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17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
glorious return to the classic musical, May 2, 2001
This made-for-TV version of the classic Broadway show GYPSY is remarkable. It sticks primarily to what to see if you were in a theatre. The show is essentially what you would see if you were on Broadway. Bette Midler is dynamite as Mama Rose, the ultimate stage mother. She reportedly recorded most of her songs live, without the pre-recorded vocal track. The role had been a dream of Midler's for years. She makes an indelible impression in the role. Cynthia Gibb (THE KAREN CARPENTER STORY) plays Louise, who would blossom into the burlesque stripper Gypsy Rose Lee. She has a pleasant singing voice and charming acting style. She has been highly acclaimed for her performance here. Peter Riegert plays Herbie, Rose's love interest. In a very under-developed and not very well-written role, Riegert tries his best. He also sings wonderfully. In supporting roles are Jennifer Beck as June, Christine Ebersole as Tessie Tura, Anna McNeely as Elektra, Linda Hart as Mazeppa, and Jeffrey Broadhurst as Tulsa. A glittering, lavish, explosive production that can be revisited again and again.
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16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
What the show deserves, May 17, 2000
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.
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9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A triumph for Midler & a return to the Broadway masterpiece., July 26, 2001
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.
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