Bootleg Betty
Saturday Matinee: Stella Starring Bette Midler
By Mister D
Feb 21, 2025
Bette Midler’s movie Stella (1990) is a drama directed by John Erman and produced by The Samuel Goldwyn Company, released by Touchstone Pictures. It’s the third adaptation of Olive Higgins Prouty’s 1923 novel Stella Dallas, following a 1925 silent film and the 1937 Barbara Stanwyck classic. In this version, Midler plays Stella Claire, a spirited, working-class single mother who sacrifices everything to give her daughter, Jenny (Trini Alvarado), a better life. The film also stars John Goodman as Ed Munn, Stella’s loyal barfly friend, Stephen Collins as Stephen Dallas, Jenny’s wealthy father, and Marsha Mason as Janice, Stephen’s eventual wife. Supporting roles feature Eileen Brennan, Linda Hart, Ben Stiller, and William McNamara.
Plot Overview
Set in Watertown, New York, the story begins in 1969 when Stella, a feisty bartender, meets Stephen, a charming medical student from a higher social class. After a brief affair, Stella becomes pregnant and rejects Stephen’s half-hearted marriage proposal, choosing to raise Jenny alone with Ed’s support. Fiercely independent, Stella takes on various jobs—later selling cosmetics door-to-door—to provide for her daughter. As Jenny grows, Stephen reenters her life, offering a world of privilege Stella can’t match. Torn between her love for Jenny and her belief that Stephen’s wealth can offer a better future, Stella makes the ultimate sacrifice, letting Jenny go to live with her father and his new wife, Janice. The film ends with an emotional scene reminiscent of the earlier adaptations, where Stella watches Jenny from afar, bittersweetly accepting her choice.
Unlike the prior versions, Stella never marries Stephen, emphasizing her pride and independence—a notable shift from the source material.
Reviews
Stella received mixed reactions, with praise for Midler’s performance often tempered by criticism of the film’s dated melodrama. On Metacritic, it holds a 45% score based on 15 reviews, reflecting “mixed or average” reception. Rotten Tomatoes gives it a 50% rating, noting its “great big heart” but acknowledging its corniness.
- Roger Ebert (3½/4 stars) called it a “tearjerker” that works because of Midler and Alvarado’s vibrant portrayals. He praised Midler’s ability to infuse Stella with humor and resilience, avoiding self-pity, and highlighted the film’s refusal to treat its emotional beats as cliché.
- Janet Maslin (The New York Times) felt Midler was miscast—too old for the opening and too sharp for the resolution—but admired her exuberance in masking the story’s flaws, making it more charming than expected.
- Peter Rainer (Los Angeles Times) was harsher, questioning the remake’s necessity and arguing Midler misjudged her talents, leaning into a “sudsy weepie” that verged on camp. He found it “crazy without knowing it.”
- Rita Kempley (The Washington Post) saw it as a fall from Midler’s campy heights to “suds, sap, and pap,” though she acknowledged its watchability.
- Audience reviews on IMDb vary widely: fans laud its emotional depth and Midler’s “Oscar-worthy” turn, while detractors call it “dated” and “far-fetched,” with some bored by its pacing.
Commercially, Stella was a disappointment, grossing $20.2 million against a $19 million budget, a stark contrast to Midler’s prior hit, Beaches (1989). Critics and fans alike noted its old-fashioned narrative struggled in 1990’s cinematic landscape.
Fanfare
Despite its lukewarm reception, Stella has a loyal cult following, particularly among Midler fans who cherish its heartfelt mother-daughter story. It’s often cited as a “sleeper” hit on home video, with viewers moved by its tear-jerking moments—like the climactic scene at Tavern on the Green—echoing the iconic Stanwyck-in-the-rain moment from 1937. Fans on Amazon reviews call it a “beautiful tale” of sacrifice, with some rewatching it annually for its emotional resonance. Midler’s performance is a standout, often compared favorably to her work in The Rose and Beaches.
Trivia
- Casting Notes: John Candy was considered for Ed Munn but declined after Midler requested a screen test, reportedly exclaiming, “Who the [expletive] does she think she is?!” John Goodman stepped in, delivering an underrated performance.
- Differences from Earlier Versions: Stella remains unmarried, a departure from the novel and prior films where she weds Stephen. This change underscores her independence but alters the class dynamics central to the original story.
- Golden Globes Connection: Goodman announced Midler’s Best Actress win for For the Boys (1992) at the Golden Globes, a nod to their Stella camaraderie.
- Accent Work: Midler’s working-class accent reportedly required four dialect coaches, though some critics found it inconsistent.
- Behind-the-Scenes: Midler’s clout post-Beaches likely greenlit this passion project, though its failure cooled her streak of dramatic roles.
Quotes
- Stella Claire: “I read them women’s magazines, you know? The ones that tell you how to get a better life. They say, ‘Go in a new direction.’ I wanna say, ‘Where’s the door? I’ll go, but where’s the goddamn door?’” – This encapsulates Stella’s earthy wit and frustration with unattainable advice.
- Stella Claire: “I’m not gonna let nothing stand in the way of my Jenny.” – A poignant declaration of her sacrificial love.
- Stella Claire (to Janice): “They didn’t get out.” – Reflecting on class mobility after learning Janice’s sisters didn’t escape their poor roots, a quiet moment of solidarity.
Legacy
Stella remains a polarizing entry in Midler’s filmography—loved by some for its raw emotion, dismissed by others as melodramatic fluff. Its strength lies in Midler’s ability to elevate a creaky narrative, blending her stage persona’s sass with a tender vulnerability. For trivia buffs, it’s a snapshot of 1990s Hollywood remakes, and for fans, a hidden gem showcasing “The Divine Miss M” at her heartfelt best. If you’re curious, it’s a two-hanky watch—maybe three if you’re a parent.
