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"Nuts" |
DVD Review/July 2003 |
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In one of her finest dramatic performance, Barbra Streisand stars in the
film,, "Nuts," released on DVD for the very first time.
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Fresh Commentary
July 1, 2003
What can be said about Barbra Streisand's Nuts?
It has a riveting screenplay by Tom Topor.
It contains the most impressive ensemble cast of any Streisand picture ever.
It deals brilliantly with an issue most filmmakers would find difficult to
tackle.
It is arguably the finest dramatic performance of Barbra Streisand's career.
So
when Warner Home Video finally decided to release Nuts, viewers should
have expected something quite special. And that's exactly what they got. The new
DVD release not only presents the film in a magnificent widescreen format with
exceptional video and sound quality, but the inclusion of Barbra's full-length
feature commentary makes watching Nuts a newfound revelation. Streisand's
analytical comments throughout the feature, including her own recollections of
the filmmaking process, add a new and exciting dimension for viewers who have
seen the film before. It provides an insightful understanding of an all
too serious subject for first time viewers, too.
In discussing the taboo issues of mental illness and incest, Barbra's
examination is quite perceptive; especially her view of the treatment
institutionalized patients receive in a mired system of indifferent
professionals. One of the key messages that the film successfully brings out is
that all individuals have rights worth defending, a theme prevalent in both
Barbra's professional and personal lives. It's no wonder, then, that her
voice-over commentaries are so profound.
The cast of Nuts is stellar. Maureen Stapleton's portrayal of a mother
out of touch with her own family's turbulence is some of the best acting in the
film. Similarly, Richard Dreyfuss's performance as the public defender who
successfully champions a seemingly insurmountable social cause is unparalleled
in his career. Karl Malden, Eli Wallach, James Whitmore and Robert Webber each
bring dramatic prowess to their performances as well. But it is Barbra
Streisand's portrayal of the institutionalized victim that carries the picture.
It is a career defining role and a real tour-de-force for Streisand.
With such dynamic
character portrayals by
the entire cast of Nuts,
one begs to ask the question: Where were the Oscar nominations? Nuts
deserved
better
recognition
back
in
1987.
A film
of
this
exceptional
caliber
has
rarely
been
duplicated
in
Hollywood. |
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