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"Up the Sandbox" could be a bigger classic if it had a better development of its ideas while telling the near-crazed ramblings of a neurotic housewife (Barbra Streisand) who has an emotional breakdown that shelters her from reality, shifting from delusional grandiosity to the real chaos of dealing with husband (David Selby), kids, a dominating mother (Jane Hoffman), and helpless friends. Irvin Kershner's film doesn't have a fine balance between comedy and drama, and we depend so much on an unreliable and frustrated lead character that there are times it's difficult to know what exactly does she want from life and relationships, what's real and what's not. I'd like to imagine what Woody Allen would turn if having the chance to direct this material (pity he only deals with his own material).

It's not a total mess since there are noble messages intertwined through it all, and there are moments of true brilliance (the exchange between Barbra and her husband's lover was hilarious as both women accept the fact of one another), wild mayhem (Fidel Castro becoming a female with a world domination where women rule the world), and pure outrageous fun (her parents anniversary being ruined because she refused to give the only thing her mother wanted in order to be truly happy).

If the lady's wildest dreams are fun to watch despite some nightmarish bits, the reality of it all is unappealing and nothing gets solved.

The film's idea seems to defend that once a woman gets married her dreams and wishes are inexistent as she needs to accomodate her family before herself, and to fight such notion are pointless and selfish acts. Her only comfort comes from dreams where she rejects the possibility of having a third kid, or finding solutions to improve the female cause, or commit a random terrorist attack on the Statue of Liberty. We keep waiting, with anxious hopes, that one day she'll wake up and finally act, do something different. But at the end of it all, there's no pay-off to her situation and it's frustrating - sure it can be said it was a realistic portrayal of its period and that audiences of then should know how to change such scenario.

By itself, I tried to like it but couldn't. If comparing a key scenario, the theme was better presented in "Diary of a Mad Housewife" (to Kerhsner's film disadvantage, I saw the other film a few days earlier and it stayed in my head). A few points from that film: worst husband, worst kids and the woman's little relief was having an affair with a careless chauvinist lover. Here, Barbra's dream of another man in her life comes with the presence of a charming university teacher and even that slight chance of affair is ruined because his date invitation for both was attending the Castro political meeting where she cried against his revolution. Had not seen "Diary of..." it might impact less the difficulties I had with this one, and it'd become something manageable.

Fine performances all around, but nothing so outstanding that requires new viewers to it. You won't be missing much, except for the really funny sequences. 5/10.

This is one of Barbra Streisand's funniest films, if not the funniest.

This comedy, about a young woman's plight about whether she should tell her husband she is pregnant, has more weight than most of today's dramas and more imagination and humor than Woody Allen's last three features combined. The character she plays is an indominitable spirit who seems to use her imagination to survive in a very dark world, and the very bleak situation she finds herself in. It is very hard to tell exactly when the line between fantasy and reality has been crossed in many of the scenes, which makes a point about the world on its own. This movie was years ahead of its time and remains fresher than any modern comedy to date. It also holds up as well after the tenth viewing as it does after the first, because of the number of surreal vignettes, poignant moments, and Barbra's performance.

A must-see for any comedy fan, and a Streisand fan should run out immediately and rent it; you'll be kicking yourself not to have seen it before. The movie stands on its own as a testament to the human mind and spirit in the face of all circumstances.

This is One of Barbra's finest movies and, ironicly, did the poorest at the box office. After playing larger than life characters in her last 5 films, here Barbra plays a "normal", regular human being. A bored New York housewife who uses daydreams to escape from her unfullfulling life. There are many touching and heartfelt moments in this film, as well as very funny ones. It is a comedy/drama with depth and dimmensions. In one scene Barbra stands up to Fidel Castro with her views on womanhood and war.Yet, a little later the two have a hystericly funny scene where he reveals a "secret" to her. Barbra stands up to her domineering mother,unexpectedly, at her parents anniversary party, and...lets just say that someone ends up with something other than egg, on their face! The moments where Barbra is washing and lovingly taking care of her children, as well as the moments where she is in an abortion clinic pondering her thoughts, are heartfelt indeed. A wonderfully different and heartfelt, funny movie. I highly recommend it.

This film is one of those 70's efforts that doesn't get any great credence. Any fan of Ally McBeal would surely tip their hats to the blend of imagination and reality. This has some very prophetic moments and still stands up today. It is testament to a time when risks were taken in film making rather than today's option of remakes and rewrites. Top marks for originality and Streisand. Give it a chance. May all your films be winners - AP

In this small, unknown gem from 1972, Barbra Streisand plays Margaret Reynolds. Margaret is a bored housewife who wishes to do more than what her life holds for her. She has two children and a loving husband Paul (played by "Dark Shadows'" David Selby,) but its not enough. She finds out that she is carrying a third child and is scared of what might happen when she tells Paul. He feels the world is overcrowded as it is and that it would be wrong to bring another child into it. So, Margaret escapes into her fantasy life. The fantasies range from confronting the woman whom she believes is sleeping with her husband (good scene,) to interviewing Fidel Castro (which ultimatelky unvails his "secreet,") to slamming her mother's face into an anniversary cake!

All in all, the film is incredible. The only negative aspect would be the loss of so many scenes which leads the viewer to sometimes take a moment to catch back up with the fact that she is in her fantasy world. Not quite as gritty as the novel (not once does she mention wanting to leave her son at the playground or drop him on his head!,) but still a definite must see.

Overall rating: A-