Peggy Sue Got Married

Peggy Sue Got Married
Title	Peggy Sue Got Married
Director	Francis Ford Coppola
Producer	Paul R. Gurian
Writer	Jerry Leichtling, Arlene Sarner
Starring	Kathleen Turner, Nicolas Cage, Barry Miller, Catherine Hicks, Joan Allen, Kevin J. O'Connor, Jim Carrey
Music	John Barry
Cinematography	Jordan Cronenweth
Editing	Barry Malkin
Studio	Rastar
Distributor	Tri-Star Pictures
Released	10 October 1986
Runtime	103 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$18 million
Gross	$41.4 million

Peggy Sue Got Married is a 1986 American fantasy comedy-drama film directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The screenplay by Jerry Leichtling and Arlene Sarner follows a disillusioned woman who faints at her high school reunion and awakens in her teenage body in 1960, presented with a chance to reconsider her life choices. The film features an ensemble cast led by Kathleen Turner and explores themes of nostalgia, regret, and second chances against the backdrop of the early Baby Boom era.

Plot

While attending her 25-year high school reunion in 1985, Peggy Sue Bodell, estranged from her husband Charlie Bodell, is overwhelmed and faints. She regains consciousness in 1960, inhabiting her 17-year-old self with all her adult memories intact. Peggy Sue navigates the social dynamics of Liberty High School, re-encountering her future husband, the aspiring musician Charlie, her close friends Carol Heath and Richard Norvik, and her family, including her mother Evelyn Kelcher. She uses her foreknowledge to attempt to alter her future, questioning her relationship with Charlie and exploring a potential connection with the intellectually gifted Michael Fitzsimmons. The narrative culminates at the senior prom, where a pivotal moment forces Peggy Sue to confront the fundamental nature of her life's path before she returns to 1985 with a renewed perspective on her marriage and family.

Cast

Kathleen Turner portrays the titular Peggy Sue Bodell, with Nicolas Cage starring as her charismatic but unreliable husband, Charlie Bodell. Barry Miller plays Richard Norvik, Peggy Sue's nerdy friend who becomes a successful inventor. Catherine Hicks appears as Carol Heath, Peggy Sue's best friend. Joan Allen features as Maddy Nagle, Charlie's former girlfriend. Key supporting roles include Kevin J. O'Connor as Michael Fitzsimmons, the sensitive beatnik; Jim Carrey as Walter Getz, the class clown; Barbara Harris as Evelyn Kelcher, Peggy Sue's mother; and Don Murray as Jack Kelcher, her father. Sofia Coppola, the director's daughter, has a cameo as Nancy, Peggy Sue's younger sister.

Production

The project was developed by producers Paul R. Gurian and Burt Weissbourd, with the script workshopped at Robert Redford's Sundance Institute. Francis Ford Coppola took over directing duties after original director Jonathan Demme departed. Coppola cast Kathleen Turner following her success in Romancing the Stone, but the casting of Nicolas Cage (Coppola's nephew) was contentious; Cage adopted a distinctive, nasal vocal delivery for the role that initially concerned the studio, Tri-Star Pictures. Filming occurred primarily in Southern California, with locations in Costa Mesa and Whittier standing in for the film's suburban setting. The cinematography by Jordan Cronenweth utilized soft-focus techniques to create a nostalgic atmosphere, complemented by a score from composer John Barry.

Release

Peggy Sue Got Married premiered on October 10, 1986, distributed by Tri-Star Pictures. Its release placed it in competition with several major fall films, including David Lynch's *Blue Velvet* and Oliver Stone's *Platoon*. The marketing campaign emphasized the film's comedic and fantastical elements, leveraging Kathleen Turner's star power. It was later released on VHS and LaserDisc by RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video, and subsequently on DVD and Blu-ray through Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

Reception

The film received generally positive reviews from critics, with particular praise for Kathleen Turner's performance, which earned her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress. Francis Ford Coppola's direction and the screenplay were also commended for their poignant blend of humor and drama. However, some criticism was directed at Nicolas Cage's unconventional portrayal of Charlie. Commercially, the film was a moderate success, grossing approximately $41 million against an $18 million budget. It was nominated for three Academy Awards in total, including Best Cinematography for Jordan Cronenweth and Best Costume Design for Theadora Van Runkle.

Legacy

The film is regarded as a significant entry in the time-travel and nostalgia film genres of the 1980s, often discussed alongside works like Back to the Future and The Big Chill. Its exploration of midlife crisis and the idealized past of the early 1960s resonated with Baby boomers. The film is frequently noted for its influential costume design, which authentically captured the era's fashion. It also marked an early notable film role for Jim Carrey and is considered a highlight in the diverse filmography of Francis Ford Coppola, situated between his more ambitious projects like *The Cotton Club* and Gardens of Stone.

Category:1986 films Category:American fantasy comedy-drama films Category:Films directed by Francis Ford Coppola Category:Tri-Star Pictures films