Mermaids (1990) - Quotes

Embracing Unconventional Motherhood

Taglines: Mom Is Many Things...Normal Isn't One of Them.

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High School Aspirations and Sibling Banter

Charlotte: I want to stay!

Rachel: And do what?

Charlotte: Finish high school!

Rachel: Great start! What's your major, town tramp?

Charlotte: No, Mom, the town already has one.

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A Debate on Fishing Preferences

Joe: Do you want to bait your own hook or do you want me to do it?

Charlotte: [narrating] Mary, mother of God... he still wants to fish?

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Discussing Sex Education with Dr. Reynolds

Dr. Reynolds: [after examining Charlotte, who thinks she is pregnant after kissing Joe] Has your mother ever talked to you about sex?

Charlotte: [narrating] Please, God, I want to die.

Charlotte: Yeah, all the time.

Dr. Reynolds: So you do know how babies are conceived?

Charlotte: Oh, yeah. We talk about everything. She's a wonderful mother.

Dr. Reynolds: Then why did you think you were pregnant? You're still a virgin.

Charlotte: [narrating] I want to die now. Right now.

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Unconventional Fashion Choices and Friendships

Charlotte: [wearing heavy makeup] OK, how do I look?

Kate: Like someone drew all over you.

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Misunderstandings Over Food Allergies

Charlotte: What are you doing?

Kate: Sucking out the pimentos. They give me hernias.

Charlotte: You mean hives, fish-head.

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Age and Relationships in Perspective

Rachel: You know, Charlotte, I think you might be old enough for a boyfriend now.

Charlotte: If I'm old enough, maybe you're too old.

Rachel: Don't be ridiculous. A real woman is never too old.

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Contemplating Death and Ocean Burial

Kate: When I die, I want to be sprinkled in the ocean. I don't care if a whale eats me. I could live inside a whale like Jonah with an angel guard.

Rachel: Girls…

Charlotte: Yeah, well, what if you get a whale that doesn't have a living room inside him and you end up in someone's tuna fish sandwich?

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Curiosity About Innocence and Desire

Mother Superior: Yes, dear?

Charlotte: [narrating] I desperately wanted to ask her what color her bra was and if she had pure thoughts every second of the day, but…

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Mermaid Adventure Begins with a Departure

Rachel: [wearing a mermaid costume for the New Year's Eve party] All right, I can tell by my mermaid watch that it's time for me to get in my mermaid car and hit the mermaid road!

Kate: And get the mermaid outta here!

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Tension and Humor Among Friends

Charlotte: [narrating] Oh, God, please let Mrs. Flax control herself.

Lou Landsky: You're still a perfect seven, Reverend Mother. You know, most women's feet get bigger.

Rachel: Only if they marry.

Charlotte: [narrating] Oh, no!

Rachel: You know, your feet swell. When you get pregnant, your feet swell.

Charlotte: [narrating] How could she? How could she?

Rachel: I know mine got swollen when I was pregnant.

Charlotte: [whispering] Mother, how could you say that? She's a holy vessel!

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Driving Lessons and Life Skills

Rachel: Charlotte, you drive like old people make love.

Charlotte: Mom, I'm only 15. I get nervous.

Rachel: Driving happens to be one of the two most important skills a woman could have. You should be tickled pink that I taught you early.

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Defining Relationships and Shared Connections

Lou Landsky: If you care about us, would it kill you to show it?

Rachel: Us"? When did YOU and *my* children become "us"? You're just YOU, Lou - me and the girls, THAT'S "us”!

Lou Landsky: I was talking about you and me.

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A Bold Challenge to Authority

Kate Flax: [wanting a glass of wine] Hit me, Sergeant!

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Maturity Over Immaturity in Personal Behavior

Kate Flax: [to her sister] Act your age, not your shoe size.

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Cultural Identity in Mermaids Film

Rachel Flax: [Charlotte has a newfound obsession with Greek mythology] Charlotte, we're Jewish.

Guidance on Personal Choices and Freedom

Rachel Flax: [to Charlotte as she goes out to spend time with Joe; pause] Don't do anything I wouldn't do… Or don't do anything I would!

Acknowledging Cultural Identity in Mermaids

Rachel Flax: [Charlotte is praying at a shrine she has made in her room to the Virgin Mary] Charlotte, we're Jewish.

Embracing Change Over Dwelling on the Past

Rachel Flax: Death is dwelling on the past or staying in one place too long!

Casual Confession of Calmness

Rachel Flax: OK, I've had a little scotch...I'm real calm.

Desire Amidst Guilt and Grief

Charlotte Flax: Oh, I'm going to hell for sure. Here he is, talking about his poor dead mother and I can't help wishing his hands were unbuttoning my dress!

Curiosity about Convent Life and Underwear

Charlotte Flax: [narrating] So Joe, tell me about the nuns in the convent. Do they wear underwear in the shower? I don't believe I said that.

Disillusionment with Adult Responsibility

Charlotte Flax: [everyone in town is stricken by the news of President Kennedy's assassination] It feels like there isn't a single adult left on the entire planet.

Expecting a unique child with heritage

Charlotte Flax: I may be pregnant with the next Jewish-Italian Messiah!

Desire for Passionate Connection

Charlotte Flax: [narrating] Please, God, let him throw me on the ground and make another Joey Junior.

Commitment Issues with Cooking

Charlotte Flax: A word about Mrs. Flax and food: the word is "hors d'oeurves". "Fun Finger Foods" is her main source book and that's all the woman cooks. Anything more, she says, is too big a commitment.