Some movies are just fun or try to be anyway. There was no big statement attempting to be made with Jeff Kanew's 1989 film Troop Beverly Hills, and that's OK. Sometimes there doesn't need to be a powerful message driving a film into the hearts of audiences; occasionally, a lighthearted fun film will do that all on its own. Shelley Long and Craig T. Nelson join as a separated married couple attempting to overcome their own problems while Long goes out on a limb leaving high society life to mentor her daughter's wilderness girls group. Although the message is quiet, subtle, and a bit cliché, it rings out that true love conquers all, even a weekend without a credit card.
Phyllis Nefler (Shelley Long) reeling from a broken heart due to the impending divorce with her husband Freddy (Craig T. Nelson) decides to be a troop leader for her daughter's wilderness girls Troop Beverly Hills. The Beverly Hills troop is oft-mocked for their glamorous tastes and apprehensions with the outdoors. The troop is made up of daughters of lawyers, actors, and self-absorbed travelers. Phyllis is able to be there for the girls who would otherwise be neglected, and the girls are there for Phyllis who would otherwise be moping about feeling sorry for herself all through her divorce. The comradery built between the girls and Phyllis allow them to band together and overcome the overbearing district leader Velda Plendor (Betty Thomas). The militant Velda believes Troop Beverly Hills should be disbanded in favor of the rough and tumble wilderness girls which make up the rest of the troops. When Velda sends her troop to sabotage Troop Beverly Hills, it is up to the Beverly Hills girls to prove they belong and to prove what true wilderness girls are.
Troop Beverly Hills is a quintessential cliché-ridden 1980's film. I had already mostly checked out of this film, but it completely lost me when, in an especially depressed state, Phyllis started binging on bottled water. It was Evian, of course, because clearly they made money off this picture, as the brand was displayed prominently throughout the film. The story of a self-centered mother who finally put her daughter first, was nothing special, especially among the sea of other clichéd Beverly Hills parents who equally neglected their children. The mother/daughter relationship was underdeveloped and unmemorable. You won't miss out by ignoring this movie.
Phyllis Nefler (Shelley Long) reeling from a broken heart due to the impending divorce with her husband Freddy (Craig T. Nelson) decides to be a troop leader for her daughter's wilderness girls Troop Beverly Hills. The Beverly Hills troop is oft-mocked for their glamorous tastes and apprehensions with the outdoors. The troop is made up of daughters of lawyers, actors, and self-absorbed travelers. Phyllis is able to be there for the girls who would otherwise be neglected, and the girls are there for Phyllis who would otherwise be moping about feeling sorry for herself all through her divorce. The comradery built between the girls and Phyllis allow them to band together and overcome the overbearing district leader Velda Plendor (Betty Thomas). The militant Velda believes Troop Beverly Hills should be disbanded in favor of the rough and tumble wilderness girls which make up the rest of the troops. When Velda sends her troop to sabotage Troop Beverly Hills, it is up to the Beverly Hills girls to prove they belong and to prove what true wilderness girls are.
Troop Beverly Hills is a quintessential cliché-ridden 1980's film. I had already mostly checked out of this film, but it completely lost me when, in an especially depressed state, Phyllis started binging on bottled water. It was Evian, of course, because clearly they made money off this picture, as the brand was displayed prominently throughout the film. The story of a self-centered mother who finally put her daughter first, was nothing special, especially among the sea of other clichéd Beverly Hills parents who equally neglected their children. The mother/daughter relationship was underdeveloped and unmemorable. You won't miss out by ignoring this movie.