sdyer@bbncca.ARPA (Steve Dyer) (01/08/84)
I haven't seen much discussion about Barbra Streisand's new movie, "Yentl", here (or maybe I passed it by w/o reading it earlier.) I went to see it last night prepped by the scores of ok-to-fair reviews, and so wasn't prepared for the impact it had on me. I found the story immensely powerful and affecting, despite the fact that at the same time it is a grand vehicle for Streisand. Without stretching the point, arguing that Streisand isn't convincing as Yentl/Anshel is a bit like saying that Joan Sutherland brings too much of herself to the roles she sings. Isaac Bashevis Singer is interviewed in the Boston Sunady Globe, 1/8, where he has a long chance to express his reservations about the film, which was adapted from one of his stories. I think he missed the point--the movie ISN'T Singer's creation, and it fails only if the intent was to bring the original story to the screen. I look at it as more of an inspiration for Streisand to present a big, moving, Hollywood (yes, Hollywood) production. One bad point: the music, especially the lyrics, are pretty banal. Several times, when Yentl is experiencing something she'll remember all her life, Streisand starts singing "...and this is something I'll remember all my life..." Yucch. -- /Steve Dyer decvax!bbncca!sdyer sdyer@bbncca