Nuts
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Movie Reviews of Nuts
Movie Review: "I won't be nuts for you"
Summary: 5 Stars
Badly neglected by both audiences and critics at the time of it's original release, NUTS is a film that is ripe for reevaluation. Based on Tom Toplor's 1981 courtroom play, NUTS is definitely a dialogue-based film with little Hollywood flashiness. Though extremely well-written (by Toplor, adapting his own work with Darryl Ponicsan and Alvin Sargent) and sharply staged and directed by veteran Martin Ritt, it is the cast whom is really responsible bringing NUTS to life. Barbra Streisand gives an absolutely bravura performance that should have earned her an Oscar nomination. Alternately hilarious and frightening, Streisand is always mesmerizing as she delves so far into character.
Richard Dreyfess is nothing less than Streisand's equal as her public defender. He too was robbed of an Oscar nomination. The supporting cast is a top-notch ensemble of professional character actors (Maureen Stapleton, Eli Wallach, Robert Webber, James Whitmore, and Karl Malden), all of whom work their craft flawlessly. NUTS' screenplay does indulge in the predictability of some of the typical courtroom-plot conventions a little too often, but Toplor's absorbing script still deserves high praise for it's fascinating exploration of what constitutes as normality and whether or not the insane should be required to receive treatment. NUTS isn't going to win over any fans of 3-cuts-per-second action films, but it leave lovers of thought-provoking, expertly-acted dramas fascinated.
About the DVD: The picture quality is dark and grainy, however, I believe that this reflects the film's intended look. The sound is fine, and it's nice to have the film's trailer included. Streisand's intelligent and entertaining full-length commentary is the main extra here, and it more than makes up for the disappointing tracks she contributed to the WHAT'S UP, DOC? and MAIN EVENT DVDs.
Movie Review: A masterful performance...
Summary: 5 Stars
Nuts provides insight into the dysfunction created when a woman gets divorced, is alone with a daughter of her first marriage, and finds a new husband, forming a new family without thoroughly checking the character, background, and inclinations of the new male figure in her household.
Maureen Stapleton plays the role of the "mother" so desperate for companionship that she refuses to see the reality that surrounds her daughter. Living in denial, this woman emotionally "abandons" her daughter and is the culprit in the creation of a shattered self image that results on an apparently "mad-high-priced" escort, played by Barbra Streisand, who delivers a masterful performance as the accused of murder woman who must prove she is not insane to prove her innocence.
Barbra Streisand read the play by Tom Topor and decided to bring it to film and her portrayal of a strong willed woman, willing to call a spade a spade, non-yielding to the shame of her so called "profession" is simply magnificent. At one point, questioned as to what she does for a living, she proudly explains why she does what she does and says; "I know many women that hide behind marriage, not in love with their husbands, in relationships that are abominable, only to drive a Mercedes or get a Mink coat. I do what I do... as an adult... fully aware of my actions... and totally responsible for my behavior."
Richard Dreyfus plays the role of the public defendant, who reluctantly takes on the case in her defense, and yet becomes her confidant and the agent of change that helps this woman surface the shame of her past to become free of the burdens and liberated of the abuse inflicted on her as a child.
Without a doubt, if you want a film that produces deep conversations about troublesome topics... don't miss this film!
Movie Review: On my "A" list ! Barbra is one of my favorite performers !
Summary: 5 Stars
In this particular film, I was so thoroughly entertained and realized the scope and depth of the damage that a step parent can inflict on a vulnerable child. The consequences of the sexual abuse was the exact cause of how Barbra portrayed the character. This is an excellent example of what happens when this abuse is inflicted on a child. They are taught by the pedophile how to please and usually become very amorous, as a result of what they are taught.
The scope of the damage can and will cause the abused child to "act out" and the impact of what the abuser has done to the child can never be erased and/or disappear. It is the "best kept secret" in our society. The shame and guilt the child hides is something that haunts them the rest of their lives.
Barbra, in this film, portrayed the character perfectly and demonstrated the exact damage that occurred and how she re-acted to it, Richard, as her attorney, did a fabulous portrayal of a very savvy father and with no help from Barbra's character, ascertained very quickly what happened to her and cleverly extracted the information out of Karl Malden and the truth came out in a very affective way.
Brilliant performances by every actor involved in the film and all seasoned veterans in the film industry. In my opinion, they all deserved Academy Awards for the characters they portrayed.
I recommend that this film can and should be used as an educational tool for children who have been abused so they can see that they are not alone in this twisted, toxic sickness that is so firmly implanted in our society.
Kudos and accolades to everytone that was involved in the making of this film.
Movie Review: "Barbra's Most Underrated Movie"
Summary: 5 Stars
When "Nuts" was released in 1987 both critics and fans panned the film. Hardly a blockbuster, to me "Nuts" is the best acting that Barbra has ever done. Miss Streisand plays a high-class new York City prostitute who kills a john one night in self-defense. It is up to herself and her lawyer, played by Richard Dreyfuss, to keep her out of an insane asylym and prison. The supporting acting is headed by Karl Malden and Maureen Stapleton, who play Claudia's (the Streisand character) parents. While the story unfolds during the testimony by certain people, many secrets are revealed in reference to Claudia's past, and we discover why Claudia became a hooker. "Nuts" is extremely well-acted and the direction is top-notched by Martin Ritt. More than a coutroom drama, "Nuts" explores human emotions in its characters and delves beneath the surface of the film's inhabitants. Barbra Streisand has never acted in anything as jaw-dropping as this, and you will probably never look at her in the same light. It is a wonder she was never nominated for an Oscar for her splendid performance. The DVD comes with the trailer and partial commentary by Barbra on certain scenes.Movie Review: Is she Nuts?
Summary: 5 Stars
I had seen this movie years ago & just loved it so I bought it. Barbra Streisand is great in this movie. Richard Dreyfuss as usual is awesome. Without spoiling the movie for anyone, I really can't go into great details about this movie other than if you are a big fan of Barbra Streisand & Richard Dreyfuss I highly recommend this movie. Barbra gives a great performance as "Claudia" a neurotic, insecure, emotional rich "Call Girl" who has been charged with Manslaughter in the death of one of her johns. No words for Richards performance because what can you say? It's Richard Dreyfuss. He does great in anything. He plays "Aaron Leveninski" from Legal Aid, her tough, humerous, agitated attorney who was forced to represent her by the judge. You do question her sanity, but during the course of the hearing you will learn a great many things about Claudia that will give you the insight of why she is nuts & why she is not nuts. You decide. No more information from me. Buy the movie, it's worth it.