Why Roberta and Chrissy Should Have Been Endgame in Now and Then!

by

The movie “Now and Then” from the ’90s, which seems to have fallen out of popular conversation, was often compared to “Stand By Me” for its portrayal of female friendships. Set in 1970, the film follows four teenage girls who vow to remain friends throughout their lives, even as they grow up during the ’90s.

For years, I’ve kept a keen interest in the unique friendship of Roberta and Chrissy, who are polar opposites but complement each other beautifully. However, upon revisiting the comedy-drama, I can’t help but feel a lingering disappointment that these characters didn’t share a romantic relationship as adults despite their strong bond.

The Original Script Intended For Roberta To Be Gay

In 2023, on the talk show “Now What? With Brooke Shields,” Rosie O’Donnell, who portrayed older Roberta, revealed that her character’s lesbian identity was initially excluded from the film “Now and Then.” She openly discussed a producer (later clarified by a representative to People magazine that she meant New Line Cinema, the studio) who, upon viewing the movie, allegedly wanted to remove “every small detail” added by O’Donnell to make her character more authentic as a gay woman. It’s regrettable that such apprehension, if true, was present within the studio. The film being a tale of adolescence, it would have been groundbreaking and empowering to depict a young queer character in the ’70s and later as an adult in the ’90s, exploring her sexuality during a time when coming out wasn’t widespread.

The actress who played Harriet in the movie also admitted that Now and Then was released during an era when significant LGBTQ+ characters on TV were scarce, such as those seen in Will & Grace or Ellen DeGeneres coming out. Although O’Donnell didn’t expressly confirm that Roberta and Chrissy were intended to be endgame, it could have been a powerful moment if Roberta had been given the chance to explore her sexuality, particularly if she began to harbor feelings for her best friend.

Roberta And Chrissy Looked Out For Each Other More Than Their Other Friends

In the heartwarming film about female friendship, it was evident that Roberta and Chrissy shared a stronger bond compared to Samantha and Teeny. Notably, Roberta consistently stepped up for Chrissy in times of need, whether shielding her from The Wormers’ jello balloons or attempting to remove bird droppings from her hair when others merely chuckled.

In that particular scene, what truly solidified my belief in Roberta and Chrissy’s relationship was when Roberta feigned drowning in the pond, with only Chrissy showing the courage to administer mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. While Samantha and Teeny perceived Roberta’s acting as a sign of her not being prompt in performing CPR on their friend, Chrissy interpreted it as a moment of anger and pain, suggesting Roberta was pretending to be dead. After Roberta apologized to Chrissy, the uneasy glances exchanged between them hinted at a possible deeper connection that may have unfolded if their friends hadn’t intervened.

Chrissy Wanted To Get Married To A Doctor, Which Roberta Ended Up Being

As the story of Now and Then progresses into its third act, Chrissy and her friends pledged to stand by each other no matter what, such as if one of them moved to Hollywood or got married to a wealthy doctor. However, an unexpected twist unfolds: Roberta became a gynecologist and delivered Chrissy’s child in the future. Regrettably, Roberta was not the one who eventually married Chrissy. Instead, it is Morton, the boy with glasses who had a crush on Chrissy back in 1970, that she ended up marrying. Meanwhile, Roberta maintains a relationship that society might view as morally questionable with her partner. These unconventional relationships leave me feeling uneasy.

If the movie had unexpectedly shown that Dr. Chrissy’s long-imagined spouse turned out to be her best friend Roberta, it would have made for a heartwarming twist. Having Roberta deliver their baby together would have added a touch of romance and made for a charming ending. The tender moment between them after the delivery, where they both silently expressed their love by mouthing “I love you,” would have been particularly endearing.

Their Differing Personalities Could Have Balanced Each Other Out

In stark contrast to one another, Roberta exhibited a more rugged demeanor, frequently using strong language, engaging in sports, and showing no fear when it came to conflicts. Chrissy, however, embodied a more feminine persona, disapproved of profanity, and was far removed from the athletic sphere.

Although Roberta and Chrissy have distinct personalities, they could have fostered growth in each other had they formed a partnership. Roberta might have motivated Chrissy to venture beyond her comfort zone, while Chrissy would have encouraged Roberta to express her softer qualities more. When contrasting traits unite and create a life together, it can lead to something quite beautiful.

A Same-Sex Pairing Would Have Embraced Queerness In The ‘90s

As a devoted cinephile, I can’t help but reflect on some ’90s films that tackled LGBTQ+ themes, yet fell short in their portrayal. Movies like “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” and “The Crying Game” used transgender revelations as unexpected twists, often resulting in characters reacting with shock, even vomiting – a depiction that feels far from authentic. Similarly, films such as “Clueless” and “My Best Friend’s Wedding” introduced charming gay male characters in supporting roles, but they were unfortunately stereotyped and lacked the depth of character development I crave.

In the 90’s, a movie titled “Now and Then” might have depicted Roberta growing up to embrace her identity as a queer woman and forming a lasting relationship with Chrissy, her childhood friend. This portrayal could have challenged societal norms by showing that two women can grow into loving partners without their relationship being perceived as either tragic or comical. Instead, their lesbian love story could have been depicted as ordinary, heartwarming, and genuine, much like any other romantic couple’s tale of the time.

Regardless of how often I revisit the movie “Now and Then,” my heart will always be invested in Roberta and Chrissy as a couple, feeling let down that they didn’t end up together. If the proposed TV series based on the film had been produced today, I imagine it would have embraced LGBTQ+ representation by exploring a romantic connection between the two friends. For more context, you can rent or buy this friendship drama on various digital streaming platforms.

Read More

2025-06-20 00:08