Peggy Sue Got Married

Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Writers: Jerry Leichtling, Arlene Sarner
Released: October 1986
Starring:  Kathleen Turner, Nicolas Cage, Barry Miller, Catherine Hicks, Jim Carrey
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I’ve watched Peggy Sue Got Married with Dad before, and I remember it being quite an enjoyable film.

I had forgotten about its existence until Kathleen Turner was on the television (as she’s now a singer) and I was absolutely transfixed by the way she spoke. Not only was the sound of her voice hypnotising and famously distinctive, but also the way she told stories.

It wasn’t long before they mentioned ‘Peggy Sue Got Married‘. I Googled her to find out which character she played, and couldn’t believe she was the Peggy Sue!

I immediately bought the film and we watched it on the weekend and how we laughed!

It’s about Peggy Sue (Kathleen Turner) who is going through a painful divorce with her high school sweetheart Charlie Bodell (Nicolas Cage). Reluctantly, she chooses to attend the 25-year high school reunion, but she becomes overwhelmed and faints.

She wakes up at high school 25 years earlier and she has the ability to change her future. Will she save future heart ache and avoid courting Charlie, knowing it ends in divorce? Even though that would mean she wouldn’t have children? It reminds me of Back to the Future I – both films begin in 1985 and their protagonists both go back in time to a high school dance.

Cage’s voice is hysterical in this film! (Is he putting that high-pitched voice on?)

Actually, I’ve just Googled it and Kathleen Turner spoke about her distaste for Nicolas Cage’s performance. Apparently he insisted on using that crazy voice for his character and wearing fake teeth: “Oh, that stupid voice of his and the fake teeth! Honestly, I cringe to think about it.”

(Kathleen Turner later got sued by Nicolas Cage by writing in her autobiography a comment that affected his personal and professional reputation. He won the libel suit in 2008.)

Nevertheless, this romantic comedy/drama is brilliant. We laughed a lot (not only at Cage’s expense) but also at the script.  Particularly the part where Peggy Sue gives budding musician Charlie a Beatles song to make him famous. But Charlie changes the lyrics and tells her it’s a good first try.

Charlie Bodell: Listen, I cut shop and I did some work on your song. You know, it’s not half bad for your first try. I changed all the “yeahs” to “oohs,” but listen to this:
“She loves you, ooh, ooh, ooh You love me, ooh, ooh, ooh”

There are a lot of funny bits and pieces, especially where Jim Carrey is concerned! He plays a small role of a high school student in the film. It was early in his career, but the classic Carrey-style acting steals the show.

I also love when Peggy Sue gets sassy with the teachers and says what everyone is too scared to say. Kathleen Turner is a brilliant actor!

Teacher: And what’s the meaning of this, Peggy Sue?
Peggy Sue: Mr. Snelgrove… I happen to know that in the future I will have no use for algebra. And I speak from experience.

It’s about all the things you take for granted when you’re younger, like being able to speak to your grandparents, something you’d wish to do after they’ve passed away.

Peggy Sue Got Married is also about not having a clue, and tumbling through life hoping for the best. It’s an easily relatable film because who wouldn’t want to return to high school as a confident and wise student making a better reputation for yourself? And, who wouldn’t want to go back in time to fix their mistakes?

However, it would be cool to have this film re-cut because there are a lot of flabby bits – typical of 1980s rom-coms I guess. And, the way Peggy Sue tries to get back to the 1980s from the 1960s with the help of her grandfather is strange…

It’s a shame that she doesn’t develop her relationships with the other characters that much too. They kind of pop in and out of the story when needed, but without much development. Particularly Richard Norvik (Kevin J. O’Connor) who helps her to figure out the science behind her time travel. But, it kind of goes nowhere.

Nevertheless, it’s a feel-good film, and is entertaining. It’s easy to watch and you’ll love it if you enjoy time travel.

Jodie’s rating: 6.5/10