For the Boys
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Movie Reviews of For the Boys
Movie Review: For this boy ...
Summary: 5 Stars
Many moons ago I received the DVD of "Norma Rae," and there was a trailer included in the special features for "For the Boys." The trailer featured Bette's character singing "In My Life" during the Vietnam War, while flashes of history are played on the screen. Perhaps needless to say, I CRIED my eyes out while watching this! It made me believe that the movie would be outstanding, or, at least, as emotional as that song. Anyway, I was looking forward to seeing it, and bought it for cheap somewhere.
AS USUAL I had to watch the movie a few times before I really started appreciating it, and now I can say that I love it, DESPITE the scathing reviews it received. But I do agree on a few points:
Unfortunately, the best part of the entire movie is the first forty minutes or so, and considering the movie is two-and-one-half hours long, that perhaps isn't saying much. But watching Bette perform in these scenes is enough to sustain you throughout the rest. Basically, you just wind up wishing the movie would "pick up," but you're stuck waiting for the other half of a one-two punch; it never REALLY comes.
The entire movie in itself IS emotional, cute, funny, tragic ... all the adjectives you'd expect. But all of these things working together don't add up to a perfect whole. And the ending is somewhat unsatisfying. It's the ending we were expecting, but ... it could have been executed a bit better. At times it seems as though it were a TV-movie. And everyone complains about the age makeup, but ... this was 1990; this was "For the Boys," not "Lord of the Rings."
All-in-all it's the songs and one-liners that are going to stay with you, and, again, Bette's performance in those first forty minutes. I guess I'm just biased, but ... I believe this movie DOES have an audience if you're open-minded, and can view this as a flawed masterpiece. If you've read any entertainment "news" from 1991, then you'd know that Bette's own production company brought "For the Boys" to fruition, and it was truly a love-letter to all her fans.
Maybe sometime before the 2000s are over she'll have one more big hit, and maybe she'll finally get an Oscar. I hope. :)
Movie Review: Bette's most entertaining movie!
Summary: 5 Stars
If you like to see Bette sing, act, dance, cry, and joke, then this is the movie that will fulfill all that! Unlike her first Oscar nominated The Rose's depressing A La Janis Joplin spin off story that was too heavy to digest, For The Boys has the ability to be a comedy, musical, and tearjearker at the same time. Bette got another Oscar nomination for the role of Dixie Leonard.
For The Boys takes you to journey in Dixie Leonard's memory lane across some 40 year span when she was being persuaded by a man from the awards organization to attend the gala event. At first, she refused to go knowing that Eddie Sparks(James Caan), her long time showbiz partner/lover would be there. Before she made up her mind wether to go or not, she started to tell the man about her career and life experiences.....
A lot of happy, funny, and even tragic events happen in her flashbacks. In the beginning, Eddie Sparks didn't like her, but Dixie stole the show when they were entertaining the troops, and they became partners to go overseas to do shows for the boys fighting in the Vietnam and Korean wars. Dixie's husband died in the war, and she was devastated. Graudually, she and Eddie got intimate with each other, despite the fact that he was married with kids. More than ten years later, Dixie witnessed her only son died in the Vietnam War. She blamed it on Eddie, and never spoke to him again.
The singing and dancing were dazzling, and there were many funny moments as well as moving moments, especially the scene when Dixie's son got killed by a bomb, and the scene when the aged Eddie gave his speech at the gala presentation. He was speechless when he talked about losing his boy(Dixie's son). That was a very moving point in this film, but it's not the actual ending. The reunion of Dixie and Eddie was the joyful and uplifting moment, because they forgave each other.
James Caan was very good, he exudes the sophistication of old Hollywood entertainers, and he's a great pairing with Bette.
This is my favorite Bette Midler movie of all time along with The Rose, and Beaches.
Movie Review: AN OVERLOOKED GEM! MIDLER IS INCREDIBLE!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have never understood the reaction so many people and critics have had to this film.
In short: this is a great movie. I am as baffled today as I was upon its initial release that it did not do well. Bette (who has had an uneven movie career) is simply great here; brilliant. She SHOULD have won an Oscar. She is electric in her almost every scene. The early big number where she first sings for Eddie is magic, exhilarating, joyous, and a delight. Bette is at her very best in this long number. Even her hands and arms; watch what she does with them.
The supporting players are also wonderful. I particularly enjoyed the subtly, grace, and charm displayed by Arye Gross (impossibly young!). The scenes in Vietnam with Christopher Rydell (as Bette's beloved movie son Danny) are also superbly played by the actor. You really feel the stunning transition from his pro-war beliefs to his shocking disillusionment.
The brief Vietnam scenes also portray the hubris of Vietnam better than most feature-length films on the subject. No small achievement.
What I also liked about the film was the utter disparity between the public's viewpoint of the two Beloved Stars and their own truth. I also enjoyed the many issues touched upon - no easy task to do in 138 minutes.
Yes, there are problems. I did not like the casting of James Cann in 1991 and still do not although I usually enjoy the actor. And yes, the Old Make-up is a disaster and utterly distracting.
Film history is full of overlooked gems. FOR THE BOYS is one such film. Remember, people did not like IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE when it came out! Nor the WIZARD OF OZ!
Movie Review: I'll Remember ... YOU!
Summary: 5 Stars
That final line of the movie is only part of what makes it so wonderful.
Bette Midler plays Dixie opposite James Caan's Eddie. When they meet, neither is impressed with the other ... however, both deliver magic when onstage in front of thousands of GIs. With great comic timing and spectacular chemistry, they stumble into a partnership that will take them through three different wars, joys and tragedies. They're more than friends, more than performing partners ... and their unique relationship lasts decades. They see ups and downs, have fights and disagreements, but in the end come together FOR THE BOYS.
Bette Midler and James Caan are fantastic in this movie. The music is wonderful as well. One of Bette's best!
Movie Review: Why are there bad reviews?
Summary: 5 Stars
I have no idea why anyone would give this a bad review, whether it was when it first debuted or today. This movie has something for everyone. Personally, I love Bette Midler & and I love anything from the 40s, so this is perfect for me. And I've seen reviews for this that say you can only appreciate it, if you lived during one of the eras portrayed in the film. I am living proof that that statement is wrong, because I am 24 years old and love everything about this movie.
Bette Midler & James Caan are wonderful actors and truly show that they are capable of any genre. If you are in doubt of whether you would like this movie, don't be. There is something for everyone, whether it is comedy, music, or drama.