It’s funny how some films become time capsules, not just of the era they depict, but of the time we first watched them. Pulling the Now and Then tape from its slightly worn cardboard sleeve always felt like opening a photo album – a promise of sun-dappled memories, whispered secrets, and the kind of intense childhood friendships that felt like they’d last forever. Released in 1995 but painting a vivid picture of the summer of 1970, this movie didn't just tell a story; for many of us renting it from Blockbuster or Hollywood Video, it felt like our story, or at least, the idealized summer adventure we dreamed of.
That Unforgettable Summer
The setup is elegantly simple: four childhood friends – Roberta, Teeny, Samantha, and Chrissy – reunite as adults (Rita Wilson, Melanie Griffith, Demi Moore, and Rosie O'Donnell, respectively) when Chrissy is about to have her first baby. Their reunion triggers a flood of memories back to one pivotal summer in their suburban Indiana hometown of Shelby. The film then spends most of its time in 1970, following their younger selves, played with astonishing authenticity by Christina Ricci (Roberta), Thora Birch (Teeny), Gaby Hoffmann (Samantha), and the utterly charming Ashleigh Aston Moore (Chrissy). This summer is marked by bike rides, saving up for a treehouse, navigating burgeoning puberty, conducting séances in the cemetery, and trying to unravel the mystery surrounding a local boy named "Dear Johnny."
It's a narrative structure – adults reflecting on a formative past – that certainly echoes films like Stand by Me (1986), but Now and Then carved out its own vital space by placing female friendship squarely at its center. It wasn't just about a summer; it was about that summer, the one where everything starts to change, where childhood innocence bumps up against the confusing realities of the adult world.
A Quartet for the Ages
What truly elevates Now and Then beyond simple nostalgia is the powerhouse casting of its younger leads. Christina Ricci, fresh off her iconic Wednesday Addams portrayal, brings a tough vulnerability to Roberta, grappling with her mother's death. Thora Birch, already showing the talent that would shine in films like American Beauty (1999), perfectly captures Teeny's yearning for glamour and sophistication. Gaby Hoffmann, a natural talent seen in films like Field of Dreams (1989), plays the quirky, budding writer Samantha with quiet intelligence. And Ashleigh Aston Moore is simply luminous as the sweet, rule-following Chrissy, the heart of the group. Their chemistry feels utterly real; you believe these girls share secrets, fight, make up, and genuinely love each other. Reports from the set suggested the young actresses formed a tight bond off-screen, and it absolutely translates onto the screen, giving the film its warm, beating heart.
The adult cast provides the framing, and while their screen time is limited, seeing stars like Demi Moore (who also served as a producer, championing the project) and Rosie O'Donnell adds a certain gravitas. It's like looking at the 'after' picture in that photo album, connecting the dots between the girls they were and the women they became.
Crafting the Perfect Memory
Director Lesli Linka Glatter, who would later direct acclaimed television like Homeland, demonstrates a keen eye for capturing the textures of memory. The 1970s scenes are bathed in a warm, golden light, evoking that endless summer feeling. The production design nails the period details – the banana-seat bikes, the feathered hair, the specific kind of suburban comfort that felt both idyllic and slightly stifling. Writer I. Marlene King, drawing on some of her own childhood experiences, penned a script that feels personal and heartfelt. It’s no surprise King would later strike gold exploring complex female relationships and secrets with the hit show Pretty Little Liars. Now and Then feels like a gentler, more nostalgic precursor.
And oh, that soundtrack! Packed with instantly recognizable 70s hits like The Archies' "Sugar, Sugar" and Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours," the music isn't just background noise; it's the pulse of the era, instantly transporting you back. It’s the kind of soundtrack you’d play on repeat from the cassette tape.
More Than Just Nostalgia
While the film was met with somewhat mixed reviews upon its initial release in 1995, often facing the Stand by Me comparison, it found its true audience on home video. Costing a modest $12 million, it earned a respectable $37.5 million globally, but its real success lies in its enduring status as a beloved sleepover classic and a touchstone for female friendship on film. It wasn't afraid to tackle heavier themes – grief, divorce, body image, the first confusing sparks of sexuality – but always through the lens of the girls' unwavering support for one another.
One fascinating bit of trivia is how Demi Moore's involvement as a producer was key to getting the film made. She saw the value in this female-centered story, something perhaps less common in studio fare at the time. The filming, primarily done in Georgia to capture that timeless small-town American feel, successfully created the fictional Shelby, Indiana, making it a place that felt familiar and real. Even the slightly spooky mystery element involving Dear Johnny and the cemetery adds just the right amount of intrigue to their summer adventures without overshadowing the core emotional journey.
Sure, watching it today, some elements might feel a tad sentimental, maybe even a little predictable. But the sincerity shines through. It captures that specific ache of growing up, the bittersweet realization that things change, but the bonds you forge in those formative years leave an indelible mark. Remember saving up allowance for something huge like that treehouse? Or those slightly terrifying attempts to contact the great beyond with friends? The film taps into those universal experiences with genuine warmth.
***
VHS Heaven Rating: 8/10
Now and Then earns a solid 8 out of 10. While the adult framing device feels a bit underdeveloped compared to the vibrant 1970s storyline, the film's core strength – the portrayal of young female friendship by an exceptional young cast – is undeniable. Its authentic nostalgia, heartfelt script, perfect period details, and killer soundtrack make it a deeply comforting and rewatchable gem. It captured the specific magic and anxieties of girlhood in a way few films did at the time, and its resonance proves that some stories, like some friendships, truly stand the test of time.
It’s more than just a movie; it’s a feeling – like catching fireflies on a warm night or sharing a secret whispered under the covers. And isn't that exactly what we loved about finding treasures like this down at the video store?