There hasn't been a double-girl bawler like this since Old Acquaintance.

Two 11-year-old girls from very different backgrounds meet accidentally on a holiday beach and form a bond of friendship that somehow holds, in spite of long periods apart and occasional blazing rows, down the years, through to a tremendous weepie climax you will need at least two handkerchiefs to even see.

Mary Agnes Donoghue's script, as adept at funny one-liners - the film isn't all tears - as dramatic confrontations, pulls all the right emotional strings and Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey, both first-rate, give it full value.

Generally it's Hershey's character who has the crises in life and the ebullient Midler who's always on hand with a well-padded shoulder.

Besides the stars, mention should be made of Garry Marshall's unobtrusive direction, a couple of bright and entertaining musical numbers, and little Mayim Bialik - who's an 11-year-old Midler to the life - and Marcie Leeds.

Basically, though, this is just a terrific script that makes you realise the value of friendship.

There aren't too many of those around these days.