Overview

Now and Then is a 1995 coming-of-age comedy-drama that follows four women who reunite in 1991 and remember a single, pivotal summer from 1970. The film alternates between the two time periods, juxtaposing the girls' childhood adventures and losses with the women's adult lives and reflections. It blends humor and sentiment to explore friendship, memory and the ways moments from youth shape later identities.

Plot summary

The narrative centers on a reunion of long-time friends who gather and recall events from a summer that profoundly affected each of them. The present-day storyline frames a series of flashbacks in which the young girls encounter first loves, family tensions and a central mystery that bonds them together. The two-era structure emphasizes continuity of character and the differing perspectives that come with maturity.

Cast and characters

The film employs an ensemble cast, pairing adult performers with younger counterparts to depict each character at two stages of life. Among the principal performers are Demi Moore, who appears as one of the adult friends, supported by a group of well-known actresses in the ensemble. Younger versions of the characters are played by rising actresses of the time, including Christina Ricci and Thora Birch, while adult roles include performers such as Rosie O'Donnell and Melanie Griffith. Lolita Davidovich appears in a supporting role as the mother of one of the central girls.

  • Samantha Albertson — central figure in the group, portrayed in both childhood and adulthood.
  • Roberta Martin — thoughtful and often reserved, her past experiences inform her adult life.
  • Tina "Teeny" Tercell — a friend whose family circumstances and coming-of-age moments are focal to the story.

Themes and style

Now and Then fits within the coming-of-age tradition, emphasizing friendship, loss, identity and the bittersweet nature of recollection. Its tonal mix of comedy and drama seeks to capture both the small pleasures of growing up and more difficult subjects such as grief and betrayal. The period detail and soundtrack choices evoke the late 1960s and early 1970s, reinforcing nostalgia while contrasting with the characters' adult perspectives in the early 1990s.

Reception and legacy

Released in October 1995, the film received mixed to negative reviews from many contemporary critics, who cited an uneven balance between its lighter and heavier elements. Over time, however, Now and Then attracted an appreciative audience, particularly among viewers drawn to its nostalgic tone and its focus on female friendship. It is often referenced as a cultural example of 1990s nostalgia and remains a film with a devoted following on home video and television broadcasts.

Notable facts

The production is notable for its ensemble casting and for its use of parallel timelines to tell a single life story across decades. Viewers and commentators frequently highlight the film's period atmosphere and emotional emphasis on shared memory. For more information about the principal performers and their broader careers, see pages for Demi Moore, Christina Ricci, Rosie O'Donnell, Thora Birch, and Melanie Griffith.