This week for Hit Me with Your Best Shot Nathaniel over at the Film Experience has picked a nostalgic film from the 80s that was a lot of fun to revisit- 1984’s Splash.
It might seem obvious given my love for Little Mermaid that I would also love Splash but the mermaid movie has to be good to gain my approval. However, despite both having mermaids the two films are very different and I like both.
The Little Mermaid is more about Ariel’s journey and less about her relationship with Eric (at least to me). Splash is more about how Eric would have responded if Ariel had just kissed him the moment she first saw him!
As I was watching Splash I couldn’t help but think about the remake that is planned with Channing Tatum as the mermaid and Jillian Bell in the Tom Hanks role. I am very curious to see how this goes down because not many movies do you have a man being as aggressive in pursuing a partner as Daryl Hannah is with Tom Hanks in the original Splash.
In fact, even in the original film I don’t think it would have worked if the two performers weren’t so likable and had such good chemistry. We need to instantly accept them as a couple. We need to believe that he would propose in the 6 day time frame she has. We need to buy her openness and his falling for her head over heels.
So for my best shot I picked a moment which exemplifies why Splash works. Madison has just bought Allen a giant water fountain (never mind how she got it into the apartment. It works…). He asks her why she did this and she says ‘because I love you’. He hesitates and says “I love this present” and then he can’t help himself saying “and I love you”. Then they kiss.
If I didn’t believe these two people this scene would be so groan inducing but I do so I like it. That’s why this has to be the best shot. It’s a girl giving a guy a giant water fountain in his apartment and yet I love it!!
PS. This may be the last episode of Hit Me with Your Best Shot as Nathaniel is considering stopping the series and this is the last of the season. I just want to thank him for encouraging me to see many movies like Safe and The Red Shoes. I understand if he decides to cancel the series but it has been a great experience participating when I could.
Did you know that one of the reasons Ariel was made a redhead was so she wouldn’t look like Daryl Hannah?
I didnt know that. Cool!
I haven’t seen this film in decades, but I have fond memories of this film. Interesting side note in Tom Hanks career: this would have been his feature film debut had it not been for a very minor role in “He Knows You’re Alone”, a poorly reviewed slasher film from 1980 that came out in the wake of the success of Halloween.
Ha! I didnt know that. Pretty impressive debut or near debut
I loved this movie when I was a kid. I just rewatched it. I love it even more now! Their chemistry is the best part. They are also simply so kind to one another. I’m hoping to introduce a new generation, in this case, my daughter, to what real love looks like.