Nuts

Rating:
Summary: Nuts (1987)
Review: Barbra Streisand has been one of the most talented female singers in this world, with releasing a slew of successful albums. It wasn't until 1968, when Barbra decided to get her hands on acting career to back up her singing career, when she starred in the film adapted version of the Broadway classic, "Funny Girl", where she played the lead role of Fanny Brice. After Funny Girl, Barbra took the lead role of many other films, such as "The Way We Were", "Funny Lady", "Yentl", "The Main Event", "On A Clear Day You Can See Forever", "Hello Dolly", and many others. But in 1987, Barbra landed herself the lead role no one will ever forget. That role, ladies and gentlemen, was Claudia Draper for the film, "Nuts".

Claudia Draper (played by Barbra Streisand) is an expensive hooker, who is arrested for the murder of one of her clients (played by Leslie Nielson). What the courts and police don't know is that what Claudia has done was not first-degree manslaughter; it was clearly self-defense. Claudia and her date have already had sex with each other, but her date wanted a bit more. After refusing, he became rather aggressive, attacking Claudia. Strangling her, Claudia picks up a piece of glass and kills her date, in self-defense. Her mother, Rose Kirk (played by Maureen Stapleton), and her stepfather, Arthur Kirk (played by Karl Malden), along with two psychiatrists, as well as the police have considered her to be incompetent, especially for attending the trial, forcing her to stay in an institution. Defending Claudia is Aaron Levinsky (played by the brilliant and outstanding Richard Dreyfuss). During the preliminary hearing, Claudia's stepfather has revealed a devastating secret to his wife, as well as, the court. His deepest secret is the perfect explanation to why Claudia has terrible temper, as to also why her childhood was so terrible.

I have seen a pretty good share of Barbra's films, but as far as I'm concerned, her role as Claudia Draper is her highest and most brilliant. Whether you enjoy her music more, or her acting more, you cannot deny that this film is her absolute best. If you have not seen this film, then I suggest to you strongly that you see this film and watch Barbra Streisand in her most serious and touching role ever.

Rating:
Summary: Striesand's best performance
Review: "Nuts" is a must see for Striesand fans and anyone who enjoys a well written script and an exceptionally strong cast. The story of a high priced escort (Streisand) accused of murder and forced to go on trial to prove her sanity, in order to stand trial, is gripping. Her parents, who've had enough of her antics, want to send her to an asylum. Her state appointed counsel (played to perfection by Richard Dreyfuss) is compelled to find a way to prove her sanity to the courts as well as to his client. Perhaps there are no real surprises but the careful uncovering of layers of deceipt and mistrust is very real and honestly played out in this highly emotional and sentimental movie. I highly reccommend this film to all who enjoy good movie making.

Rating:
Summary: Striesand's best performance
Review: "Nuts" is a must see for Striesand fans and anyone who enjoys a well written script and an exceptionally strong cast. The story of a high priced escort (Streisand) accused of murder and forced to go on trial to prove her sanity, in order to stand trial, is gripping. Her parents, who've had enough of her antics, want to send her to an asylum. Her state appointed counsel (played to perfection by Richard Dreyfuss) is compelled to find a way to prove her sanity to the courts as well as to his client. Perhaps there are no real surprises but the careful uncovering of layers of deceipt and mistrust is very real and honestly played out in this highly emotional and sentimental movie. I highly reccommend this film to all who enjoy good movie making.

Rating:
Summary: No Underestimating That Streisand (i.e. N.U.T.S.)
Review: ... It's themes echo those in Streisand's own life: speaking out for what you believe; sexism; challenging the system; and child sexual and emotional abuse.

NUTS is a difficult movie in Streisand's career. She's trying really hard in this film to provide a dramatic performance. And Streisand does a great job! She has some wonderful moments in NUTS. I think some of the problems, however, lie in the script - or maybe in the U.S. court system! ...

The supporting cast is incredible - a who's who of old-school Method acting. Karl Malden plays against type in his role as Claudia's stepfather - his revelatory scene with Streisand brings chills. Maureen Stapleton and Eli Wallach turn in fine performances too, although Mr. Wallach is given the thankless task of playing "therapist bad guy."

My overall impression with NUTS is that it is "old-fashioned" in acting style and presentation. It is gloriously photographed and everyone speaks beautifully. If it were made by a different director and starred different actors, then NUTS would be a completely different show. For instance, imagine Debra Winger (orginally aligned with the project) as Claudia.

The point with Streisand is that her films and concerts are all performance art - variations on a theme: her life. Her fans (of which I am one) appreciate this. It's not so much that Streisand succeeds or fails at playing a prostitute. It's that, cognizant or not, she chose a role that dealt with the abuse from a step father and the mending of a relationship with a mother - two themes in Streisand's own personal life. And Streisand plays a character that's not very likable because she speaks her mind and annoys everyone around her - much like Streisand in her professional life as well.

I find the film fascinating on those levels.

Rating:
Summary: Entertaining, but only fair
Review: A great cast, but sort of a hokey and predictable plot. It totally has the feel of an adapted play. It's entertaining once, but that's about it. I think the thing was way overdone on Streisand's character making her own decisions and the whole "crazy" thing was just too much and the audience was beaten over the head too often with these themes. It wasn't adapted too well from the stage, that is what plays often do.

Also, the whole premise of a 40-ish Streisand playing a successful high class call girl made this an unintentional comedy. The scene where she lists what she charges for doing what, I almost starting laughing outloud as the hilarity of anyone paying someone with her looks and age that much money. And the scenes where she tries to act like a sexy vamp, in both flashbacks, in court, and with her attorney, are equally hilarious. Streisand was miscast here, big time. She needs to stick with Fanny Bryce-type roles, or play women where looks are not dependent on the character. Streisand is not nearly as bad looking as people make her out, and has aged well, but a successful 40-ish high class call girl is just too much of a stretch. It's a meaty role I imagine she really wanted, but you have to be at least fairly attractive/hot to pull it off. She's not.

Rating:
Summary: Mentyl
Review: Ah Babs has picked a good one here. No one wants to give her any credit for this role but she deserves it. Yes this is a full on melodrama, but some of us are not that impressed with gritty docu style reality. This is the movies folks and Babs delivers a first rate Hollywood performance. It may get over the top in parts, and yes the casting of Leslie Nielson is a bit hard to take, still NUTS never sinks into self parody (though many wished it had).
I often wonder what people would think of Babs in Nuts if she was a new actress and this was her first film. You can be sure she would have got the nomination everyone says she was salivating for.

Rating:
Summary: Mentyl
Review: Ah Babs has picked a good one here. No one wants to give her any credit for this role but she deserves it. Yes this is a full on melodrama, but some of us are not that impressed with gritty docu style reality. This is the movies folks and Babs delivers a first rate Hollywood performance. It may get over the top in parts, and yes the casting of Leslie Nielson is a bit hard to take, still NUTS never sinks into self parody (though many wished it had).
I often wonder what people would think of Babs in Nuts if she was a new actress and this was her first film. You can be sure she would have got the nomination everyone says she was salivating for.

Rating:
Summary: Stunning Performance by Barbara
Review: Barbara does an amazing job as Claudia Draper. This is an emotional performance delivered brilliantly. This is a movie of courage and determination of a woman who refuses to succumb to the opinions of others and defend her mental stability. This is my favorite movie of all time!!

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant
Review: Barbara Streisand plays a high priced hooker accused of manslaughter who must prove to the court she is mentally competent enough to prove her guilt and innocence. Streisand delivers a magnetic performance. Whether or not the character Claudia parallels Streisands own life or not is material. All actors draw from their own experiences. This actually was a tour de force for the entire ensemble. A must see movie and definitely on my all time favorites list. This is one I break out when company comes to town.

Rating:
Summary: barbra should have won an oscar on this one. wonderful job.
Review: barbra should have won an oscar for this one but was cheated because she is a woman who can out do any man in the directors chair. she is a very talented lady who deserves more credit than she got...