Gypsy

Rating:
Summary: A Broadway-to-film version that fires on all cylindars!
Review: After seeing GYPSY on Broadway twice in the past year,I decided to watch both the Russell and Midler versions back to back in one evening.Not only was the Midler version far superior to the Russel one(though at moments there were glimmers in that one),but frankly I enjoyed it more than even the Peters rendition(which I enjoyed immensely) live in NYC!All three ladies mentioned are wonderful yet entirely different Madame Roses.What really clicked for me in this 1993 production was the supporting cast namely Cynthia Gibb as Louise and the ever consistently brilliant Christine Ebersole as Tessie Tura.Both performers were at the top IMO.This show is great material for super actors and this movie version,totally faithful to the original stage play( that is refreshing!)fires on all cylindars.The ride is jaunty and hilarious.Peter Riegert's timid Herbie is all the better when he finally unleashes on Rose."Finally" I said,"he got some nerve!" Bette Midler is as marvelous as she always is.She was made for this role.I would be hard pressed to find another reason to remake this show again.This was as good as it gets.BROADWAY IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWN HOME.

Rating:
Summary: For a real treat, skip this and see the Roz Russel Version
Review: Bette Midler as Gypsy! Sounded like dream casting. But Bette Midler unfortunately plays Bette Midler and forgets to truly develop the role of Mama Rose. Bette, who used to be a good actress, kind of gives the role lots of chutzpah but nothing more. Peter Reigert makes an interesting Herbie. For true scene munching and much better musical theatre goodies see the Gypsy with Roz Russel and Natalie Wood. One only need compare the two Mama Roses to see how Roz developed a character , while Bette

hasn't developed a character since the Rose. Why do actresses get lazy when they get successful?

Rating:
Summary: A triumph for Midler & a return to the Broadway masterpiece.
Review: Bette Midler is an outstanding triumph in this made-for-TV movie. Unlike the 1962 film with Rosalind Russell, Midler plays the part with quite a bit more depth and with a much darker undertone. Russell was still riding high from her Aunite Mame success and tried to recapture the madcap Mame character in her version. Midler ignores all other portrayals and brings a definite sense of drama to the part of Mama Rose, something the part of the scrounging, pushy, overwrought character needs. The comedy is definitely there, but even it is undetoned with drama. Midler's pop culture voice may be a little unsuited, but it does keep the film lighter and airier than it otherwise would have been. It also emphasizes the success story of Gypsy Rose Lee. Her story was a tragedy, and the success in itself was tragic. Midler also brings so much more to the demented, delusional, nervous breakdown of Mama Rose at the end of the film, heightened by her show-stopping rendition of Rose's Turn. Midler's performance almost makes you feel sorry for Mama Rose, but at the same time accomplishes the intended action, making you very wary of her.

Cynthia Gibbs also portrays Gypsy better than most. She makes the part come alive with drama of her own. Peter Riegert as the long-suffering Herbie is on a par with Midler, an accomplishment in itself.

This film is a definite success despite its anit-Cinderella storyline. Gypsy says something fairly hard to take. Every child eventually has to be responsible for their parents-that you outgrow your parents, and eventually they become your children.

While no production of Gypsy will ever equal Ethel Merman's performance, as it was tailor-made for her, this one comes close. Midler takes the show and runs with it, giving Mama Rose a rather different portrayal than usual, but one that is much loved and wanted. If you watched the 1962 film and didn't quite get all the undertones, this film bursts them open and makes them clear.

Rating:
Summary: A triumph for Midler & a return to the Broadway masterpiece.
Review: Bette Midler is an outstanding triumph in this made-for-TV movie. Unlike the 1962 film with Rosalind Russell, Midler plays the part with quite a bit more depth and with a much darker undertone. Russell was still riding high from her Aunite Mame success and tried to recapture the madcap Mame character in her version. Midler ignores all other portrayals and brings a definite sense of drama to the part of Mama Rose, something the part of the scrounging, pushy, overwrought character needs. The comedy is definitely there, but even it is undetoned with drama. Midler's pop culture voice may be a little unsuited, but it does keep the film lighter and airier than it otherwise would have been. It also emphasizes the success story of Gypsy Rose Lee. Her story was a tragedy, and the success in itself was tragic. Midler also brings so much more to the demented, delusional, nervous breakdown of Mama Rose at the end of the film, heightened by her show-stopping rendition of Rose's Turn. Midler's performance almost makes you feel sorry for Mama Rose, but at the same time accomplishes the intended action, making you very wary of her.

Cynthia Gibbs also portrays Gypsy better than most. She makes the part come alive with drama of her own. Peter Riegert as the long-suffering Herbie is on a par with Midler, an accomplishment in itself.

This film is a definite success despite its anit-Cinderella storyline. Gypsy says something fairly hard to take. Every child eventually has to be responsible for their parents-that you outgrow your parents, and eventually they become your children.

While no production of Gypsy will ever equal Ethel Merman's performance, as it was tailor-made for her, this one comes close. Midler takes the show and runs with it, giving Mama Rose a rather different portrayal than usual, but one that is much loved and wanted. If you watched the 1962 film and didn't quite get all the undertones, this film bursts them open and makes them clear.

Rating:
Summary: BETTE ITS HER GREATEST ROLE
Review: Bette midler plays ROSE HOVIC who always has her daughters in acts.
As they grow up June leaves and Louise becomes a stripper.
This leads rose too...............................................

Rating:
Summary: What the show deserves
Review: Finally, a film version that does this classic show justice. It keeps the original book intact, along with Jerome Robbin's expert choreography, adds some smart dierection and a tour-de-force performance by Midler. Though Midler may look a little too young to play Mama Rose, she pulls off the part remarkably well. You can see her determination to make her daughters succeed and deep sadness at her own failures in songs like "Some People," "Everything's Comming Up Roses," and "Mama's Turn." The movies fine script really gives Bette something to work with in term of character development and she succeeds. The supporting cast is strong enough to stand up against Bette, which is saying a lot. The actress playing the title character really evolves throughought the show from a meek tom-boy to a successful stripper. She handles not only both ends of the spectrum, but everything in between as well. The music, of course, is wonderful, and it's giving good showing in this production. _Gypsy_ is a wonderful show, and its a good thing someone came along to preserve it the way it should be done.

Rating:
Summary: MIDLER IS BRILLIANT.
Review: Get this video for Bette's bravura performance. She shines in the tradition of the great Merman. Avoid the movie with Roz Russell. Not so good.

Rating:
Summary: Move over Roz, Step aside Ethel...
Review: Here comes BETTE. The Mama of all the Mamas. Now I can die happy. A good film of this classic has been made. I spent many a sleepless night because of that 1962 atrosity. Thanks for relieving my insomnia.

Rating:
Summary: A guilty pleasure!
Review: I also must admit, I was a bit skeptical of how this movie was going transform. I only decided to sit it through because I was a true fan of the one and only Midler. I just sat in amazement and finally relief as to how well she and her co-stars pulled it off. By the end of the movie, I was convinced I was watching the true Mama Rose. What a true triumph for Miss Divine M. I will never ever doubt the power she has on us, her cherished audience. "Thanks for the great ride, Miss M, I hope it never stops" Yoli M

Rating:
Summary: Very True to the Fabulous, Classic, Stage Show
Review: I believe that this is the most faithful adaption of a musical to a movie that I have ever seen. The Direction was superb, and they pulled all the stops on this adaption. Such as in "Rose's Turn", Midler does teh bows at the end to an invisable audience in her head. Spooky Stuff. Speaking of Midler, she was just wonderful as Mama Rose. She may have chewed a little scenery here and there, but she was still wonderful. At times, it seemed as if you were watching a videotaped performance of the stage show that she was starring in. It is just a wonderful adaption of one of my favorite movies. I love Rosiland Russel, but her movie version is placid and badly directed.