Rating: 
Summary: What Women Dream About...
Review: "Up the Sandbox" is a little known but interesting movie among Barbara Streisand's cannon of film's. At a time, when she was commonly known for making either extravegant musicals or slapstick comedies she released this comedy/drama, which seriously delt with women's issues. This fact along with the film's somewhat confusing storyline might have been the reason fot it's box office failure and obscurity. But I like to view this unusual but interesting film as a 'diamond in the rough'. Look at it closely enough and it can be a richly rewarding viewing experience.In the film we meet, Margaret Reynolds (Barbra Streisand) a middle class, New York City housewife. Margaret is married to a university professor named Paul (David Selby) and is raising two young children in a cramped, inner city apartment. She finds being a mother is emotionally rewarding, but does not find much intellectual stimulation tending to diapers and strained peas. To deal with her frustrations, she engages in daydreams (making love to a Latin dictator, joining a radical group in terrorist acts, meeting a primitive Amazon African tribe, etc.)which reveal her inner feelings, that she cannot communicate to the people in her life. On top of all this, she learns from her doctor, that she is now pregnant again.What will she do? Will she have the child or get an abortion? Will she change the things in her life, that make her so unhappy? The film is dated with its portrayl of radical politics and 1970's hair and clothing styles, but the issues, that are at the core of the movie are just as relevent today as they were thirty years ago.The film asks questions such as "How many children should a women have? Where should children be raised? How do we treat children? What kind of relationship should we have with our parents? Should mothers work or not? Which parent should raise the children?" These are all questions that the film tries to grapple with. Director, Irvin Kershner tries to interject humor into the film with the use of the somewhat confusing fantasy scenes.The funniest is a sequence in which Streisand gets into a hilarious wrestling match with her obnoxious, meddling mother at her parent's anniversary party.It's total kaos! The casting of the film is superb. Streisand for once is playing an ordinary women living a very unglamourous life. She sublimates her superstar charisma and puts in a great acting performance.Actor, David Selby gives a very good turn playing an average husband, who one moment is insensitve and the next moment very understanding.Actress, Arianne Heller gives a great comic performance as the annoying and suffocating mother.Shes' every adult-age, child's nightmare! Heller nearly steals every scene she's in. Finally a mention should be made of Cinematographer, Gordon Willis' wonderful photography. The movie has a gritty, realistic look to it, that gives the film an almost documentary look. You can see from the pallett of colors he used, the beginnings of the acclaimed work he soon did in the "Godfather" movies. The DVD remastering for this film is fine for a movie from 1972. It's Extras include a trailer and commentary tracks from both Barbra Streisand and Director, Irvin Kershner. "Up the Sandbox" is an unusaul yet entertaining film, which will leave you with lots to think about. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: "Mothers have no special privileges here!"
Review: After the uproarious zaniness of WHAT'S UP, DOC?, Streisand's follow-up picture, the decidedly bizarre UP THE SANDBOX, confused much of the film-going public and the film became the star's first flop at the box office. However, this poor reputation has only added luster to the film's appeal today, and UP THE SANDBOX has become a film that is very special to Streisand's many fans. The film's new-found appreciation is largely due to Streisand's beautifully restrained performance, which is full of warmth and nuanced believability. When she's taking on the routine banalities that were typical of the seventies' housewife, Streisand never fails to make the mundane appear so radiant and lovely. Director Irvin Kershner (best known for directing THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK) gives the film an eerily abstract, European-like feel that lends UP THE SANDBOX an usual art house-style vibe. This is not a perfect film, however. The pace is almost rigidly slow and, even for a film with a 98 minute runtime, there are scenes that feel endless. Also, several of the fantasy sequences do not parallel the central storyline as well as they were intended to, which throws the film a bit off-balance and making it feel more uneven than it should. Finally, many of the issues the film raises, which were somewhat quaint even in '72, have dated badly when viewed today. But I still praise the film for it's uniqueness, and it's terrific lead performance. In the end, UP THE SANDBOX works as a vehicle for Streisand, and it allows the actress to showcase the quieter side of her brilliance. About the DVD: The picture quality is very good (light years ahead of the hazy VHS copies), and the mono sound is also fine. The trailer and vintage featurette are entertaining, but the biggest feature is Streisand's terrific full-length commentary track (which more than makes up for the disappointedly skimpy track that she contributed to the WHAT'S UP, DOC DVD). Director Kershner is featured on a separate track, which is also very much worth listening to.
Rating: 
Summary: A True Gem
Review: Although this is one of Ms. Streisand's poorest selling films, it is truly ingenious. She co-produced it too! Althought the movie at times is drab, her performance never misses anything! A must have for any Streisand fan.
Rating:
Summary: A True Gem
Review: Although this is one of Ms. Streisand's poorest selling films, it is truly ingenious. She co-produced it too! Althought the movie at times is drab, her performance never misses anything! A must have for any Streisand fan.
Rating: 
Summary: Didnt get it
Review: Could sombody explain me what this movie is all about.Their is no point,no moral,no comedy.I only recommend you to watch this movie to see the hidden secret of Fidel Castro.
Rating: 
Summary: a Compelling performance
Review: I give this film 3 stars but I give Barbra Streisand 5 stars. Her performance is so incredibly touching and honest. It has to be the one Stresand movie where I actually forgot the star. She's just stunning. I'd love to have seen Streisand in more of these low-budget movies that deal with very real issues - such as the roll and importance of the American housewife. Streisand is a fantastic actress and this movie proves it. Joanne
Rating:
Summary: INCREDIBLE!
Review: I think that this is the best movie that Streisand has ever made. Her acting was superb! If you want to see a great movie rent this one. END
Rating:
Summary: Barbra's talent is way"UP"there
Review: I won't bore anyone with a long review BUT this is a Barbra you don't often get to see. Take my advise and see it. You won't be sorry. I don't care what anyone says, name another actress who has had the same career as Barbra. You can't, and you won't, Say what you will but the woman can and does act, this film is prime example.
Rating:
Summary: Barbra's talent is way"UP"there
Review: I won't bore anyone with a long review BUT this is a Barbra you don't often get to see. Take my advise and see it. You won't be sorry. I don't care what anyone says, name another actress who has had the same career as Barbra. You can't, and you won't, Say what you will but the woman can and does act, this film is prime example.
Rating:
Summary: Well worth the viewing time!
Review: If you missed "Up The Sandbox" at the movies, now is the time to make up for it. The wit in this complex movie exploring a mother's daydreams about the more exciting life she may have lost when choosing to start a family may be subtle but it is fresh and funny even today. Barbra Streisand shows her comedic talent in this off beat gem.
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