Bette Midler, Barbara Hershey
Touchstone Pictures, Garry Marshall, 1988. PG-13, Drama.

Synopsis: Two children meet in Atlantic City. One is a daughter of a rich man (played as an adult by Barbara Hershey), the other is a brassy singer (played as an adult by Bette Midler). This film chronicles their friendship over the course of a lifetime.

Along the way they both have success and failure in their personal and professional lives, and even become estranged themselves at one point. But the friendship is an enduring one, and the movie is filled with many good lessons about life.

Trivia: This film was directed by Garry Marshall, who has a very versatile career. He has directed other successful films like “The Flamingo Kid,” and “Pretty Woman.” Earlier in his career he was the Executive Producer of the “Mork and Mindy” television series starring Robin Williams. He was also the Executive Producer of shows like “Happy Days” and “Laverne and Shirley,” the latter starring Penny Marshall, his sister. Penny has also had success as a director with such films as “Big,” “Awakenings,” and “A League Of Their Own.”

Talking Points: Friendship

1. Why do you think Hilary (Barbara Hershey) and CC (Bette Midler) became such good friends?

2. Do you have a story about how a special person became your friend?

3. In the New Testament the Greek word philia, is often used for friendship in relation to Jesus. This is the same word used in the name Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, “the city of brotherly love.” Jesus is described as the “friend of sinners” (Matt. 11:19). He also called His disciples “friends”(Luke 12:4). Can Christians really be friends with sinners as well as those who are fellow disciples?

4. In John 15:9-15 Jesus talks about sacrifice and friendship. Between Hilary and CC, who sacrificed the most? Must sacrifice be a part of all friendships?

5. Is dying the only way in which a person may lay down their life for a friend (John 15:13)? How did CC “lay down her life” for Hilary? How have you laid down your life for a friend? Has someone else laid down their life for you?