It all begins with a mother and her all consuming devotion to her daughter. From the very first scenes Aurora Greenway (Shirley MacLaine) is shown as overprotective with her infant daughter Emma. Through the years they continue to form a close bond especially after the passing of Emma's father (who was voiced by Albert Brooks). Little Emma invites Aurora into her bed because she recognizes that her mother doesn't want to be alone. Its that act that becomes the beginning of their tight knit, semi-clingy relationship. As Emma (Debra Winger) grows up they share all their secrets together with Emma learning how to navigate Aurora's all encompassing commitment to her while still maintaining her own autonomy. 

Emma grows up but is eager to create a life for herself away from her mother. She marries a young college professor named Flap Horton (Jeff Daniels) who Aurora is wary of. She threatens that she won't attend their wedding and she makes good on her word. Despite this Emma and Aurora keep in touch as usual always sharing every part of their lives with each other. Shortly after her wedding Emma gets pregnant with her first child which agitates Aurora who fears getting older. 

Sometime later Emma finds out that Flap got a job in Iowa and begrudgingly has to move. Emma is obviously unhappy to move away from her home in Houston and leave her mother but she does so as the dutiful wife. Even though there is distance between mother and daughter they talk often sharing all their drama and frustration. Life in Iowa proves to be rough for Emma who stays home all day with her children and struggles financially. One day she meets a kind banker named Sam Burns (John Lithgow) while on line to pay for groceries. Emma finds that she doesn't have enough money and Sam graciously offers to pay the difference. Eventually she reaches out to her mother for financial support all the while Aurora urges Emma to leave Flap.

The fairytale begins with a King (Jean Marais) walking through his kingdom blissfully happen with his family. He is also fortunate to also have prosperous kingdom all thanks to his prized pet donkey. His donkey is no ordinary pet because he excretes jewels from his body which the King uses to finance his luxurious lifestyle. As perfect as everything seemed to be tragedy found the King when he lost his beloved wife. On her deathbed the Queen (Catherine Deneuve) had the king promise that after her passing he will only marry a woman as beautiful and virtuous as she. In his grief and with the pressure of his advisers he is somehow convinced that woman that he should marry, the woman who could fulfill the promise he made to his wife would be his own daughter.

Now if I lost you there I don't blame you. Aside from this odd situation this film is actually pretty spectacular. But it wouldn't be a fairytale if there wasn't any tragedy or drama. The King's interest in marrying his daughter is as tragic and dramatic as the loss of his wife. In his twisted mind he truly believes he is making good on his promise to his belated Queen. The Princess (Catherine Deneuve) in her own innocent way just wants to make her father happy not fully understanding how disturbing this entire scenario is. Then before things get any weirder in walks the Princess's godmother (Delphine Seyrig) who happens to be a Lilac Fairy. It is the Lilac Fairy (who also seems to have a mysterious past with the King) who brings common sense to the mind of the Princess and tells her that she must never marry her father because it is wrong.

To deter the King from marrying the Princess the Lilac Fairy convinces her to demand a series of seemingly outrageous nuptial gifts in the hope that her father will be forced to give up his plans of marriage. The Princess first asks for a gown that is the color of weather, then for a gown that glows like the moon, and then for a gown that shines brightly like the sun. Somehow all of the gowns are created and the Princess finds herself feeling defeated. The Lilac Fairy comes to the Princess's rescue once again when she suggests that she demand the skin of the King's prized donkey. To the Princess's shock the King presents her with the skin of the donkey that provided the wealth for his kingdom. With the encouragement and support of the Lilac Fairy, the Princess dons the donkey skin and flees father's kingdom to avoid the incestuous marriage.

When people ask me what my favorite movies are I have to tell them to give me a decade and genre. There really are too many but I can say for sure that The Poseidon Adventure (1972) is on my list of favorites. There is something special about a movie that takes you along on the adventure. This film has its ups and downs-literally and figuratively-but its the characters and the journey they go on that pull me from the beginning to the very end. Rewatching it this time around for my post was extremely bittersweet especially now with the loss of Gene Hackman. Out of the eleven actors from the main cast only two remain-Pamela Sue Martin (Susan Shelby) and Eric Shea (Robin Shelby). I can honestly say I have watched this film many times through the years, even once on the big screen and every time I am completely captivated.

Before the film, The Poseidon Adventure was an American adventure novel written by Paul Gallico and published in 1969. The film itself is one of many disaster films that were made in the 1970's. What set this film apart was the writing. That credit goes to Stirling Silliphant and Wendell Mayes who adapted Gallico's book into a screenplay. The film was then directed by Ronald Neame (Scrooge 1970) who took on the reins of this massive movie and produced by Irwin Allen who also produced The Towering Inferno (1974). 

The film begins with conflict between the SS Poseidon's Captain Harrison played by Leslie Nielsen and Mr. Linarcos played by Fred Sadoff. Mr. Linarcos is a representative of the new owners of the ship who is insistent that ship goes full speed despite having issues with the ships ballast (compartment on ship that regulates water and controls buoyancy). The ship was already on its final voyage to become scrap and a undersea earthquake near Greece along with a looming tsunami coming their way could prove disastrous for everyone aboard the SS Poseidon. 

On the days leading the New Year's Eve we get to know more of the main cast of characters such as; Gene Hackman as the Reverend Frank Scott who is a a minister who believes "God helps those who help themselves",  Arthur O'Connell as Chaplain John, Pamela Sue Martin and Eric Shea as Susan and Robin Shelby who are traveling to meet their parents, Ernest Borgnine as Det. Lieutenant Mike Rogo and his wife Linda Rogo-a former prostitute played by Stella Stevens, as well as Mr. Manny Rosen and his wife Belle Rosen played by Jack Albertson and Shelley Winters. On the evening of New Year's we get introduced to Mr. James Martin, a lonely health conscious bachelor played by Red Buttons, Nonnie Parry, a singer played by Carol Lynley, and Acres, a waiter played by Roddy McDowall.