Strong and Moving!

Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

Unshakable, witty and deeply felt, the film will be paying emotional dividends for a long, long time.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Some movies are just fun or try to be anyway. There was no big statement attempting to be made with Jeff Kanew's 1989 film Troop Beverly Hills, and that's OK. Sometimes there doesn't need to be a powerful message driving a film into the hearts of audiences; occasionally, a lighthearted fun film will do that all on its own. Shelley Long and Craig T. Nelson join as a separated married couple attempting to overcome their own problems while Long goes out on a limb leaving high society life to mentor her daughter's wilderness girls group. Although the message is quiet, subtle, and a bit cliché, it rings out that true love conquers all, even a weekend without a credit card. Phyllis Nefler (Shelley Long) reeling from a broken heart due to the impending divorce with her husband Freddy (Craig T. Nelson) decides to be a troop leader for her daughter's wilderness girls Troop Beverly Hills. The Beverly Hills troop is oft-mocked for their glamorous tastes and apprehensions with the outdoors. The troop is made up of daughters of lawyers, actors, and self-absorbed travelers. Phyllis is able to be there for the girls who would otherwise be neglected, and the girls are there for Phyllis who would otherwise be moping about feeling sorry for herself all through her divorce. The comradery built between the girls and Phyllis allow them to band together and overcome the overbearing district leader Velda Plendor (Betty Thomas). The militant Velda believes Troop Beverly Hills should be disbanded in favor of the rough and tumble wilderness girls which make up the rest of the troops. When Velda sends her troop to sabotage Troop Beverly Hills, it is up to the Beverly Hills girls to prove they belong and to prove what true wilderness girls are. Troop Beverly Hills is a quintessential cliché-ridden 1980's film. I had already mostly checked out of this film, but it completely lost me when, in an especially depressed state, Phyllis started binging on bottled water. It was Evian, of course, because clearly they made money off this picture, as the brand was displayed prominently throughout the film. The story of a self-centered mother who finally put her daughter first, was nothing special, especially among the sea of other clichéd Beverly Hills parents who equally neglected their children. The mother/daughter relationship was underdeveloped and unmemorable. You won't miss out by ignoring this movie.

In Beverly Hills, Phyllis (Shelley Long) has a blackbelt in shopping and a gloriously posh mansion. Unfortunately, her estranged husband, Freddy (Craig T. Nelson), who is a wealthy muffler franchise owner, has moved into the guest house in the backyard and has filed for divorce. When pressed, he says its because Phyllis spends to much time and money on frivolous things. Yet, long ago, Phyllis worked to support her husband through law school and was his every desire. So, is there still a spark? Its not certain. Also at this moment, their daughter Hannah's Wilderness Girls troop needs a leader and Phyllis volunteers. Right away, she manages to offend one of the Girls district commanders, Velda (Betty Thomas), who gets upset when Phyllis turns a rained-on campout into a slumber party at a swanky hotel. More trouble arrives when Phyllis invents new "patches" for her girls to earn, like jewelry appraisal and "sixties dancing". But, the troop is a quick study. In the annual cookie sales, Phyllis and the girls sell more than 3,000 boxes, due to creative techniques. Velda's daughter's troop finishes second, much to the leader's chagrin. Therefore, at the upcoming wilderness survival competition, out in the woods, Velda vows revenge on Troop BH. Can she carry her bad-hearted plans to fruition? This film still leaves em laughing, even though it will never win any awards. Long has one of her best movie roles ever as the shopaholic, trend-setting housewife from 90210 while Nelson, Thomas, Mary Gross and all of the other cast members do nice work, too. Look for Carla Gugino and Kellie Martin as two of the troop's girls! Also wonderful is the tongue-in-cheek script which pokes fun at the lifestyles of the rich and famous while showing their glories at the same time. Naturally, the sets, costumes, and photography are quite lovely. The ever-moving, comic direction completes this fun little flick. Are you having a bad day? Snag this little movie and you will giggle away the blues.

This movie was excellent from start to finish. I enjoy watching old movies on TV and this was no exception. It caught my attention as soon as I read the movie description. Shelly long and her daughter lives in posh Beverly hills and she is the ultimate fashionista. She wanted to prove to her daughter that she knew more about life than jewels and clothes. She became mother of the wilderness girls troop which her daughter was a part of and led them to the finish line proving to her daughter all along the way that she was no quitter. Having had some fierce competition she was still able to beat them sending the other leader into a frenzy. This movie is perfect for little girl troopers who enjoy movies like Polyanna and Annie etc. I absolutely loved it and thought it was brilliant.

Family fare for an entertaining evening at home. The problem of divorce is posed in this film without detracting from the value of marriage. Shelley Long portrays a bored Beverly Hills wife whose husband is leaving her for another woman. Deciding to make something of her life she volunteers to be the leader for her daughter's "wilderness girls" troop (I guess they couldn't get the rights to girl scouts). Shelley Long is a hoot as she tries to make it through a camp-out without getting her nails ruined. Both her and her troop of pampered Beverly Hills princesses learn valuable lessons in character, courage, and friendship with a super happy ending (no spoiler). Great mother-daughter movie.