Yentl (1983)
Beyond bad. It would be difficult to choose a low point among Barbra Streisand’s acting, directing, and writing. A preposterous story, made absurd with uninspired songs and unrealistic actions.
* (out of *****)
©2023 David R. George III
1983 • 2 HOURS, 13 MINUTES
LADBROKE • BARWOOD FILMS • UNITED ARTISTS
STARRING
• BARBRA STREISAND, MANDY PATINKIN
ALSO STARRING
• AMY IRVING, NEHEMIAH PERSOFF, STEVEN HILL, ALLAN CORDUNER
WRITTEN BY
• JACK ROSENTHAL AND BARBRA STREISAND (SCREENPLAY BY)
• ISAAC BASHEVIS SINGER (BASED ON THE SHORT STORY “YENTL, THE YESHIVA BOY” BY)
DIRECTED BY
• BARBRA STREISAND
1983 ACADEMY AWARDS (1)
• BEST SCORE
ADDITIONAL 1983 ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS (4)
• BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: AMY IRVING (LOST TO LINDA HUNT FOR THE YEAR OF LIVING DANGEROUSLY)
• BEST ART DIRECTION-SET DECORATION (LOST TO FANNY OCH ALEXANDER [FANNY AND ALEXANDER])
• BEST ORIGINAL SONG: “PAPA, CAN YOU HEAR ME?” (LOST TO “FLASHDANCE…WHAT A FEELING“ FROM FLASHDANCE)
• BEST ORIGINAL SONG: “THE WAY HE MAKES ME FEEL” (LOST TO “FLASHDANCE…WHAT A FEELING“ FROM FLASHDANCE)
