Customer Reviews

The Main Event [VHS]

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Firstly, lets clear up some misinformation from other reviewers. "The Main Event" WAS financially successful and was in the Top 10 of 1979! The soundtrack, with 3 verions of the title song went gold and "The Main Event/Fight" went to #3 on Billboard and went gold as well! Barbra actually sang this live in her recent "Timeless" concert and it was the highlight of the evening.
It can be very unfair to review comedies so many years after their release because humor does change. "The Main Event" was a sheer and fun delight in its time. It holds up quite nicely now and is not intended to be any great masterpiece of a film... just light and funny. It suceeds on both counts. I found Barbra funnier here than in "What's Up Doc?" where Madeline Kahn stole the show. After this film, it was basically "serious" Barbra from there on out. (Except for her very next film "All Night Long", also underappreciated!)In the AFI "Directors" series, Barbra comments that she should probably have done more comedies. I agree. She has exceptional timing. So to all the nay-sayers I say... lighten up!

Enjoyed it on the Big screen years ago when it first came out. Sometimes you wish you could watch the movies you loved from the past but they are not available for your personal collection. I always liked the paring of Ryan O'Neal and Barbara Streisand since I first saw them together in "What's Up Doc" Some movies just remind you of a time in your life and gives you a chance to remember when. I'm a fan of the movie.

The Main Event was the first Streisand picture I ever saw. I loved it at the theaters. But since then I've seen many more of her movies on VHS. I have to say it's a good film but not her best. I liked "Yentl" or "Owl & Pussycat" or "A Star Is Born" much better. Her acting is superb, so is Ryan's. But the storyline is a little weak compared to other movies she is in. I reccommend it its just not her very best movie.

THIS FILM ABOUT AN EX-BOXER (O'neil) AND A BANCRUPT EXECUTIVE (STRIESAND) IS REALLY A GOOD THING TO WATCH. THEIR CHEMISTRY REALLY WORKS IN THIS FILM.THEIR NEVER ENDING ARGUEMENTS SERVES AS A SPICE TO ENHANCE THE ROMANTIC AND COMEDIC APPEAL OF THIS FILM.NOT TO MENTION THE SCENE STEALING PART OF D'ARBANVILLE AS THE WOMAN WHO HAS A BAD COUGH.BUT THE CENTER OF THIS FILM IS STILL REVOLVING AROUND THE BIG MOUTHED STRIESAND WHO ONCE AGAIN PROVE THAT SHE REALLY IS THE "FUNNY GIRL".WETHER YOU'RE AN STRIESAND FAN OR NOT THIS MOVIE WILL SURELY MAKE YOU LAUGH HARD OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

"The Main Event" featured the reunion of Barbra and Ryan O'Neal after the two appeared in the mega hit "What's Up Doc?" a few years prior. The script is pretty lame, but funny at the same time. It deals with Barbra's character discovering she is broke, but she soons discovers her money-grabbing accountant who left her destitute bought her a boxer played by Ryan. She believes if she can get this guy to win in the ring she will regain her fortune.

The movie, although panned by critics, became one of the highest-grossing films of 1979 (finishing in the Top 10) and grossing nearly $50,000,000. There was also a soundtrack that came out with the movie and featured Barbra's first foray into disco with the title track called "The Main Event/Fight".

The product came right on schedule and it was in great condition just like the vendor said. I was very pleased & would highly would recomend this vendor !!

Julie - MO

Just as good a movie as it was the first time I seeen it years ago. Fun, and agood story line. Can be considered more of a chick flick like most of Striesands movies.