Amazon.com Essentials:
Barbra Streisand's self-absorbed remake of a 1958 French film
stars Jeff Bridges as a college professor tired of sexual politics. He
makes a deal with a dowdy colleague (Streisand) that they provide
companionship for one another, with no thought of getting into
bed. She agrees but soon becomes frustrated, the agreement only
reinforcing her unfulfilled desire to have a complete relationship
with a man. Mimi Rogers is on hand as Babs's striking sister, and
Lauren Bacall received an Oscar nomination for her role as the
heroine's selfish mother. The film is OK, but it becomes an irritating
vanity piece for Streisand (who directed as well as stars). Her
character constantly gazes upon her own reflection and is told at
least a dozen times, one way or another, just how attractive she
is. One wants to shout out, we get it already--you're pretty! The DVD
release presents the film in both widescreen and pan and scan
versions, plus a Dolby soundtrack. --Tom Keogh
