Customer Reviews

The Mirror Has Two Faces

5 star:		(62)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(16)

 

 

Streisand's third directorial effort was greeted with surprisingly vicious reaction from both fans and critics, nearly all of whom immediately labeled it as an over-the-top vanity piece. It also had considerable difficulty at the box office. After opening with strong numbers, the $45 million budgeted film took a nose dive and did not recover. It ended up taking in $46 million domestically ($65 million worldwide), which was a respectable take, but far from the blockbuster status of films like A STAR IS BORN or THE PRINCE OF TIDES. When considering all of the above information, it's a bit surprising to discover that the film is nothing more than an entertaining and heart-felt romantic comedy. In hindsight, it's hard to understand why a such a harmless and light-weight film became such a lighting rod for scathing reviews and harsh comments.

While the storyline is predictable, the movie is actually very well-done with a brisk pace, compelling characters, and a witty screenplay. The finale may come down a bit heavy-handed on the "message" end, but the build-up is effective enough to merit this indulgence. Though MIRROR doesn't match her previous two directorial efforts, Streisand does once again pull off the various actress/producer/director roles with great efficiently, and this results in an effective star vehicle for the then-54-year-old film legend. Jeff Bridges received a lot of flack for his completely unselfconscious portrayal, but I admire how completely he throws himself into the silly role. Lauren Bacall is brilliantly biting and luminous in her turn as Streisand's mother, a role that earned her first (and so far only) Oscar nomination. Mimi Rogers is also fun as Streisand's (...)younger sister, as is Brenda Vaccaro as her self-deprecating best friend - although Pierce Brosnan is wasted as a gigolo-like suitor. All in all, an enjoyably fluffy film, undeserving of the criticism it routinely receives.

About the DVD: This was one of Columbia's first DVD releases, and while the picture and sound quality are great, there are no extras and the menus are hideous.

Barbra Streisand is not dowdy, yet her perfection in assuming the role as a lonely, middle-aged woman (Rose) is flawless. Rose is an excellent and popular college teacher. She knows how to teach, the way to involve and enchant a rowdy class, and she would rather watch baseball than go on another "dead end" date.

Jeff Bridges (Greg) is the handsome, yet exceedingly boring teacher. Most of the students in his math classes sleep, pass notes, chat. He is a lonely man, but all of his interpersonal relationships end as the woman moves on. He believes it is because he chooses stunning woman and then becomes intimate. He decides to find a perfect mate, and the main criterion is that she be ugly. His campaign begins with an advertisement. Claire is Rose?s sister, and she responds to the ad as if she were Rose.

Rose lives with her mother Hanna Morgan, played by Lauren Bacall, who did receive an Oscar nomination for the role of a selfish, self-absorbed, snob. Hanna has kept Rose under her thumb and in her house, and always plays the "What will I do if...?" or "Would you really leave me?" card. Her performance is extraordinary because she undermined Rose to keep her taking care of mommy dearest, but it is subtle.

Streisand directed this film, and though it may appear to be a showcase for her many talents, there is a strong message. Do not settle. Never accept the belief that you are ugly, even though your Mom and others tell you, as they did her all of her life. You can always become the person you want to be.

Rose and Greg date and eventually marry, but the terms are no amorous encounters. For example on their wedding night, they watch TV and they sleep in twin beds. In growing closer and falling in love, Rose teaches Greg "how to teach" and they are constant companions. Rose believes she can settle for this lack of affection, but she is in love with her husband and is a very sensuous woman.

Even though I prefer action films, I loved this movie. It is one of the better "chick flicks." There is a powerful and tender scene between Rose and Hannah regarding a very old photo. The universality of the film ? you are valuable, just as you are, do not settle -- makes this a classic favorite.

Victoria Tarrani

While this movie will never win any acclaim or awards, it was a light romantic comedy that hit a home run with me. I liked Jeff Bridges and Barbara Streisand together. They were funny and had good rapport together on screen.

This movie is about what love and attraction should really be--friendship set on fire. Greg and Rose become friends with a strong emotional connection and because of that, the attraction develops. In the end he admits to her that he wanted her that "horrible night"--even before she remade herself. He fell in love with her inner beauty. He was just trying to live up to his theory about sex ruining things because he was afraid it would ruin the best relationship he had ever had with a woman. Rose had to remake herself and catch his attention and even leave him before he was willing to face the truth (we all know how dense men can be!). I found the movie quite entertaining. Lauren Bacall turns in a great performance as Rose's mother and as always Barbra looked great--no matter how frumpy she tried to be. A movie for anyone who loves a romantic comedy.

How seldom is it that we find a movie that delves into issues such as love verses insecurity and self image. The Mirror Has Two Faces is such a film. Barbra Streisand convincingly plays the romance professor who is unsure about her physical appearence and unaware of her beautiful personality. Jeff Bridges is a handsome math professor at the same university who has been screwed over several times by his lovers. Drawn together by fate, these two start out with a platonic relationship, only to realize that they are attracted to each other. Streisand finds her inner strength and beauty after her advances were denied and turns herself into what the media would define as a beautiful woman. What she must realize, and what Bridges's character must realize, is that beauty is from within.

Best line: What's the difference what I look like? You never looked at me anyhow.

Wow. God slam.

I really enjoyed this film and felt it was DEFINITELY not your regular cliched story of an ugly duckling transformation to pretty girl variety, nor should it be relegated to that category. It had several more layers to it than that, and people accustomed to watching a heartfelt, quality film would recognize that. In fact, I think the editorial viewer for this site who called it "self-absorbed" on Streisand's part, must have been watching another movie when he stated:

"Her character constantly gazes upon her own reflection and is told at least a dozen times, one way or another, just how attractive she is. One wants to shout out, we get it already--you're pretty!"

What was he talking about? The entire film had her mother and sister nagging her about her sloppy and ugly appearance and constantly telling her how unattractive she was! And the reason she was constantly gazing at the mirror at her face was because she was critiquing it! She was critical of her own appearance, because she didn't feel attractive. She was by no means gazing at her reflection out of vanity! That much was definitely clear to anybody who actually paid attention to the film. And by the way, in case anybody has skipped the title, it's called "The Mirror Has Two Faces", which explains the metaphor of her constantly looking in the mirror, and mirrors constantly being shown throughout the film even when she's not gazing into them, to demonsrate the symoblism of the film's title. The mirrors were certainly not there to demonstrate how beautiful Barbra Streisand was! On the contrary, it was pointing out that she was NOT the conventional beautiful woman (in contrast to Elle Macpherson's character).

Perhaps people's personal opinions about the actress interfere with their opinion on the film, which I really found to be exceptional. The issues the film addressed- a culture absorbed with perfection and external beauty-was very well incorporated into the film. I thought it was one of the more intelligent films I have seen in some time.

I have a knack for knowing whether I'll like a movie just by watching the trailer. I'm hardly ever wrong, so I didn't watch this movie when it came out.
It was one of those instances when a trailer turns out to be a wonderful movie's worst enemy, depicting it in such a light that I actually thought "Oh no, not another Barbra Streisand movie, where she weeps about how ugly she thinks she is, all the while making love to gorgeous men, and then the guy is unfaithful to her, please God no". I was traumatized by that movie of hers starring Robert Redford and nothing will induce me to watch anything like that again.

Having finally watched it, almost by accident on television, I think I like it much more than "The Prince of Tides", which I really loved. Her character is a wonderful, fascinating person, with a full life and great things to offer - who, among many other characteristics, also happens to feel lonely and inadequate at times, and has dreams about finding Prince Charming, no matter how late in life. I wish she was always this cool. She never gave me the feeling she was being full of herself, or neurotic about it in any way, not ever.

Jeff Bridges' character is a great guy, who is so damaged by prior relationships that he isn't thinking straight anymore. The way their love affair unravels is something to marvel at, it's so sensitive and clever.

It's a wonderful surprise for those who, like me, thought Streisand would never stop feeling sorry for herself.

My former hair stylist recommended this movie to me, and I bought it off her recommendation, and I haven't regretted the purchase.It is sooo sexy, that they didn't have to take off their clothes. It is one of my all time favorites and give it all thumbs up. Betty Bacall steals the show as the vain,manipulative mother. I was mad when they tried to control Rose's eating habits and all. Then Mimi Rogers describing without no shame of her fantasies on the lunch line gets a kick out of me. IT is good

I've never watched any other Barbra Streisand movies, and I don't listen to much of her music, but this movie struck a chord in me--I LOVE IT!

Lauren Bacall and Mimi Rogers really make the movie. They play Rose's (Barbra) extremely vain mother and sister, and they are truly funny. The movie is full of humor--not exactly high-brow, but well above the usual un-intelligent jokes in so many movies these days. The more I watch it, the more funny moments I catch!

There is some dialogue that gets a tad bit too deep for this movie, but it's limited enough that you may not even notice. Don't look to this movie for nuggets of infinite wisdom, but for a cozy night with popcorn and a blanket, it's a winner.

It's not for you if you don't like chick flicks. But if you have an affinity for corny, cute movies, this one might be for you! And finally, it hardly hurts to have Pierce Brosnan in the movie!

I adored this movie! maybe there were a few too many shots of Babs but it was really well done. I first saw it in the theatres and enjoyed it but a few days ago i rented it and i LOVED it! it was so nice to see a leading guy that cared more about what was inside a person then the package they came in. ("I don't care if you are pretty, I love you anyway!") Its a great movie to see if you are feeling insecure about the way you look or feel pressured to fit into society's mold for the "perfect" person I just wish guys like that existed where i lived but any way this movie is sweet and funny and just different enough from the normal romantic movie to be interesting. All I can say is that this is a great uplifting movie and to go see it as soon as you can