Splash (VHS)

Do mermaids exist? After watching Splash, I sure hope so. This great little gem of the 80's brought mermaids into the mainstream.

Now, it is by no means good. Tom Hanks evidently wasn't much of an actor back then. Darryl Hannah? I don't think so. Not only is she a terrible actress, but, and I know this is going to be disputed by many, I find her to be totally unacttractive. John Candy is THE 80s actor and was by far the best one in the cast. However, he was given a dinky little part and wasn't allowed much room. Eugene Levy was made for the role he had, not much to say.

The writing is mediocre. I'm sure everyone did all that they could to deal with it, but a lemon, no matter how spiced up, is still a lemon.

So it has bad actors and mediocre writing. So why doesn't this movie die like nearly every other "B" movie of the 80's? It's simple; the others don't portray mermaids in such a sensual but still "PG" way. This movie possesses an interest to a wide audience. It's understandable by children, funny, romantic, and sexy, all without being too saturated.

Mermaids are beautiful creatures. They hold interest to the child, who sees them as motherly and safe. They hold interest to the adolescent (male or female), who see her subconciously as a representation of their budding sexuality. The teenager sees them as a conduit (no ideas) for their sexuality, because of the water. The adult sees them as a representation of their own fantasys.

Sorry for the little side note. My point is that Splash somehow manages to be all of those at once.

Splash is stupid. If the same plot had centered around say a Centaur, the movie would have been forgotten years ago. But the simple concept of mermaids will keep it forever in the hearts of those who see it.