Rating: Summary: The DVD was worth the wait! Review: All of the magic, romance and turmoil of the love between Katie and Hubbell are back in this special edition DVD. Not only is this love story digitally remastered in glorious DVD quality and widescreen format, it also includes an hour long documentary on the making of the film.In the documentary, Barbra Streisand and director Sydney Pollack reminisce fondly on the making of the film, and each discusses their differences on the scenes that were omitted. Every time I've seen the film, I've felt that something was missing in the explanation of Katie and Hubbell's eventual breakup. The ommitted scenes, seen in the documentary, would have shown the depth of the relationship between these two people - and that the real reason behind their split was based on politics more than Hubbell's infidelity. Composer Marvin Hamlisch and lyricists Alan and Marilyn Bergman also discuss how the haunting theme and title song evolved. The attention to detail and the commitment of all those involved in the film is obvious in the interviews - the music and the visual images had to be a perfect marriage. An interesting option on the DVD is an audio track of director Pollack commenting on each of the scenes as the movie plays. This film has always been more than "just" a love story - the days of the Hollywood blacklist, communism, World War II are all essential ingredients to the story line. Even after 20 plus years, this remains one of my all time favorite films. Fans of Streisand and Redford will certainly consider the DVD as an essential addition to their home video library.
Rating: Summary: romantic, sensitive, engrossing Review: a beautifully felt movie... streisand is beautifully strong and real and romantic all at once.... at the same time there is a subtlety in both redford's and streisand's performances... this is one of my favorite's of all time...
Rating: Summary: An Outstanding Story About People and Politics... Review: This film is generally thought of as being a love story about two opposites - a left-wing Jewish girl and a WASP golden boy to whom "everything comes to easily." But it really can take credit for a resurgence of interest in the communist witch hunts of the McCarthy era. It preceded other films on the topic, like "The Front," by several years, and uses the era as something that impacts the actions of the characters. Novelist/Playwrite/Screenwriter Arthur Laurents shows the struggle of two people to ultimately maintain their personal and professional principles in a world that doesn't have much of either - Hollywood. I think this film has earned an unfair reputation as the ultimate "Chick Flick." It's actually a great script in the care of a top notch director (Sydney Pollack) wonderfully acted by two of the biggest stars in the world.
Rating: Summary: Classic Romance Review: This is truly one of the classic movie romances. I think it was Sidney Pollack (the director) who said in an interview that the lasting and memorable romances are the ones in which the lovers DON'T get together (i.e. CASABLANCA). That is certainly true in this film. Streisand is very good. Arthur Laurents has tailor-written a role that combines her FUNNY GIRL codependency with her legendary outspokenness. Redford gets to play the golden boy again, but with a darker side. He is very good as an insecure "popular guy" to whom things come too easily. I think people like this film because it takes us back to high school and college when there was the "popular" people and the geeks. This film matches the geek with the all-american boy and examines what happens when these two try to make a relationship work. The last scene is the classic scene. I can't watch it without crying. I think we can all relate to someone we love, but can't have. And it doesn't help that Babs starts singing that great Marvin Hamlisch song when the movie is over! Ahhhhhhh! Get out your hankies!! P.S. Here's hoping the DVD version of this film includes the cut scenes and some bonus stuff! (and PLEASE --- widescreen!!)
Rating: Summary: The silver screen's best love story! Review: The ultimate romance in cinematic history has lost none of it's imact even after 26 years! While the 25 anniversery video edition has no new footage or supplements, it is still the best that the film has ever looked. "Memories. . ."
Rating: Summary: A rare love story. Review: This is one of the most memorable romances in movie history. It's the story of complete opposites, the love that brings them together and the differences that tear them apart. A must see!
Rating: Summary: A definite must see love story for Redford/Streisand fans Review: Two star crossed lovers during the 40's meet in college. They end up marrying only to discover they were not the people they were in college. It's called growing up. There's still quite a bit of truth to this flick even in today's crazy world of high divorce rate. Just when you genuinely think you really and truly know someone, it turns out maybe you really don't!
Rating: Summary: You don't won't to miss this movie. Review: This movie is wonderful!! I have probably seen it 15 times and each time it touches me more. Buy it! You won't be sorry.
Rating: Summary: A great love story! Review: This is truly a classic...one of the greatest love stories of all time. Redford is fantastic as the more conservative, average american of that era, and Streisand is equally impressive as the quintessencial college radical. The way Pollack brings them together, and keeps them together off and on over the years is wonderful. And the last scene, where he meets her years later handing out leaflets for another one of her "causes", and Redford with his new wife in tow, is truly one of the most moving moments of any movie at anytime! I loved it!!
Rating: Summary: The Way It Could Have Been.. Review: I echo the previous reviewers comments. Why they couldn't have put back the original footage is beyond me. I got ripped off by buying a supposedly remastered version of "Funny Girl" a year or two ago and discovered some of the poorest quality video I have ever seen. I am pretty leary of anything that comes from Columbia video. My take is they make no effort whatsoever to produce a quality product. Streisand's films were some of their biggest moneymakers and they haven't put them out on DVD. When they do, I fully expect lousy transfers and low quality.
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