Product Details

• Actors: Barbra Streisand, Ryan O'Neal, Paul Sand, Whitman Mayo, Patti D'Arbanville
• Directors: Howard Zieff
• Writers: Andrew Smith, Gail Parent
• Producers: Barbra Streisand, Howard Rosenman, Jeff Werner, Jon Peters, Renée Missel
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Original recording reissued, NTSC
• Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Warner Home Video
• VHS Release Date: April 6, 1999
• Run Time: 112 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0790740699
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #296,033 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Comedic misfire from the mid-1970s in a futile attempt to bottle the same lightning that struck when Barbra Streisand teamed with Ryan O'Neal in What's Up, Doc? Here, Streisand plays a spoiled rich girl, the head of a bankrupt cosmetics company, who discovers she's lost everything--except her ownership of the contract of a washed-up boxer (O'Neal, known for his combative nature offscreen). So she tries to rally this dispirited pug into a comeback that will earn the kinds of purses that will put her back on her feet. Naturally, in the process romantic sparks are kindled. But despite a loud and energetic performance by Streisand, this Howard Zieff comedy doesn't add up to much. --Marshall Fine

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Much better than it's reputation, April 7, 2005

By 

Robert Johnson (Richmond, KY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Main Event (DVD)

This film was a major hit upon release in the summer of `79. With a budget seven-million-dollars, the film took in over $40 million at the domestic box office and became one of the top-ten grossers of the year. Unfortunately, it has since been written off by many fans and critics alike as one of Streisand's weakest film efforts. As for myself, I believe THE MAIN EVENT manages to be likable, funny, and entertaining. Even though we've seen the same story a thousand times before, THE MAIN EVENT is very enjoyable while it's playing.

The scenes are all set up very well, the one-liners are funny ("I said celebrate, not fornicate "), and Streisand and O'Neal give off a strong sexual charge between them onscreen. The film also features a very strong supporting cast, with Paul Sand, Whitman Mayo, and Patti D'Arbanville turning in terrific performances. Unfairly mangled by most critics and many viewers (many of whom need to learn how to loosen up), the film is complete fun from start to finish. Ignore all of the naysayers, THE MAIN EVENT stands one of my favorite romantic comedies.

About the DVD: The picture quality is great, and the mono sound is fine as well. It's great to have the original trailer and the 19-minute television special, titled GETTING IN SHAPE FOR THE MAIN EVENT, preserved on disc, although Streisand's brief audio commentary is slightly disappointing.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Streisand, May 20, 2005

By 

Randi T. Grogan-Fader "Randi Theresa Grogan-M... (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Main Event (DVD)

I have been a fan of Barbra Streisand it seems like forever. My aunt Dee Knuckles who had the only womans boxing team in San Pedro, CA. was the boxing consultant for Barbra in the Fabulously Funny "The Main Event". I can remember going with my aunt to see Barbra and Ryan at the Auditorium in LA, seems like just yesterday. The major highlight of this film is when Barbra sings "The Main Event" absolutely takes your breath away. This movie is fabulous. Way to go Barbra.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars She cant make a bad movie., October 19, 2003

By 

Teri (San Antonio, Texas USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Main Event (DVD)

It has been quite a while since i have actually seen The Main Event but i have been trying to find it in the stores on video for quite a long time. I can remember loving the movie. There was a lot of screeming and yelling...but isnt that what boxers do. I thought the way they pick on each other is cute. I thought Barbra was precious. It is one of those movies that you come out feeling good which is hard to find these days.