Splash (1984)

Splash is a landmark film in several respects. Directed by Ron Howard and released in 1984, it marked the debut feature of Disney's newly established Touchstone Pictures label—created to produce more mature fare than the traditional Disney brand allowed. It also propelled Tom Hanks into stardom, cemented Daryl Hannah as a romantic lead, and reinvigorated interest in modern fairy tales at the movies. A whimsical blend of romance, fantasy, and comedy, Splash manages to be lighthearted without being shallow, sincere without being saccharine, and utterly charming from beginning to end.

Plot Summary

The story begins in Cape Cod, where a young boy named Allen Bauer has a brief, mysterious underwater encounter with a young mermaid before being rescued. Twenty years later, Allen (Tom Hanks) is a successful but lonely produce distributor in New York City, still emotionally scarred from his childhood loss and recent breakup.

During a trip to Cape Cod, Allen falls into the sea—and is rescued by the same mermaid (Daryl Hannah), now fully grown. She retrieves his wallet and travels to New York, using it to find him. Naked and mute, she causes a media frenzy when she emerges from the sea at the Statue of Liberty. The two quickly reconnect, and Allen falls head-over-heels for her, unaware that she is a mermaid.

As the romance deepens, complications arise. The mermaid—who names herself Madison, after a Manhattan street—can only remain on land for a limited time before needing to return to the sea. Meanwhile, an obsessive marine biologist, Dr. Walter Kornbluth (Eugene Levy), suspects her true identity and is determined to prove it, setting the stage for a confrontation between love, science, and the secret of Madison’s origins.

Performances

Tom Hanks gives a performance full of heart, humour, and endearing awkwardness. As Allen, he is immediately likeable—a blend of neurotic charm and emotional openness. Splash was an early leading role for Hanks, and it showcased the qualities that would become his trademarks: likeability, quick comic timing, and a grounded emotional core.

Daryl Hannah is luminous as Madison. She delivers a surprisingly nuanced performance, managing to convey both innocence and sensuality without ever seeming artificial. Hannah captures the physicality of her mermaid role with graceful movement and wide-eyed wonder, making Madison’s adjustment to the human world sweet and compelling rather than trite.

John Candy, as Allen’s womanizing older brother Freddie, provides much of the film’s comic relief. He’s over-the-top but never grating, and his scenes with Hanks have a loose, natural rhythm that brings authenticity to their sibling relationship.

Eugene Levy, in a standout supporting role, plays Dr. Kornbluth with manic energy and increasing desperation. Initially portrayed as a villain, Levy’s character evolves into a more sympathetic figure, and his arc is one of the film’s more subtle achievements.

Direction and Production

Ron Howard brings a deft, light touch to the proceedings. His direction is clean and unobtrusive, allowing the characters and performances to shine. Howard shows an intuitive understanding of the genre, weaving the fantastical elements of the mermaid mythos seamlessly into a modern setting.

The underwater sequences—particularly Madison’s introductory scenes and the climax—are well-executed for the time, with convincing special effects and clever use of location shooting. While the film doesn’t lean heavily on visual spectacle, it uses practical effects and underwater cinematography effectively, particularly in the scenes shot in the Bahamas.

Howard wisely balances the humour with emotional beats, ensuring the romance remains front and center. The story may be fantastical, but the emotional truth of the relationship between Allen and Madison feels grounded and real.

Themes and Tone

At its heart, Splash is a fairy tale for adults—a modern Little Mermaid story told with humour and heart. The film explores timeless themes of love across boundaries, the clash between wonder and cynicism, and the sacrifices we make for true connection.

There’s a strong message about acceptance and transformation. Madison must hide her true nature to be with Allen, while Allen must eventually come to terms with the reality of who she is. It’s a classic romance trope reimagined through fantasy, but it works because the characters are emotionally accessible and the stakes, while heightened, feel genuine.

The tone is romantic but not overly sentimental, comedic without descending into slapstick. This tonal balance is one of the film’s greatest strengths. Splash respects the intelligence of its audience—it never winks too hard at its own premise, instead embracing the absurdity with sincerity.

Music and Cinematography

The musical score by Lee Holdridge is whimsical and romantic, supporting the film’s fairy-tale elements without being overly intrusive. The theme that accompanies Madison’s underwater scenes is particularly memorable and ethereal.

Donald Peterman’s cinematography captures the New York City settings with clarity and warmth, while the underwater scenes are dreamlike and fluid, evoking a mythical atmosphere. The juxtaposition of gritty urban life and the surreal beauty of the ocean enhances the film’s central contrast between two worlds.

Legacy and Cultural Impact

Splash was a critical and commercial success upon its release, earning over $69 million at the U.S. box office—a major achievement for a romantic fantasy with relatively modest effects and no big action set-pieces. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and remains a significant cultural touchstone.

The film marked a turning point for Disney, proving that the studio could successfully cater to older audiences. It also helped redefine the romantic comedy in the 1980s, opening the door for more genre hybrids that blended fantasy or sci-fi with human relationships (Big, Mannequin, Peggy Sue Got Married).

Perhaps most enduringly, Splash made mermaids cool again. Madison became a pop culture icon, inspiring everything from fashion trends to baby names—indeed, the name “Madison” for girls surged in popularity after the film’s release, despite Madison being traditionally a surname or a male name before then.

Conclusion

Splash is more than just a whimsical rom-com—it’s a story that dares to be earnest in a genre often dominated by cynicism. Its charming performances, heartfelt storytelling, and deft blend of humour and fantasy make it a standout of 1980s cinema. It introduced a fresh take on fairy tale romance while launching several careers and setting a high bar for romantic comedies with a fantastical twist.

For fans of light fantasy, offbeat romance, and classic ’80s charm, Splash remains a deeply enjoyable and emotionally resonant film that has lost little of its appeal in the decades since its release.

A magical modern fairy tale with humour, heart, and unforgettable performances.