Phyllis Nefler, a soon to be divorced Beverly Hills society wife is determined to prove to her husband Freddy and herself that she can finish what she starts out to do. She soon realizes that being a Wilderness Girls' den mother to a troop of Beverly Hills-bred girls is not as easy as buying cookies.
Director: Jeff Kanew
Writers: Ava Ostern Fries (Story) / Pamela Norris (Screenplay) & Margaret Oberman (Screenplay)
Starring: Shelley Long, Craig T. Nelson, Betty Thomas, and Mary Gross
Dorky’s Review
Shelley Long shines in this LOL comedy that's filled with interesting and loveable characters and has enough quoteable one-liners to make up one of those small booklets featured at the cash register at Beatnik Books.
The cast of characters is what makes this movie endearing, and Troop Beverly Hills introduced several young actors to the scene such as Jenny Lewis, Carla Gugino, Kellie Martin, and Tori Spelling. Craig T. Nelson plays Freddy, the soon to be ex.
Though all the characters in this movie are great there's one that stands out as the "Underdog Role." Mary Gross plays Annie Herman, and though her lines are few, she's one of the many things that make this movie totally rentable.
Personally I think Mary Gross is one of the best character actors of the 80s and 90s. Most known for her years on SNL ('81-'85), she's been in a lot of great movies but not many people know her name, which is a sign of a truly great character actor.
If you want a fun, smart, cheer for the underdog kind of movie Troop Beverly Hills is a great pick. It's a love story, a family story, and a coming of age story all rolled into one, and it also teaches a valuable lesson about being yourself and surrounding yourself with people who love and support you.
If you ask what I think of Troop Beverly Hills, I'd say what a thrill! And then I'd ask you if you're ready for Cookie Time. If you answer yes, then get ready for 105 minutes of joy and laughter. If you answer no, how can you not be ready for cookie time?
A CLASSIC SCENE
PICS FROM OTHER SCENES
Phyllis is ready for her first troop meeting.
The Wilderness Girls uniform just will not do!
This uniform is much better.
A formidable and hysterical antagonist, Velda Plendor.
Spoiler Alert: Velda recruits Annie Hermon as a spy.
Phyllis Neffler and assistant troop leader, Annie Hermon teach the art of jewelry making.
Phyllis and the girls rough it for real at the Wilderness Girls Jamboree.