The Main Event

I don't know why but I thoroughly enjoyed this watching it as a child. Now looking at it as an adult I liked it a little less. The humor still stands up but the action parts look sloppy and unreal. Plot was great I just felt characters weren't built up enough and needed more fight scenes to see how the fighter develops skill wise. It's just too bad because it could have been a great film.

Reuniting seven years after What's Up, Doc?, Barbra Streisand and Ryan O'Neal play a boxer and manager in the aptly titled The Main Event. If you're having trouble picturing Barbra as a boxing manager, don't worry. She only takes that job as a last-ditch effort to get her money back after losing her fortune, and she isn't supposed to know the ropes-no pun intended.

Of course, since this is a comedy, Ryan and Barbra fall in love while she's training him. It's a classic case of love-at-first-hate for the pair, so if you like that sort of banter, you'll probably like this classic '70s romantic comedy. As for me, I'm more than happy to watch this movie anytime because of the fabulous title song - one of my favorite Barbra tunes!

For everyone who saw "What's Up, Doc?", starring both Miss Streisand and Mister O'Neal, this film is a real dandy. I love the way Babs just keeps talking and is SO high strung throughout the movie (but then again, when isn't she?) The chemistry between the two leads is very real and believable. This film does not set out to give you a huge statement, it is simply meant to make you laugh, have fun and love Babs, and that it certainly will. The end song "The Main Event/Fight" sung by Miss Streisand is a showstopper.

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 on screen. 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.

I have to ask how do you get a job like Ryan O'Neal had. Imagine a promising fighter who injures his hand and doesn't box for four years. But he and trainer Whitman Mayo live on the arm and just show up and hang out at a gym for with all their living expenses paid and are on salary. It's all because perfume tycoon Barbra Streisand is using this as one of many tax dodges set up by her manager.

But said manager has up and fled the country taking his clients assets except for O'Neal. So now O'Neal has to fight in earnest because Barbra is broke and the gravy train is over. Barbra having nothing else to do becomes O'Neal's manager.

Like that old line about 'Ginger Rogers running the Brooklyn Dodgers' from Hollywood Hotel that sums up the comedy in The Main Event which is what Streisand and O'Neal are striving for. She's just a fish out of water. But dare I say it because Barbra hates him, but her character shows a Trump like ability to garner free publicity. And ballyhoo is an integral part of boxing.

Taking up where they left off from What's Up Doc, Streisand and O'Neal have a well meshed chemistry. Have to also give big kudos to James Gregory as the Mike Jacobs like fight promoter who knows box office when he sees it.

Funniest scenes in the film are at O'Neal's training camp where Barbra is trying very hard to fit into this most masculine of worlds. Not an easy fit by any means.

The Main Event is a fun film, the only comedy I can recall about boxing.