Splash (4½ Stars)

This 1986 film is a modern day fairy tale. It has something for all the family, so it's become a film that's often been shown on television for the last 25 years. All my readers must have seen it unless they've been living in an Amish community till now.

The plot is simple. An 8-year-old boy falls off a boat and is rescued by a mermaid. 20 years later he falls into the sea again, and he's rescued by the same mermaid. They fall in love, and after a few problems they live happily ever after. It's a lovely story that can touch the hearts of adults and children alike.

This was one of the first films for both Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah, and the first leading role for both of them. That's where the similarity ends. Tom Hanks has gone on to become one of the world's most successful actors. Daryl Hannah has starred in many films since then, but "Splash" is still the biggest film of her career, and she's a relatively unknown actress. She played an important role in "Kill Bill" in 2003, but I doubt many cinemagoers took notice or even remember her name. She seems destined to obscurity.