Yentl

"Yentl" is Barbra Streisand's adaption of an Issac Bashevis Singer short story. Set in Eastern Europe at the turn of the century, it tells the story of a woman who must disguise herself as a man in order to study scripture. Along the way she falls in love with a fellow student, Avigdor, who is engaged to be married. Due to a family secret he is prevented from doing so by the bride's father. In a desperate bid to keep him from leaving, Yentl, now known as Anshel, marries her instead.

The story has been modified for the film in that the role of Yentl is somewhat older and her internal dialogue is fleshed out in the form of songs. A sort of musical narrative solely from her perspective.

The opening song "Where Is It Written", the soulful "Papa, Can You Hear Me?", "The Way He Makes Me Feel" and the closing "A Piece of Sky" are some of the stand-out performances. This is Streisand's first directing effort and she was the first woman to win a Golden Globe for it. She pulls solid performances from everyone and tells her story with a fresh sense of style rarely seen in film today. There are moments when Streisand lingers a bit long to make sure you "feel" what she is trying to convey. Her subsequent directorial efforts, the 1991 "The Prince of Tides" and the 1996 "The Mirror Has Two Faces" are more fluid. Avigdor's concern over his affection for "Anshel" is not adequately explored, but the "girl marries girl" theme is approached with great humor and tact.

For music fans, check out the "Yentl Medley" from the 1994 "Barbra - The Concert" and the soundtrack album, which contains studio versions of "The Way He Makes Me Feel" and 'No Matter What Happens". Her 1991 box set "Just For the Record" includes "The Moon and I" which was written for this film but never used.

At the end, Streisand dedicates this film to her father, and all our fathers... I'm sure he would be very proud.

*Academy Award for Best Score* *Grammy nominations for TWO songs*

"Yentl" as a very impressive film. Watching it it is hard to believe that it was made by a first time feature film director.

People hate this film because Barbra is in it. She is wonderful. I get tired of hearing people say that "Barbra was too old" for the role. Well she doesn't play "Yentl" that was from the short story. She plays Yentl in her 30's. HEr father from the book is even aged by 20 years.

The story of this film is that the main character has a thirst for learning. After her father's death she disguises herself as a man so she continue her studies in a time where women's higher education was forbidden.

Yentl then falls in love with a man who unknown to him that his new best friend happens to be a woman.

My only problem with this film is that it is a little long but it is never boring. In my opinion if this film was directed by a man we would still be singing the films praises today.

I recommend you see this movie if only for the singing at the end! It is wonderful! I am only a new-comer to Streisand movies, but I loved her in 'The Mirror Has Two Faces', and 'The Prince of Tides'. I saw the end of 'Yentl' when it was on TV a few months ago and absolutely loved the singing, and after seeing 'The Prince of Tides', I had to borrow it out just to see another Streisand movie! 'Yentl' is inspirational, and the singing is great! I recommend it!

I'll be the first to admit that Barbra Streisand is not my favorite performer--I can take her or leave her, depending on my mood. However, I enjoyed Yentl immensely, despite its flaws.

First of all, the music is magnificent. Michel Legrand wrote songs that are both perfect for the movie and can be taken out of context as concert material (some of them, anyway--"Papa, Can You Hear Me?" is somewhat of a stretch). However, I was supremely disappointed that Mandy Patinkin doesn't sing a note in this movie. Obviously, the movie was meant for Barbra--it was HER baby--but still. Why cast Mandy as your leading man (and he was very appealing, I must say) in a "movie-musical" and not write a single song for him? Gah.

And to everyone who says that the movie is not credible because Barbra could never pass as a man, I say listen to the soundtrack. There's a lyric in "Tomorrow Night" (the one about her wedding to Hadass) that says "They may have eyes but they don't see,/They never really look at me./People are blind!/How else would everyone believe me?" Yentl didn't think that her plan would ever work, but people are easily deceived by her man's clothing.

Anyway. I liked this movie very much, and I certainly recommend it, but I can see how, if one can't stomach Barbra Streisand, it might be a bit jarring and obnoxious.

You may love her or hate but the truth should be admitted - Streisand is an extremely talented artist. "Yentl' is her baby of directing, producing, co-writing and starring as a girl who wants to study and become a rabbi and who has to disguise herself as a boy to be accepted in a college. Streisand had fought the studio for 15 years to get it made, and she put her heart into this. Barbra is a gifted director, and the film is beautifully shot. I liked her acting - I thought she was convincing and touching when her character started to fall in love with a fellow student (very appealing Mandy Patinkin, "Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father: prepare to die" of "The Princess Bride") and had to hide her feelings. I also like her singing and I think that the songs belong to the film and can not be taken out of the context.

7.5/10