X
- 1990
- PG-13
- Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
- 1 h 49 m
- 1990
- PG-13
- Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
- 1 h 49 m
Summary A strong and eccentric woman's devoted relationship to her daughter through the years.
Directed By: John Erman
Written By: Olive Higgins Prouty, Robert Getchell
- 1990
- PG-13
- Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
- 1 h 49 m
- 1990
- PG-13
- Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
- 1 h 49 m
Stella
45
User Score
Available after 4 ratings
tbd
Summary A strong and eccentric woman's devoted relationship to her daughter through the years.
Directed By: John Erman
Written By: Olive Higgins Prouty, Robert Getchell
Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 18 Critic Reviews
45
22% Positive
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
50% Mixed
9 Reviews
9 Reviews
28% Negative
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 18 Critic Reviews
45
22% Positive
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
50% Mixed
9 Reviews
9 Reviews
28% Negative
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
Stella is the kind of movie they used to call a tearjerker, and we might as well go ahead and still call it that, because all around me at the sneak preview people were blowing noses and sort of softly catching their breath - you know, the way you do when you're having a great time.
Stella is another strong showing for Goodman, one of three great performances in a movie that might jumble its story a bit but mostly does justice to a classic. [2 Feb 1990, p.G5]
If Midler weren't involved, and if she weren't surrounded by a good ensemble, the whole enterprise probably would fall into a watery grave. But Midler carries off the role. [2 Feb 1990, p.5F]
Erman could have made a movie that left the Bette Midler stereotype in the eighties where it belonged, but he didn't. Great if you're a Bette fan, somewhat trying if you're not, though thankfully some of the sheer hamminess has been dulled with time.
No one looks particularly comfortable, not even Midler, who has most of the best dialogue. She's watchable as Stella, but that's really the nicest thing I can say for her work in this unfortunate picture. Does Bette Midler really believe that people of limited means can't raise their kids decently? Or is the Divine Miss M making some great joke whose subtle point I am failing to grasp?
Stella is never dull, but by the time it replays the famous Barbara Stanwyck-in-the-rain scene, it’s jerking camp laughter instead of tears.
Unfortunately, the filmmakers here seem to lack any notion of how to create a well-crafted vehicle, and the whole thing comes off as an uncertain, shoddy attempt to wring box-office dollars from sniffling audiences.
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