It's always a tricky proposition when someone sets out to remake a beloved movie. Whether it's a critically acclaimed TV series like Ben-Hur or a beloved action movie like RoboCop , catching lightning in a bottle twice is extremely difficult. But that's exactly what Lifetime's remake of "The Beach" is trying to do, so it's completely understandable if fans of the original 1988 film are worried. How can a TV movie reach the emotional heights of a beloved musical melodrama? Well, first of all, there are great actors. Lifetime pulled out all the stops with the cast of "On the Beach," which is an encouraging sign for fans.
Heck, the cast is fantastic, which should be an encouraging sign even if you 're not a fan of the original movie. If you don't know, here's a brief primer on what's to come: "The Beach" tells the story of two lifelong friends, Cecilia "CC" Bloom and Hilary Whitney, who have Met one day on the Atlantic City boardwalk. CC went on to become a famous singer and actress, while Hillary blossomed into a talented civil rights attorney. Although their friendship hit some bumps along the way, they always ended up being there for each other through life's happy milestones and tragic losses. They are truly the wind under each other's wings. (Excuse me while I grab my handkerchief.)
Here are the incredible actresses who broke our hearts in the 1988 original, and the actresses who will lead us through Lifetime's hopeful remake:
CC Bloom
Movie: Bette Midler
The icon has been a film actress, Broadway star and recording artist since the 1970s. She made her screen debut in 1979's "The Rose" and went on to star in films such as "Hocus Pocus," "Gypsy" and "The First Wives Club ." She has won four Golden Globe Awards, three Emmy Awards, three Grammy Awards and a Tony Award. She's just one Oscar away from the coveted "EGOT." She will return to Broadway this year in a revival of Hello, Dolly! 》
Life: Idina Menzel
You might know her as the evil witch Elphaba, you might know her as the ice queen Elsa, or you might know her as the performance artist Maureen...or you might know her as Adele Dazeem. But there's a good chance you know Idina Menzel, whether through her roles on stage (like " Wicked "), in movies (like "Frozen "), or both There are (such as " Lucky House Rent "). Her many other credits include the film "Enchanted ," a guest role on "Glee" and most recently the Broadway musical "If/Then." If anyone can take over Bette Midler's place of greatness, it's definitely Idina Menzel.
Hilary Whitney
Movie: Barbara Hershey
Hershey had a prolific career throughout the 1980s and 1990s, appearing in critically acclaimed dramas such as The Last Temptation of Christ (as Mary Magdalene), Hannah and Her Sisters ” (playing one of the titular siblings) and “Portrait of a Lady ” (a performance that earned her an Oscar nomination). Contemporary audiences may be more familiar with Hirsch as Natalie Portman's suffocating mother in "Black Swan ," Patrick Wilson's worried mother in the " Insidious" series, and Ray in "Once Upon a Time." Gina's evil mother.
Life: Nia Long
One of Lang's early works was the 1991 seminal classic film Boyz N The Hood . She went on to star in many 90s hits such as Made in America, Soul Food and The Best Man . Her television roles include a recurring role on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and a starring role on NBC's Third Watch . Her most recent works include Are We There Yet? ", "The Best Man Vacation," "Single Mom," "Club" and "Keanu" among other films.
young CC
Movie: Mayim Bialik
Did you know that the girl who plays young Bette Midler on "The Beach" is Amy from "The Big Bang Theory" ? heartbroken. After her performance as the precocious actor, the young Milik went on to star in her own NBC sitcom, Blossom , which ran for five seasons in the early '90s. Bialik went on to star in other shows including "The John Larroquette Show," "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "The Secret Life of the American Teenager," before landing a role on the CBS sitcom that eventually brought her Nominated for four Emmy Awards.
Life: Gabriella Pizzolo
Pizzola's resume may not be as long as Bialik's, but give her time. At only 13 years old, she has already appeared in two Broadway musicals: "Matilda" (starring) and "Fun Home" , playing the lead role of Alison Bechdel ), the real-life feminist cartoonist Alison Bechdel is depicted throughout the show. Three stages of her life.
young hillary
Movie: Marcy Leeds
Liz's other credits include a recurring role on the '80s CBS series Beauty and the Beast , and an episode of Parenthood — no, not NBC's recent reboot, but the 1989 Ron Howard movie A 1990 version produced immediately after its success.
Life: Grace Shawl
The young actress has been linked to three cast members of "The Beach" : She also starred in Broadway's "Matilda" with Pizzolo, and she starred alongside Menzel in the 2015 short " Frozen" Singing with a children's choir in...More on the third connection later. (In addition to "Matilda ," Capless has appeared on Broadway twice, in "A Christmas Story: The Musical" and "The Lion King." )
Leona Bloom
Movie: Leni Kazan
CC's overbearing stage mom is played by the Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated actress you might recognize from her roles in films like My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Don't Mess with the Zohan Get to know her for her roles in TV shows like Elsewhere and Desperate Housewives , or her roles in the Broadway musicals My Favorite Year and Funny Girls .
Lifetime: Jody Shawlless
Capless has experience as a stage mom: She's worked on Broadway as an actress and stage manager, and — as you might have guessed from her last name — she's the real-life mother of Grace Capless , where she is joined by Grace Caples in the role of stage mom. Young Hillary.
Victoria Essex
Movie: Grace Johnston
The youngster who played Hillary's daughter also had roles in the 1980s CBS drama "The Equalizer ," the classic sitcom "The Cosby Show," and the 1990s children's TV series "Ghostwriter." She's still acting to this day, most recently having a role in the beautifully titled Halloween Shop Zombie Wedding movie .
Life: Sanai Victoria
Despite her young age, Victoria (her character is now called "Tory" in the Lifetime remake) already has a number of credits under her belt, including Black-ish, Girl Meets World, and the upcoming horror anthology film XX , This is also worth noting. Directed entirely by up-and-coming female filmmakers.
Let this stellar cast tug at your heartstrings when Lifetime's Beaches premieres this Saturday, January 21st at 8:00 PM ET — just make sure you have tissues handy.
