Now and Then

Plot synopsis:
In 1991, four childhood friends reunite in their hometown of Shelby, Indiana. Samantha Albertson (Demi Moore), a science-fiction writer, narrates the story. As an adolescent (played by Gaby Hoffmann) Samantha was considered the "weird" girl who liked performing seances and was interested in science fiction and the supernatural. Roberta Martin (Rosie O'Donnell), a doctor, was a tough tomboy (played by Christina Ricci) whose mother died when she was four years old. Chrissy DeWitt (Rita Wilson), who lives in her childhood home, is married and about to give birth to her first child. As a naïve youngster (played by Ashleigh Aston Moore), she was overly sheltered by her mother. Tina "Teeny" Tercell (Melanie Griffith) is a successful Hollywood actress; as a child (played by Thora Birch), she had always dreamed of fame. Teeny and Samantha have not visited their hometown in ten years.
The story flashes back to 1970 when the girls had two goals: saving enough money to buy a tree house and avoiding the Wormer brothers. One night, they sneak out to the cemetery to perform a seance. A cracked tombstone convinces them they have resurrected the spirit of a young boy identified only as Dear Johnny, who died in 1945 at the age of twelve. Intrigued, they search for information at the library but find nothing.
Later, while heading for the library in a nearby town, they spy the Wormer brothers skinny dipping in the lake. To retaliate for a prank the boys played on them, the girls steal the boys' clothes, tossing them onto the road while riding off. At the library, Roberta discovers an article about her mother being killed in a car accident, a fact previously unknown to her. Samantha finds a story about Dear Johnny and his mother tragically dying, but a part is missing, leaving the cause of their deaths a mystery. The girls then visit a local psychic (Janeane Garafalo) who determines he was murdered.
Samantha goes home and unexpectedly meets Bud Kent (Hank Azaria), a man her newly-single mother invited to dinner. Upset, she storms out and flees to Teeny's. They hang out in the tree house display at the store where Samantha confesses her parents are getting divorced. Teeny comforts her, then breaks her favorite necklace in two, giving one half to Samantha as a "best friends for life" bracelet. On their way home during a thunder storm, Samantha loses it in a storm drain. When she climbs down to retrieve it, the water rises, trapping her. Crazy Pete, an old vagrant, pulls her out. Grateful, the girls now see him differently. At the same time, Roberta is playing basketball in her driveway when Scott Wormer (Devon Sawa) suddenly arrives. They question why they fight all the time before sharing a kiss.
The next day, the girls consult Samantha's grandmother (Cloris Leachman) about Dear Johnny's death, and discover from a newspaper article that he and his mother were murdered. Roberta becomes upset and angry that two innocent people were killed and also by the realization that her mother died violently, contrary to what she was told. Samantha announces that her parents are divorcing, and the four make a pact to always be there for one another.
To put Dear Johnny's soul to rest, the girls go to the cemetery to perform another seance. Johnny's tombstone suddenly rises surrounded by bright light. A figure appears from behind, but it is only the groundskeeper who explains that the stone was damaged and is being replaced. The groundskeeper explains he was the one who cracked the tombstone. Realizing they never resurrected Dear Johnny, they agree to stop the seances. While leaving, they notice Crazy Pete, and Samantha follows him back to Dear Johnny's grave. Realizing that he is Dear Johnny's father, she comforts him, while he advises her not to dwell on things. Some time after, the tree house is finally bought, and Samantha narrates, "The tree house was supposed to bring us more independence. But what the summer actually brought was independence from each other."
The film returns to 1991, and Chrissy goes into labor and gives birth to a girl. Later, in their old tree house, it is revealed by Roberta that Crazy Pete had died the previous year. They then discuss how happy they are in life and make another pact to visit more often.

Tags: paranormal, flashback

Review:
In this coming-of-age story set in both the 1970s and 1990s, the younger cast is brilliant and natural, particularly Christina Ricci and Gaby Hoffmann.
And at these points, the movie groans along like a garbage disposal with too many potato peels crammed in it.Remarkably, the dismal acting of these veteran actresses isn't as bad as the lack-luster script during these "flash-fronts".
Fast-forwarding the tape won't rob anyone of the film's message (something like "friendship is forever," or "don't go into cemeteries at night"), and it'll save you about 30 minutes of fidgeting, waiting for the film to turn back to the four girls.
In the younger days, samantha is played by Gaby Hoffmann, Roberta by Christina Ricci, Teeny by Thora Birch and Chrissy is being played by Ashleigh Aston Moore.
The story is just so great, i could watch the movie all over again.It makes you think that real friends do exist.
The movie is like Stand By Me, except it shows girls's perspectives.
The film is a good and fun movie to watch for fun.
It was cute, the plot was good, it actually kind of reminded me of another fantastic film called "Stand By Me", but in a girl's perspective of course.
Although I did not enjoy the 'Now' version of the film, where the four girls are grown up and re-uniting, mostly because i feel the characters dont really like eachother anymore, i loved watching the 'then' part with the four girls growing up in 1970's USA.
Watch as we follow Christina Richie and friends growing up through fun times (Devon Sawa getting his clothes stolen) and bad times (Richie finding out how her mum died).
Best compared to "Stand By Me" and "Man in the Moon," this tender movie gently touches base with the delicate time period when young girls experience the confusions and emotions that are present in the process of puberty.
The film details the lives of four best friends, Samantha (Gaby Hoffmann), Teeny (Thora Birch), Roberta (Christina Ricci), and Chrissy (Ashleigh Aston Moore).
The adult actresses, including Rosie O'Donnell, Rita Wilson, Demi Moore, and Melanie Griffith, appear only as wraparound bookends to fill the audience's desire to see whom the girls turn out to be.
The film seems unclear of what it is about, whether it wants to detail the lives of four adolescent girls, discovering the death of Dear Johnny, childhood mischief: the story is so easily distracted.
Like all movies you watch when you are 11, it has that nostalgia value that no critic can touch.
A shoddy re-hash of Stand By Me. Virtually every wannabe feminist film since Thelma and Louise has taken its cue from a male film, but instead of doing an imaginative variation like T&L, has settled for out and out rip off and a simple minded "girls are better than guys" message.
reminisce at their friend's baby wake 20 years later about the summer where they tried to solve the death of a boy in their town, which is acted out by the likes of Christina Ricci and Thora Birch.
The only noteworthy thing in the entire the film is how anyone could have thought that the elf-like Ricci could have grown up to become Rosie O'Donnell!.
Samantha (Demi Moore) is called home to Shelby, Indianna for her childhood friend Chrissy (Rita Wilson)'s coming childbirth.
The four friends Roberta (Christina Ricci), Teeny (Thora Birch), Samantha (Gaby Hoffmann), and Chrissy (Ashleigh Aston Moore) try to earn enough money for a tree house.
Every girl can relate to one of the four characters and it reminds you of a simpler time where all that mattered were boys, having fun and navigating your way through growing up.
Accept it and hope they have supportive friends who they can share their journey with.If you watch the movie with an open heart you will find a great cast that feels real in their characters, a brilliant soundtrack that increases your nostalgia level and a deep and meaningful storyline.
It deals with subject matter that many adolescent movies steer clear of, just because you are young does not mean you haven't experienced hurt and pain like an adult.
Overall this is a touching movie that most girls and maybe some boys will probably enjoy watching and parents will probably enjoy it as well.
It really does give off a nostalgic feel because of the friendship, even if you didn't go through the same things the girls did in the movie.
This film was a wonderful piece of work if you are in one of those moods where you feel the need to reminisce, and appreciate life for all it has to offer, when young and old.
I like the coming of age story of four young girls in the summer of 1970, and the soundtrack contains all sorts of great songs from that time period.
In my honest opinion, "Now and Then" should be in the same category as "Stand By Me" and "The Goonies" as far as children/pre-teen/teen coming of age movies.
I just feel that the storyline regarding them as adults could've been expanded on a lot more, even if it meant making the movie's running time a bit longer than the filmmakers intended.All in all, despite my one grievance, "Now and Then" is an honest, funny, and sweet coming of age movie which will always be a classic in my mind..
'Now And Then' is about a group of women who return to their old treehouse and reminisce about the one summer that truly changed their lives...With an all star cast, 'Now And Then' features Melanie Griffith, Demi Moore, Rita Wilson and Rosie O'Donnell, with Thora Birch, Gaby Hoffman, Ashleigh Aston Moore and Christina Ricci playing their younger counterparts.Teen star Christina Ricci ('Casper', 'The Adams Family') is great - as is Ricci's 'Gold Diggers' co-star, Ashleigh Aston Moore - as the mis-informed Chrissy.
'Now And Then' is about a group of women who return to their old treehouse and reminisce about the one summer that truly changed their lives...With an all star cast, 'Now And Then' features Melanie Griffith, Demi Moore, Rita Wilson and Rosie O'Donnell, with Thora Birch, Gaby Hoffman, Ashleigh Aston Moore and Christina Ricci playing their younger counterparts.Teen star Christina Ricci ('Casper', 'The Adams Family') is great - as is Ricci's 'Gold Diggers' co-star, Ashleigh Aston Moore - as the mis-informed Chrissy.
The acting is A-Grade (the young girls look very promising) and the finished product is a film all the cast should be proud of..
The acting is A-Grade (the young girls look very promising) and the finished product is a film all the cast should be proud of..
The movie now and then is one of my favorites and will continue to be.It is the story of four best friends Roberta,Teeny,Samantha,and Chrissy.It shows two parts of their lives.
Then when they were young twelve year olds discovering love,boys,and true friendship.It takes place during the summer of 1970 where the girls go on a crazy adventure to find out about a spirit they thought they released during one of their séances.
This movie is great for girls of all ages.I love it,and I think other people will to :].
It is definitely the perfect girl summer movie.
Whenever I think of this movie, I think of all the great times these girls had together.
Charming if familiar coming of age tale is helped by good performances by the young female cast..
Four long time friends (Demi Moore, Rosie O'Donnell, Melaine Griffen and Rita Wilson) are reunited, since they didn't seen each other in years.
They talk about the best summer they ever had as Kids (Gaby Hoffman, Christina Ricci, Thora Birch and Ashleigh Aston Moore) and the difficulties they had growning up.Directed by Leslie Linka Glatter made an familiar, coming of age dramatic comedy.
The casting for the young actresses were spot on match with their adult counterparts played by big stars like Demi Moore, Melanie Griffith, Rita Wilson and Rosie O'Donnel.
when i was like 12 years old i saw this movie with my best friends and we loved it ...
I would recommend it to everyone, its a film that suits all ages and people, I would say its more of a chick's film, but I do know guys who have watched it and liked it.There are so many true phrases in the film, the best ones have to be when crazy Pete is talking to Sam by dear Jonny's grave, and the speech at the end by Sam, in the tree house holding the baby.
I have heard so many people refer to this film as a female version of "Stand by Me." Yes, I see similarities between the two films, mainly along the lines of friendship, growing up, family issues, the dead, and drifting apart with age.
Some parts are cheesy, but it has a great message and is timeless.Four childhood friends: Samantha, Roberta, Tina, and Chrissy make a pact one summer to be there for one another when needed.
While the adult actors: Demi Moore, Rosie O'Donnell, Melanie Griffith, and Rita Wilson provide great opening and closure to the film, it is the young actors who carry its weight.
But the film is a great reminder that in a cynical day and age, our friends are not lost!.
I will always remember this film because of the easy going lifestyle in the movie, the memorable characters, and the funny script.But now when I go and watch it again now, one question will always pop into my head.
Ashleigh Aston Moore..what ever happened to her?The casting is great, and truthfully, the 'then' kids provide a better performance than the adult 'now' women.Being released in '95, when Demi Moore was the apple of Hollywood, Christina Ricci was making it big with Casper, and Melanie Griffith's relationship with Antonio Banderas was in the spotlight, this movie would have generated quite a lot of hype.The best thing about this movie is the wonderful nostalgic feeling, that it leaves you at the end- making it a good feel good finale.I believe that Leslie Linka Glatter did an excellent job in directing- even the 'not so good' scenes were enhanced by a catchy vintage song from back in the days, which made you go along with it.Check out Dewon Sawa's first performances as Scott Wormer, and Brendan Frasier as the Vietnam Vet. All in all this movie speaks a lot about friendships- and being a pure chick flick, doesn't stop this movie from being soppy, girly or ditsy.As for my personal rating, i would give it without a doubt a 5/5..
I was seven, she was five, and we both fell in love with the music, characters (and the actresses that played them), the plot, and the movie in general.
This is a great movie, following Young Roberta through her years of "Girls can't play softball!" Christina Ricci is perfect.
My friends and I took on the parts of the girls and would act out scenes from the movie (by middle school, we moved on to Coyote Ugly).
In any case, I watched this movie again a few weeks ago and it reminded me of the good ol' days on the playground pretending to be Sam. This movie sums up my childhood, and i feel a bit nostalgic every time I see it.
Even as a seventeen year old "boy", I really enjoyed parts of this movie ;-)For me it's a kind of reference for that often told story of the summer of first love: all of the well-known cliché-characters - the four girls and their special patterns of behavior in relation to each other, the guys, the strange old man...
In addition to the unmotivated kind-of-story with it's incredibly boring and unmoving ending, all actresses deliver such a bad work, that Demi Moore actually makes the best impression to me - and she's not better at all than in her other movies.In order to rate this film in an honest way an AS IT IS, I can give it only 6 out of 10 - I highly recommend it, nevertheless..
I thought those four girls did a very good job, and I especially liked how Christina Ricci beat the snot out of that kid during the softball game.
This movie is about four young girls who made a promise to each other to always be there for one another, and then when they are older, that promise comes into affect.
The movie shows the girls growing up within a summer of there childhood.
I watched this movie over and over again because its great how these girls have such a great friendship that they can be so close but there is always someone else in the group that they consider their best friend out of all of them and though some might not stay that way its going to end up that way because of their promise..
Great movie about four young teenagers out for an adventure to find out how a certain boy died.
This is a touching story about 4 girls growing up as best friends.
This was an excellent movie with superb performances given by Christina Ricci, Gaby Hoffman, Thora Birch, and Ashleigh Aston Moore.
Every great once in a while a movie comes along and makes you feel that you know what it's like to be a certain person or at least their friends, crying with them, or laughing with them.
This is great movie for fans of "Stand By Me." Four friends make a promise when they're 12 to get together whenever one of them needs support.
I liked the way they had the adults and the kids.I loved this movie so much!
Once they meet up, they all go into there tree house, which they got when they were younger and they remember one certain summer, where they all had a lot of fun and found out different things about each-other and themselves.Theres a great cast in Now and Then, including Gaby Hoffmann, Christina Ricci, Thora Birch, and Ashleigh Aston Moore, who play the young Sam, Roberta, Teeny and Chrissy and Demi Moore, Rosie O'Donnell, Melanie Griffith and Rita Wilson, who play them when they're older.
The perspective of Samantha is like a young girl, and there isn't much to say about this awesome movie without spoiling its magic.On a scale from 1-10 i give it an 11+!.
Okay, so it's not really much like real life, it's a bit too idealistic, but it was way better then Stand By Me. I've tried watching that film more than 3 times, and I've never watched it all the way through.
If you do like "Stand By Me" I would recommend this movie as well..
Now and Then is a movie based in Shelby, Indiana back in 1970 when four best friends, Samantha, Roberta, Chrissy, and Teeny made a pact that whenever one of them needed each other, they would be there for each other, always.
I think all the four girls have done a brilliant job - from child actresses, some of them have starring roles in movies now.
This movie is NOT a cheap 'rip-off of "Stand By Me"' It is an intelligently thought out plot mixed with great acting by four teenage girls, and a lot of true life experiences no matter what time period you grew up..
If you're 12 years old, and a girl, I totally recommend this movie.
This movie about a summer where four friends find themselves is one of the best "Chick Flicks" I have ever seen.
(Even my brother likes this movie) It's got enough comedy to allow men and women to watch and enjoy it.
Although it sounds like an old cliche, Now and Then is really a coming of age movie.
It reminds me of me and my friends - the 4 younger girls are there for each other through the tough times and the good.
The plot struck me as a female version of "Stand By Me", set in a different part of the country with the added battle of the sexes.Best thing about this movie, apart from the casting, is the soundtrack.
Missed viewing this film in 1995 and was able to enjoy viewing all the great actors in the film and the wonderful portrayal of young girls growing into a very warm and loving relationship.
Four friends growing up in suburban Indiana; tomboy Roberta (Christina Ricci), future celebrity Teeny (Thora Birch), writer Samantha (Gaby Hoffman) and fat, goody-goody Chrissy (Ashleigh Aston Moore) spend the best summer of their lives in 1970 and make a vow to return to each other when they are in need.
This movie, made in 1995, is so much like STAND BY ME I could have thought I was watching the same movie with females replacing the boys.
This film does have its moments, mostly upon when talking about the performances by its young stars, which, for this movie, are the only stars.
And, even this:there is a fat scaredy cat in the girls' group, JUST like in STAND BY ME, yet again, the producers claim no relation.Right down to it, ** out of ****, since this movie wasnt SO bad.
I think that it was a great movie but it was kind of obvious that they were trying to do another "Stand by me" except with girls!!I totally recommend it to anyone who wants to be happy and cheerful!
If you enjoy coming of age movies like Stand by Me, Now and Then is its feminine counterpart.
Demi Moore, Rosie O'Donnell, Melanie Griffith, and Rita Wilson play the best friends "Now".
Christina Ricci, Gaby Hoffman, Thora Birch, and Ashleigh Aston Moore play the best friends "Then".
This movie is also great for Ricci, playing the highly insecure Roberta, the boys watching will have dreams about her when they see her shirtless.