Product: Peggy Sue Got Married [VHS] (1986)
Rating: 2.0
How odd ...
This was a truly strange movie, from multiple perspectives. Firstly that Francis Ford Coppola would choose something like a pseudo romantic comedy to add to his resume. Secondly that Nicholas Cage would star as the male lead, when he was known before as being the dingbat bumbling fool and after as the brooding dark eccentric. And third, the whole premise of the movie was just plain odd.Kathleen Turner plays Peggy Sue, a divorced, middle aged and unhappy woman who goes to her high school reunion despite all her misgivings. At the reunion she faints, then wakes up back in time. She is once again in high school. She is given a chance to do it all over again.The foundation of this movie was not odd, as it's been the theme of many sci fi and fantasy films past and present. There are a few funny moments with the typical fish out of water / anachronism humor (I also remembered going to my high school reunion and remarking that a lot of things they taught were so useless - You didn't take Honors English last year so you have to stay in the Special Ed English class! - You can't have study hall! Gym class is priority! - Take the science elective or you won't get into college!, etc.). She starts off the movie saying that had she known then what she knows now, she would have done things much differently. We all think that at one point or another. And she does do some things differently, like going for the mysterious poet she always admired from afar. But, she doesn't do things differently in the end. She is approached by the school nerd who would grow up to be a wealthy and successful man, and when he proposes that she change her destiny and marry him, she refuses. Peggy Sue said she wanted to go back to the present because she missed her kids. Missed her kids?! If she stayed in this time or went with someone else her kids wouldn't exist! She ends up with her husband, perhaps because of this reason, and essentially continues back down the same path.That was a disappointment, a major disappointment. She goes back in time and doesn't affect the future in a positive way, except to afirm to herself that she is content being miserable in the present. And how about that weird scene with her grandparents and trying to send her back in time at the Shriners' convention? Too stupid for words. The best part of this movie was Nicholas Cage, in that it would spring board him into other roles and a successful movie career. Otherwise don't waste your time.