Stella (1990) — Matinee Minutiae

Matinee Minutia: Stella (1990) - The Divine Ms. M.'s Selfless Motherhood Episode 804: Show Notes

This week, DJ and Matt travel back to a world of cargo pants, Aquanet, and dial-up—1990! Before diving into Bette Midler’s heartbreaking turn as a single mom, the duo catches up on Lula May's questionable Thanksgiving invitation and Cooter Jack’s latest shenanigans in the basement. Once the VCR stops blinking, the focus turns to the 1990 remake of Stella, exploring the class divide, a mother's ultimate sacrifice, and the enduring power of Bette Midler's talent.

Key Segments

[00:00:02] Welcome & Trailer Park Thanksgiving: Fall banter, dealing with leaves6. The high-stakes invitation to Lula May's for a possibly hunted turkey.
[00:02:45] Trapped in Time: The Year is 1990: World events like the release of Nelson Mandela, the start of the Gulf War, German reunification, and the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope8. Notable figures passing away, including Greta Garbo and Sammy Davis Jr.9.
[00:04:15] The Movie Lineup: Discussing the big hits of the time: Home Alone, Ghost, and Dances with Wolves10101010. The selection of the feature film: Stella.
[00:07:21] Feature Film Discussion: Stella (1990): The plot, starring Bette Midler as Stella Claire 1212, a feisty, independent working-class woman 13131313who has a child with the upper-class Dr. Stephen Dallas (Stephen Collins)14141414.
[00:11:14] Setting the Scene: Watertown, NY in the Late 60s: Discussing the film's setting as a working-class "bedroom community" 15and how the 1990 remake addressed modern issues like the availability of the birth control pill and a woman’s reproductive choices.
[00:14:01] The Class Divide and Sacrifice: Stella's realization that her world is not enough for her daughter, Jenny17. Frustration over Stella repeatedly turning down financial help from the wealthy father.
[00:20:21] Director Spotlight: John Ehrman: Highlighting his extensive career in American television, including episodes of Star Trek, The Outer Limits 19, and winning an award for directing the miniseries Roots.
[00:23:00] Star Spotlight: Bette Midler: Celebrating the Divine Ms. M. 21, an EGOT winner 2222, and her early career roots in the gay community23. Career highlights include The Rose 24, Beaches 25252525, Hocus Pocus 26, and The First Wives Club27272727.
[00:33:14] The Embarrassing Florida Trip: The climactic scene where Stella's vibrant, "Carmen Miranda-esque" style 28clashes with the muted colors of Jenny's wealthy friends 29, causing Jenny immense embarrassment30.
[00:37:34] The Birthday Party Disaster & Eileen Brennan: Stella and best friend Ed Munn (John Goodman) 31are arrested after a bar fight, witnessed by the judgmental PTA head, Mrs. Wilkerson (Eileen Brennan)32. This leads to the ultimate humiliation: no one showing up to Jenny's 16th birthday party33.
[01:23:16] Supporting Cameos: Spotlighting Ben Stiller as the "bad boy boyfriend" 34and his surprising love for Star Trek35.
[01:27:29] Stella in the Modern Era: Reimagining a contemporary remake, where Ed Munn (John Goodman's character) is positioned as the classic "nice guy" trope 36and would ideally get sober.

Best Quotes

"Apparently we are invited to the trailer for Thanksgiving this year."
"Most people who know Lula Mae know you don't want to [touch this]
"The film you're watching today is Stella, about a feisty working class single mother played by Bette Midler, who sacrifices her relationship with her child so she can grow up having a better life..."
"But Stella was released in 1990, directed by John Ehrman, and as you heard, stars Bette Midler as Stella Claire."
(On the Florida trip wardrobe) "It's almost as if everyone else is being dressed by Martha Stewart. And Bette Midler has gone to Gloria Estefan's wardrobe."