempts to raise money for a tree house while the girls navigate individual struggles: Samantha's parents' divorce, Teeny's pursuit of stardom, Roberta's insecurities about her developing body, and Chrissy's naivete. Motivated by Samantha's interest in the occult, the girls begin sneaking out at night to hold séances in a local cemetery, leading them on a quest to uncover the mystery of a young boy's death.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1995, four women reunite in Shelby, Indiana, to reminisce about the summer of 1970. As adolescents, they faced various personal hurdles: Samantha dealt with her parents' divorce, Teeny sought fame, Roberta struggled with puberty, and Chrissy was sheltered by her mother. They spent their nights holding séances in a cemetery, eventually believing they resurrected the spirit of 'Dear Johnny.' Their quest led them to discover the tragic truth of Johnny's death and the violent circumstances of Roberta's mother's accident. The girls also dealt with a rivalry against the Wormer brothers. After a series of events, including a near-drowning and a pact of loyalty, they eventually realized the summer brought them independence from one another. In the present, Chrissy goes into labor, and the friends reaffirm their bond. It is revealed that 'Crazy Pete' was actually Peter Sims, the father of Jonathan Sims, and that he died the previous year.
- First release year
- 1995
- Runtime (minutes)
- 100
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Lesli Linka Glatter
- Writers
- I. Marlene King · writer
- Cast and characters
- Christina Ricci · Roberta Martin; Thora Birch · Tina "Teeny" Tercell; Gaby Hoffmann · Samantha Albertson; Ashleigh Aston Moore · Chrissy DeWitt; Melanie Griffith · Tina "Teeny" Tercell; Demi Moore · Samantha Albertson; Rosie O'Donnell · Roberta Martin; Rita Wilson · Chrissy DeWitt
- Genres
- comedy-drama; coming-of-age
- Themes
- girlhood; female friendship; coming-of-age; death and grief; budding sexuality
- Tone and mood
- sweet; funny; sprightly; giddiness
- Setting
- Shelby, Indiana in 1970 and 1995
- Premise and plot tags
- coming-of-age; female friendship; mystery; supernatural; drama
- Reception
- The film received unfavorable reviews upon release but was a box office success and has since gained a large cult following, particularly as a staple at girls' sleepovers.
- Production trivia
- The film's working title was The Gaslight Addition.; The film is considered a cult classic for its depiction of girlhood and centering of female friendships.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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