It's the cult tearjerker that made generations sob. And now they're sobbing for a different reason.
Lifetime, the US network renowned for its sappy, campy TV movies featuring titles like The Husband She Met Online and Mother, May I Sleep With Danger, just revealed the trailer for their upcoming remake of Beaches, the 1988 drama starring Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey.
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Trailer: Beaches
The story of two friends from different backgrounds whose friendship spans more than 30 years through childhood, love, and tragedy.
For a movie so beloved that it probably sustained video shops on its own for years, you can guess the reaction.
Hardliners have been tweeting their trepidation over the remake, with one even looking to get the hashtag #NotMyCCBloom trending.
The remake, directed by indie icon Allison Anders, features Nia Long in Hershey's Hillary role, while Tony-winner and Frozen star Idina Menzel takes on Midler's flamboyant CeeCee.
Based on Iris Rainer Dart's 1985 novel, the film tracks the friendship of two women from their chance meeting as young girls under the boardwalk at Atlantic City, through troubled relationships, feuds and an illness that leaves Hillary on her deathbed.
Directed by Garry Marshall, who died in July, the film was a huge success upon its release, taking in over $US57 million ($76 million) at the US box office. It was largely buoyed by Midler's chart-topping karaoke fave, Wind Beneath My Wings, which won the actress a record of the year Grammy.
In Lifetime's new trailer, Menzel – best known for her Oscar-winning take on the ubiquitous Frozen anthem, Let It Go – takes a crack at the belter, and, well, people are quite unkind.
My god, the remake of 'Beaches' with Idina Menzel looks like an utter abomination, I can't wait. (via @corriechen)https://t.co/osElOM84Mq
— Benjamin Law (@mrbenjaminlaw) November 29, 2016
They are doing a remake of the movie Beaches. Is nothing sacred anymore?! No one can beat @BetteMidler This world has gone nuts. #Beaches
— Marne McLyman (@mjmirongirl) November 29, 2016
The fact that someone thought the overrated Idina Menzel could play a character originated by Bette Midler, just astounds me. #beachesremake
— Dana Ernest (@dana_ernie) November 29, 2016
Why Lifetime? Why? #NotMyCCBloom https://t.co/iEMUBJnueJ via @EW
— Kenny Tallier (@KennyTallier) November 30, 2016
Bette Midler, a prolific Tweeter currently preoccupied with Donald Trump zingers, was much kinder when the project was announced in August.
Can’t wait to see Idina Menzel as CC in Lifetime’s “Beaches!” DON’T
— Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) August 3, 2016
TELL ME THE ENDING!
The movie debuts in the US on January 21; a local premiere date has not yet been set.