‘Now And Then’ Should Have Passed On Present

Four young actresses have lots to say about what it feels like to be 12 years old in “Now and Then,” which is set mostly in the summer of 1970, when these four friends could tell one another everything. We also meet them 25 years later, when they reunite to celebrate the fact that they’ve turned out to be Demi Moore, Melanie Griffith, Rosie O’Donnell and Rita Wilson (the wife Tom Hanks weeps about in his Oscar speeches).

Gaby Hoffman and Thora Birch, playing girls who have parent issues, share two great scenes. In one, they sit on a roof, sneaking a longing look at “Love Story” playing at a neighboring drive-in. In the other, they discuss what “normal” is, and their simple, direct acting tears right to the heart of what it must feel like to watch your family fall apart. You sense that these young actresses have access to emotions you forgot you had.

Christina Ricci (“Casper”) also has good moments. Only Ashleigh Aston Moore, whose role is a cartoon version of a sheltered kid, rings false.

Periodically, “Now and Then” breaks out a supposedly dramatic twist, which is a shame. The small moments have a strong sense of what it’s like to live in a small town and to have a whole summer spread out before you with no plans. But the big twists are completely fake.

“Fake” is also the word for the contemporary scenes, which are blessedly brief. The four women whine about their breasts and their careers and all the stuff the people on “Sisters” can’t shut up about. You sit there thinking, “When did those terrific girls get so boring?” And also, “What this movie needs is more ‘Then’ and a lot less ‘Now.”’

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: “NOW AND THEN” Location: Lincoln Heights, Lyons and Coeur d’Alene cinemas Credits: Directed by Lesli Linka Glatter; starring Gaby Hoffman, Christina Ricci, Thora Birch, Ashleigh Aston Moore Running time: 1:36 Rating: PG-13