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''Mermaids'' is a 1990 American comedy-drama film directed by Richard Benjamin and starring Cher, Bob Hoskins, Winona Ryder (who was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for best supporting actress for her role), and Christina Ricci in her first film role. It is based on the 1986 novel of the same title written by Patty Dann. It was shot in and around the town of Ipswich, Massachusetts and Pawtucket, Rhode Island. ==Plot== The film is narrated by Charlotte Flax, a 15-year-old girl living in Oklahoma with her glamorous but eccentric mother, Rachel (whom she calls "Mrs. Flax"), and 9-year-old sister, Kate, who calls her by her given name. The narration begins in early fall 1963, just as Rachel's latest fling with her married employer ends and she decides to relocate once again. This time, they move to a new home near a convent in the small town of Eastport, Massachusetts. Charlotte has an obsession with Catholicism and idolizes the nuns living in the convent. She is always reminded by Rachel that they are Jewish. Kate, on the other hand, loves oceans and swimming. She apparently learned to do so when she was a baby, allowing her to win many competitions. In Eastport, Charlotte becomes especially interested in Joe, the 26-year-old handsome caretaker of the convent and local school bus driver while Rachel falls in love with a local shop owner named Lou Landsky. After the assassination of John F. Kennedy, Charlotte comforts Joe in mourning and they end up kissing in the bell tower where he rings the church bell. After the encounter, she begins fasting in order to purge her sinful thoughts. Soon fearing that God may be punishing her by making her pregnant (and unable to talk to her mother about it), she steals Rachel's car and runs away. She stops at the house of a "nuclear perfect family" in Connecticut asking to spend the night, tells them her name is Sal Val, and other wild stories (which they don't seem to completely believe). Later on, she is picked up by Lou and taken home. Upon returning home, Charlotte receives a harsh scolding from Rachel who calms down after drinking Scotch liquor and tells Charlotte that she was worried sick about her safety and, thinking that it's her fault that Charlotte ran away from home, admits that even though she's not an expert in her parenting, she's willing to compromise and try her best to take care of both Charlotte and Kate. The next day, Charlotte makes an appointment at the nearest hospital, where she goes to see an obstetrician and is told she is still a virgin. Relieved, she goes home, dispelled of her assumption that "one kiss can get you pregnant". At a New Year's costume party, Lou asks Rachel to move in with him but she declines, reminding him that they're still married to different spouses and not willing to break up with him nor let their relationship progress, and they have a big fight. Rachel then asks Joe for a ride home after which she wishes him a happy new year and kisses him. Charlotte sees this and feels that her mother is trying to steal him away. The night after the incident, Charlotte dresses up in Rachel's clothes and makeup and she and Kate get drunk on wine. She then takes her to the convent to see Joe. Kate decides to stay behind and collect rocks while Charlotte goes up to the bell tower to find Joe and ends up losing her virginity to him. Unbeknownst to them, Kate falls into a river and almost drowns, but is saved by the nuns. Rachel is very angry at the turn of events and she and Charlotte have a big fight, later deciding to move again to avoid embarrassment as the whole town is talking about Charlotte and Joe. However, Charlotte convinces her to stay there at least for another year. Rachel stays behind and her relationship with Lou progresses. Joe moves to California but keeps in touch with Charlotte via postcards, while she gains a reputation in high school and takes Greek myths as her new passion (even though Rachel reminds her she's not Greek). Kate recovers from nearly drowning although the accident left her hearing sounding fuzzy, and the film ends with all three of them setting the table for dinner (something they never did before Lou came into their lives) and dancing. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Mermaids (1990 film)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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