9 ways “Beaches” fills our heart with female friendship wisdom
Female friendships are a meaningful and enriching part of life. When you find a fellow woman who just “gets” you, it’s a lot like finding a romantic partner. Truly great female friendships are supportive, challenging, and inspiring, and we love watching them form both IRL and on the screen.
One of our favorite female friendships takes place in the movie Beaches. Idina Menzel and Nia Long star as C.C. and Hillary, two women whose friendship spans a lifetime. The film is a testament to what women can accomplish together, and perfectly demonstrates countless reasons why having female friends is the best. Here are nine ways Beaches fills our heart with female friendship wisdom.
1. C.C. and Hillary love each other exactly as they are.
When C.C. and Hillary meet, they’re just two young girls who couldn’t be more different. C.C. is a loud and bubbly aspiring singer overflowing with personality, while Hillary is quieter and more conservative. Still, they have an instant bond and become fast friends.
2. They don’t dwell on their differences — they embrace them!
And they lift each other up in the process. Hillary wants nothing more than for C.C. to make it to Broadway, and C.C. wants to see Hillary thrive as a high-powered lawyer. Sure, they approach life differently, but their differences are actually what bring them closer together.
3. They’re there for each other through everything…
And we mean everything. Love, loss, joy, sadness, success, failure — C.C. and Hilary see each other’s highest highs and lowest lows. When things are great, they celebrate. And when things are tough, they help each other through.
4. …no matter how much time has passed.
When C.C. and Hillary need each other, it doesn’t matter if it’s been hours, days, or years. No matter where they are or what time it is, if one needs the other, they drop everything to be by their side. Because that’s what besties do.
5. C.C. and Hillary put their friendship above all else.
They might argue about a guy or get stuck in a love triangle, but in the end, C.C. and Hillary put each other first. Girls before guys. Ovaries before brovaries. Uteruses before duderuses. It’s a crucial part of the best friend code.
6. They challenge each other when they need it most.
Besties tell each other the truth, no matter how hard it is to hear. Do you think C.C. wants to tell Hillary she’s giving up on herself when she stops practicing law? Do you think Hillary enjoyed telling C.C. that she’s become too career-obsessed? No. But best friends want the best for you. They know you better than anybody — sometimes even better than you know yourself — and they aren’t afraid to deliver the important truths.
7. They aren’t afraid to ask for help.
Best friends lean on each other. When they need help, guidance, or assistance, they ask for it. They know that getting a little help from their BFF doesn’t make them weak — it makes them stronger.
8. They can admit when they’re wrong.
Despite being best friends, C.C. and Hillary have their jealous moments. But they own up to their feelings, apologize, and re-focus on maintaining a loving friendship.
9. C.C. and Hillary love each other unconditionally.
At the end of the day, no feud, boyfriend, or career choice can come between these two. And they have the decades-long friendship to prove it.
