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Barbra Streisand returned to amped-up comedy form (following her work in Herbert Ross's sharp, unsentimental The Owl and the Pussycat and Peter Bogdanovich's screwball homage, What's Up, Doc?) in this nutty 1974 feature by Peter Yates (Bullitt, Breaking Away). Playing a Brooklyn housewife so dedicated to her cabdriver husband (Michael Sarrazin) she'll do anything to help him get ahead, Streisand's character--with the impossible name of Henry--secretly borrows three thousand dollars from a loan shark so hubby can play the stock market. When an expected windfall doesn't happen, Henry becomes frantically inventive trying to raise the money to pay the shark back. Originally called July Pork Bellies (a reference to commodities futures that makes sense in the context of this story), For Pete's Sake doesn't really measure up to the aforementioned Streisand comedies, but there are certainly solid moments and individual performances to single out for praise. (Among the latter is wonderful character work by Molly Picon, Estelle Parsons, and William Redfield.) Director Yates, as has often been the case, didn't quite get his head around this sort of broad material; as comedy goes, he has proven more adept with sweeter, droller films such as Breaking Away. Despite all that, true Streisand fans will not let this get away without a look. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews

17 Reviews

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

Average Customer Review

3.1 out of 5 stars (17 customer reviews)

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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Barbra Arrives on DVD, April 6, 2001

By

Matt Howe "outloud98" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE) (REAL NAME)

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This review is from: For Pete's Sake (DVD)

It's nice to see more Barbra Streisand titles appearing on DVD. FOR PETE'S SAKE has arrived and although it is not one of Streisand's "classic" films, it is certainly entertaining -- and the DVD makes this 1970's film look great!

For starters, the disk comes with a letterbox presentation on one side and a full-screen presentation on the other. The menu is colorful and a funky 1970's design. The trailers included (WAY WE WERE, PRINCE OF TIDES, and the PETE'S trailer) are interesting. The Talent Files are brief. The colors and clarity of the picture look great to me.

As for the film, Barbra is very funny. She's in her fast-talking Brooklynese mode here. The plot is barely realistic, but that doesn't really matter because this is a romantic, screwball comedy. Actually, when you think about it, the story of a wife who prostitutes herself to pay for a loan is quite horrendous. But director Peter Yates somehow makes you forget this -- in his commentary (an extra audio track on the disk) he keeps saying "This movie is entertainment, it's supposed to be fun and not taken seriously."

Barbra sings the title song (the lyrics are a bit dated, but the song is fun) and wears a short Jon Peters-designed wig. Look for Barbra's longtime manager Marty Erlichman in a cameo. Also, praise should be given to Gene Callahan's production design. Streisand's apartment (although clearly out of her character's means) is gorgeous!

My favorite scene is when Barbra gets licked by the bull while driving a trailer. Barbra's laughs of disgust and amazement are quite hilarious.

Enjoy FOR PETE'S SAKE!

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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite Streisand comedy, March 3, 2000

By

Bob Waskiewicz (Wintersville, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews

I just love this movie.It's still funny after 25 years.The best part is when the Bull and Cows run right through the Movie screen during the Western,and Barbra's shouting,"Girls,come back here." I love Mrs Cherry,and Barbra's try at being one of her call girls.Not only is Streisand one of the greatest singers will ever know,but a great comedian as well. Along with"The Owl and the Pussycat," this is my favorite Barbra Streisand comedy.

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars a must see for babs fans & those who love early 70s flicks., October 10, 1999

By A Customer

I have been looking for this video everywhere. I saw the movie years ago and have fond memories of the slap-stick humor of this and other early Streisand movies. (ie: What's up Doc? ) Maybe its the storyline in which young people, in love, struggle with day to day life in the big city and come upon a winfall fortune that enables them to make their dreams come true, riding off into the sunset to live happily ever after....pure escapism at its best...I loved it. HOW ABOUT A SEQUEL? ...but not one that takes itself too seriously, rather, one that is retro to the early, carefree, funny and very entertaining Streisand movies.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars For Pity's Sake!

For such a little movie, there's so much to say. Warning to Barbraphiles: Much of it won't be complimentary! Read more

Published 2 months ago by Jobie

2.0 out of 5 stars On a night when you have nothing else to do..........
Personally, I wasn't impressed with the flow of the movie. Barbara, of course, was superior even in her early career. Read more

Published on November 16, 2007 by Person

3.0 out of 5 stars For Fun's Sake!
Streisand fans have to have this film, in letterbox even. It's a fast paced, fitfully funny and fun, fun, fun movie with Streisand's Henrietta (Henry) playing a homemaker married... Read more