Stella (1990 film)
Stella | |
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Directed by | John Erman |
Screenplay by | Robert Getchell |
Based on | Stella Dallas 1923 novel by Olive Higgins Prouty |
Produced by | Samuel Goldwyn Jr. |
Starring |
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Cinematography | Billy Williams |
Edited by | Jerrold L. Ludwig Bud Molin |
Music by | John Morris |
Production companies | |
Distributed by | Buena Vista Pictures Distribution (North America) The Samuel Goldwyn Company (International) |
Release date | February 2, 1990 |
Running time | 109 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $19 million |
Box office | $20.2 million |
Stella is a 1990 American drama film produced by The Samuel Goldwyn Company and released by Touchstone Pictures. The screenplay by Robert Getchell is the third feature film adaptation of the 1923 novel Stella Dallas by Olive Higgins Prouty. Previous film versions were Stella Dallas (1937) and the silent film Stella Dallas (1925).
The title character is an extrovert, flamboyant single mother living in
Plot
Stella (Bette Midler) is a feisty woman working in a bar when she meets and falls for the suave charms of the young Dr. Stephen Dallas (Stephen Collins). Although from opposite ends of the social spectrum, they start an affair that results in Stella becoming pregnant.
After he proposes half-heartedly, she rejects him and embarks upon raising their child, Jenny, as a single mother but is always helped and encouraged by her stalwart friend, a local good natured barfly, Ed Munn (John Goodman). Stella is fiercely independent and proud and is determined to do well by this child and take on whatever jobs she must to raise her daughter properly.
When Jenny is 4 years old, her father suddenly reappears on the scene and is determined to get to know his daughter. At first reluctant to allow him, Stella is persuaded to allow contact, and a happy bond develops between the father and daughter.
As Jenny (Trini Alvarado) grows up, she becomes torn between her father's rich and well-connected background and her loyalty and love for her mother who is poor and free spirited but devoted to her daughter. She also despises the perceived relationship she sees developing between Stella and Ed Munn, who is now a broken alcoholic. Jenny eventually meets and falls for a boy from her father's world. Stella realizes that the disparities in her own and Jenny's father's backgrounds might now jeopardize her daughter's future happiness.
Cast
- Bette Midler as Stella Claire
- John Goodman as Ed Munn
- Trini Alvarado as Jenny Claire
- Ashley Peldon as Jenny (age 3)
- Alisan Porter as Jenny (age 8)
- Stephen Collinsas Stephen Dallas
- Marsha Mason as Janice Morrison
- Eileen Brennan as Mrs. Wilkerson
- Linda Hart as Debbie Whitman
- Ben Stiller as Jim Uptegrove
- William McNamara as Pat Robbins
According to John Candy's biography,[citation needed][ISBN missing] he was in talks to play Midler's working class husband. However, when he was informed that Midler demanded he do a screen test, Candy became incredulous proclaiming "who the (expletive) does she think she is?!" and declined. John Goodman was eventually cast in the role.
Reception
On
Box office
Stella debuted at No. 2 in Canada and the United States behind Driving Miss Daisy.[6] Total US gross for the film was $20,240,128.[7]
Home media
The film was issued on VHS on
References
- ^ "Stella". Metacritic. Retrieved 2023-09-07.
- ^ Rainer, Peter (1990-02-02). "MOVIE REVIEWS : Melodrama: Was this 'Stella,' a loony Midler remake, really necessary?". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2012-06-10.
- Washington Post. 1990-02-02. Retrieved 2012-06-10.
- ^ Maslin, Janet (1990-02-02). "Review/Film;Bette Midler as a Selfless Mother in Tear-Inducing 'Stella'". The New York Times. Retrieved 2022-06-10.
- Chicago Sun Times. Retrieved 2022-04-10.
- ^ Broeske, Pat H. (1990-02-06). "WEEKEND BOX OFFICE : 'Driving Miss Daisy' Gets the Checkered Flag". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2012-06-10.
- ^ "Stella (1990) - Financial Information". The Numbers.
- ^ Hunt, Dennis (1990-09-27). "VIDEO RENTALS: 'Born' Can't Pass High-Revving 'Daisy'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2012-06-10.
External links
- Stella at IMDb
- Stella at AllMovie
- Stella at the TCM Movie Database
- Stella at the American Film Institute Catalog
- Stella at Box Office Mojo
- Stella at Rotten Tomatoes