Billy Crystal: 700 Sundays

First of all, I am not a fan and I found this brilliant. Not perfect, as some very dignified reviewers seemed to have asked for, but brilliant. It has better parts and weaker parts, now he delivers amazing timing and physical comedy, then he flirts rather annoyingly with the camera. The show has some vulgar bits (not even close to some of today's disgusting stand-up 'stars') and also some touching bits, sure, but that's how life is, too. The silent movie scene was wildly hilarious, while some of the sad parts prove he's not a drama actor. Anyway, this is a honest take and I will forgive even his poses for the camera for the sake of one of them (I don't remember where it occurs): it pictured perfectly the bittersweet and almost touching humor of the poor Jewish folks or of any people forced to deal with a hard life in a subdued, non-grandiloquent way.

I thought gosh nearly 2 hours ,it's a marathon. But the genius of Billy Crystal takes over and it's compelling, I kept thinking don't stop Billy and the only thing I can say is I love you Billy and your life is unbelievable but your comedic genius will live on. I first saw you in 'Soap' and couldn't wait for your schtickl the Curly western's loved them, the famous Harry met Sally scene, the comedic elf that makes us laugh Anyone who is a Billy Crystal fan this show is a must, people who are less familiar are going to love watching a person expose his honesty ,pain, humor and love to the world

Crystal delivers a heartfelt and craftfully put together story of his fairytale upbringing and early adulthood. Along the way we get a history lessons, almost Forest Gump like, of the greatest characters in jazz and baseball from the 50s and 60s. Around the middle of the 2-hr long show Crystal delivers an unforgetable silent movie rendition of a barbeque party at his house that will literally make you Rolling On The Floor Laughing. Crystal is one of the most clever and creative comedians ever, and this show should be on your short list of things to see before you die. Brilliant, just brilliant.

I've been a fan of Billy Crystal for many years. Not just a comedian and actor but a real story teller, giving us an incredible tour of his life from childhood to today and the family that is so much of who he is. I was laughing one minute, crying the next, then laughing again. His love of jazz, baseball and comedy were so well punctuated throughout, as you listen to him you personally reflect on the things that are important in your own life, the things you love, family and friends. I was most moved by the relationship with his father and how he would so wonderfully talk about the good and the bad. This is a must see and thanks to HBO for mounting this production. And for the man himself, pure genius. Bravo Mr. Crystal, BRAVO!

Unabashedly sentimental, at moments arguably too shticky, but there's a lot of heart and laughs, along with a good set of smiles in Billy Crystal's one-man show remembering his youth, especially the 700 Sundays he had with his father before his untimely death.

From the telling, Crystal had a remarkable childhood, and came from a remarkable family. His father owned a music store and promoted concerts, and knew and was loved by many of jazz's all time greats. His family come off as sweet if eccentric. As related here, this was a family without many of the painful skeletons in their closets that most of us grew up with. It's sort of the Jewish version of Norman Rockwell's America, but I don't mean that as a put down. Crystal seems to truly appreciate the blessings he's had, and to honor and love the people who made him who he is. He doesn't deny that life can be painful, but that doesn't mean for a second he's going to say it's not wonderful and worthwhile.

If a few moments of emotion feel forced in the unforgiving close up lens of a camera, there's a lot that ring true, no matter that Crystal has performed variations of this monologue on stage hundreds of times.