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Bette Midler, John Goodman, Trini Alvarado, Stephen Collins, Marsha Mason ... see more see more... , Eileen Brennan , Linda Hart , Philip Akin , Philip Astor , John Bell , George Buza , Matthew Cowles , Eve Crawford , Glynis Davies , Tedd Dillon , Jane Dingle , Jayne Eastwood , Megan Gallivan , Bob Gerchen , Charles Gray , Christian Hoover , Elva Mai Hoover , Eric Keenleyside , Ken Kimmins , John Kozak , Terrence Langevin , Elizabeth Lennie , Justin Louis , Todd Louiso , Peter MacNeill , Sam Malkin , Rob McClure , William McNamara , Jeff Nichols , Ashley Peldon , Alisan Porter , Jayne Rager , Catherine Robbin , Rex Robbins , Willie Rosario , James Shannon , Ron White , Dwayne McLean , Ben Stiller , Michael Hogan

Bette Midler stars as Stella Claire, a working-class, fun-loving barmaid in northern New York State. A brief affair with handsome Stephen Dallas (Stephen Collins) produces a daughter, Jenny (Trini Alv... read more read more...arado), whom Stella insists upon raising alone, despite Dallas' marriage offer. As the years pass, Stella and Jenny are a happy pair. Stella gives up bartending to sell cosmetics, supported by her friend Ed (John Goodman), a bartender developing a crush on her and a problem with alcohol. Dallas has stayed involved with his beloved daughter from afar and is now a urologist in New York City, engaged to a book editor (Marsha Mason). As Jenny reaches adulthood, Stella becomes aware that life with her father would provide her daughter with opportunities that she'd never have otherwise, so she devises a painful, self-sacrificing scheme to drive Jenny from the nest. Although functional as a tearjerker, many of the themes in Stella simply don't make as much sense in a modern age of healthy, fractured families, muting the drama of the tale's earlier versions, specifically Stella Dallas (1937). ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

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70% liked it

5,834 ratings

PG-13, 1 hr. 49 min.

Directed by: John Erman

Release Date: February 2, 1990

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DVD Release Date: April 8, 2003

Stats: 187 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (187)

  • jjnxn
    April 15, 2008
    jjnxn
    Stick with the Barbara Stanwyck original
  • YosemiteSamFan
    August 11, 2007
    YosemiteSamFan
    A painful mother-daughter film. Lots of raw emotions. With the pain comes some warmth.
  • ileo
    December 26, 2007
    ileo
    A great movie!
  • Parannoyed
    September 22, 2007
    Parannoyed
    Such a simple movie yet so powerful! I don't wanna be mushy and sappy here but yeah. I totally had to shed a few tears for Bette Midler, but it was so worth it because cute movies like these aren't abundant and ESPECIALLY cute mothers like Stella. For the sentimentals and lovers ... read moreat heart. (geez im practically on the verge of crying just by reminiscing the most ardent scenes... see!!! SEE??!! This is Awesome!!)
  • mikeylovesgregg
    August 22, 2008
    mikeylovesgregg
    A remarkable remake, with a great turn from Midler. Critics ripped it to shreds. Be that as it may, it is very sincere & heartfelt...
  • lurio031991
    July 15, 2007
    lurio031991
    My mom and I love this movie. She could relate to stella as a single mother wanting her child to have the best. and now i can relate too
  • FknSpankMyAzz
    March 11, 2007
    FknSpankMyAzz
    My fav of all time movies. I dunno why but I just love this flick. Bette seems to try to forget doin this one she didnt care for it but its good.
  • movieloverforlife
    February 27, 2007
    movieloverforlife
    A very heartwarming story about what a mother would do for her child. Bette Miller was wonderful in this role. She is a joy to watch!

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Critic Reviews

March 26, 2009
Variety

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Janet Maslin
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times

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Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

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Rita Kempley
January 1, 2000
Rita Kempley, Washington Post

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February 2, 1990
Entertainment Weekly

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Emanuel Levy
June 30, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Derek Adams
June 24, 2006
Derek Adams, Time Out

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Moira MacDonald
December 31, 2003
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

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November 6, 2003
Deseret News, Salt Lake City

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May 24, 2003
Film4

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Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Stella Trivia

  • Marlon Brando delivers the famous line "Hey Stella" in this 1951 classic...  Answer »
  • He was the actor who seduced Stella (Angela Bassett) in "How Stella got her groove back"  Answer »
  • In what movie, Is there a skunk named Stella that makes herself look like a cat?  Answer »
  • In the movie 'Over the Hedge', what was the skunk's name?  Answer »
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