Peggy Sue Got Married (1986)

My Review

“Peggy Sue Got Married” is a comedy-drama film about a woman who passes out at her twenty-fifth high school reunion in 1985, and wakes up in her senior year in 1960. She has a chance to review her life choices, including her failing marriage. An excellent performance by Kathleen Turner in the lead role earned her an Oscar nomination, with expert direction by Francis Ford Coppola (“The Godfather” 1972) and a sterling screenplay by Jerry Leichtling and Arlene Sarner.

The rest of the cast were excellent in supporting roles, with the exception of Nicolas Cage as Turner’s husband. He is an actor with a limited acting range, as he has demonstrated throughout his career. He only got this job because he is nephew of the director Coppola. Co-stars include Catherine Hicks, Barry Miller, Joan Allen, Kevin J. O’Connor, Don Murray, Jim Carrey, Helen Hunt, Maureen OSullivan, Will Shriner, John Carradine, Marshall Crenshaw, Sophia Coppola, and Leon Ames in his final film role. His first movie appearance was in 1931.

Besides the Oscar nomination for Turner, two other nods went to Best Costume Design and Best Cinematography (Jordan Cronenweth). “Peggy Sue Got Married” was successful in theatrical release for American Zoetrope, Delphi VI Productions, Rastar Productions, and TriStar Pictures. It was filmed in Petaluma and Santa Rosa, California.