Now and Then

Now and Then is a heartwarming, coming-of-age film that explores the profound and pivotal summer of 1970, crystallized from the perspective of four pre-teen girls. Their stories and self-discoveries during this unforgettable season shape their identities, leading to a shared bond of friendship that endures the trials and triumphs of adulthood.

Directed by Lesli Linka Glatter and released in 1995, the film navigates the intersection of past and present, youth and maturity, and innocence and experience. It showcases an ensemble cast that includes Christina Ricci, Demi Moore, Rosie O'Donnell and other notable actors who vividly bring the nuanced characters to life.

Now and Then weaves its story in the fictional town of Shelby, Indiana. It centers around four lifelong friends: Samantha Albertson, a budding writer; Roberta Martin, a tomboy with a fiery spirit; Chrissy DeWitt, a naïve girl with a sheltered upbringing; and Teeny Terrell, an starry-eyed girl seeking fame. The movie opens in the present, when the friends reunite in their hometown as adults after many years apart. This gathering prompts them to reflect on a shared memory of an unforgettable 1970's summer that altered their lives.

Christina Ricci portrays young Roberta, with Rosie O'Donnell effortlessly transitioning into Roberta's adult-self. Ricci encapsulates the daredevil spirit and headstrong demeanor of Roberta, a girl who, beneath her toughness, grapples with a personal loss. O'Donnell, on the other hand, skilfully portrays the mature, grounded, and caring doctor that Roberta becomes.

Gaby Hoffmann and Demi Moore portray Samantha as her young and adult versions, respectively. Samantha is a girl wrestling with her understanding of life amidst her parents' impending divorce. Moore, as the adult Samantha, brilliantly captures the complexity of a successful, yet restless and discontented science-fiction author searching for some semblance of peace.

Thora Birch and Melanie Griffith depict the character arc of Teeny - Thora portraying the young Teeny, with dreams larger than life. Griffith transitions seamlessly into the adult Teeny, as she ascends into a glamorous Hollywood actress, embodying the glitz and the loneliness that come with fame.

Ashleigh Aston Moore and Rita Wilson respectively play Chrissy, a girl raised in a conservative family, struggling with the boundaries placed on her by her mother's over protectiveness. Wilson, as the adult Chrissy, portrays a woman who finds roost in her childhood town, embracing both motherhood and the world through her innocent, rose-colored glasses.

The film executes a smooth narrative transition between the past and present, employing well-plotted flashbacks to glorify moments and crystallizing the quintessential 1970s American summers – treehouses, bicycle rides, sleepovers, and the inevitable encounter with the enigma of puberty. Each character's personal journey is painted vividly, producing a film that functions on multiple emotional levels.

Devon Sawa's portrayal as Scott Wormer, the troubling yet intriguing boy from the wrong side of the tracks, adds an edgy layer to the storyline, contributing to the dynamics of an adolescent summer filled with friendship, first-loves, ghost stories, and adventure.

The film gives nostalgia a cinematic embrace, particularly through its soundtrack. The tunes of the 70s, such as "Knock Three Times" by Tony Orlando and Dawn, and "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" by Diana Ross and the Supremes, amplify the emotional intensity of the narrative and transport audiences back in time.

The cinematography by Ueli Steiger deserves a mention, as shots are composed with such ingenuity that it renders the audience with a sense of immersion into the 1970s. Moreover, the film's witty dialogues, authentic costume design, and detailed set design further embellish the narrative authenticity.

Now and Then is a testament to the enduring power of women's friendships, the bond of shared history, and the triumphs of personal journeys. It nudges the viewer to reflect on their own friendships and journeys while surrendering themselves to bouts of uncontrollable laughter and moments of poignant reflection. It is not just a celebration of growing up, but a tribute to those ties of friendship that transcend time and tide.