ada the leading man is my tpye

Solemplex To me, this movie is perfection.

Stellead Don't listen to the Hype. It's awful

filippaberry84 I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

SnoopyStyle Production assistant Jeff Brooks (Arye Gross) tries to convince Dixie Leonhard (Bette Midler) to join Eddie Sparks (James Caan) on his TV special. Dixie is bitter and recounts her history with Eddie. During WWII, Dixie is overjoyed to sing with Eddie. On the other hand, he is dismissive at first and angry at her crude humor. Art Silver (George Segal) convinces them to be an entertainment duo. Dixie's husband gets killed in the war. During Korea, they get caught up in the fighting. Art is blacklisted and Eddie is forced to fire him. Dixie's son Danny starts rebelling and sees Eddie as a father figure. Danny joins the military for Vietnam and Dixie blames Eddie for his lost.The construction is very flat and biopic-like. The problem is that it's not a biography and it doesn't have that extra appeal. There is very little intensity and the drama has no tension. The central conflict centers on Danny and yet he is no more than a prop. This movie should be mostly about the conflict between Eddie and Dixie over Danny. That's the only place where the drama has any tension.

ascalleywagge This was a fantastic movie and the score which I have on CD is one of the best. The chemistry between Midler and Caan is electric. Bette is in her element and the songs are classic. Jimmy Caan was fabulous as Eddie. Caan can hold his own with actresses Midler in this movie and with Kathy Bates in "Misery." I wish the movie would have more airplay on cable especially given the fact that the US troops are in military op currently. Regardless of whether we should be fighting or whether we should not be, the movie has lots of heart and it's for the boys (and girls)who serve. Has anyone seen the movie on cable lately? I am quite surprised that this movie has not scored higher in the ratings. This is a movie I would pay to watch in theatres today! We could use the good wishes for our troops these days.

kmarquis-2 I thought this movie was a 10+! The flashback format is interesting and watching the characters' lives and attitudes progress through the present-day Dixie's reminiscences. This is why it is puzzling to me that another person's comment contained the following criticism in regards to Bette's character Dixie: "She is perhaps nave and oblivious to what war is about and maybe even thinks it's just one big party and nobody really dies or suffers. By the end when she goes to Vietnam she is a vulgar, disgusting, embittered slob who harbors some anger that the GIs no longer swoon over her as they did a quarter of a century or so earlier. The GI's are of a different generation and she can't relate to them or why they have the attitude they do. She is perhaps also angry with herself for not being able to be enthused about performing for the fighting men of this war the way she was years ago. How does she end up like this?"Huh??? Dixie was an angry, embittered woman because Eddie Sparks sold out on her uncle! Her volatile reaction to his betrayal begins the systematic annihilation of her career. She didn't want to go on tour with him and only did so because he talked her into it, "For the Boys"!If anything, it is Eddie Sparks who is oblivious to the changes of the times during the Vietnam war and is unable to make the leap from the USO tours of the previous wars to this strange and confusing part of our history and it is Dixie who takes control of the out-of-hand situation in her inimitable style by getting the rowdy soldiers back in line and then not only sings them the quintessential song of the era, but caps her low-key performance with the peace sign! My god, SHE was the one who was truly in tune with the confusion these soldiers were experiencing!So, I have to ask...did we see the same movie?

lahabana51 I lost count of the times I watched this movie in the span of three weeks. Where I was when this movie was released I wondered? I knew about the film, what was I thinking? What was I doing? Oh forgot, gave birth to my daughter, no excuse.I was born in 1951 and romanticized the 40's for most of my 20's. What did I like about this movie you ask? Let me count the ways. The realism portrayed in the RSO tours. It spans World War II, Korea and Vietnam with uncanny sensitivity. Of special note is a scene when Midler and Caan are at the side of a dying solder.George Segal is as I always find him, UNBELIEVABLY talented and entertaining. His co-writer, Loretta is wonderful with her hip slinging quips. Best line in the movie is hers "What will it take for you to give me a kiss?" A pause she replies "Chloroform." This is the type of humor of the 40's rarely found in films, other than Neil Simon plays. In fact this film is full of quips. I find myself looking for incidences on a daily basis enabling me to draw from the millions of one liners in this screen script.The music or better yet the selection of music is perfect! And then of course, there is Bette. The film is made in 1991, Bette was born in 1945. Do the math, she looks fabulous, to me she is at her best. Not just in the looks department it's the command and ease she displays in her role.James Caan how difficult was it for him to play someone so close in character to himself? I'm sure difficult, because his performance grabs you. You really care about the Solid Gold, World Class, Son of a Bitch (Bette's words not mine. See what I mean?).There is nothing I did not like about this movie. Not true, the main characters did not speak for 25 years. It was tragic but understandable and real. All the more reason for me to love the story and it's characters.It's excellent and I recommend it to all Midler fans everywhere. Bette I've been away for too long but never to stray again. Can't wait to purchase the DVD and CD of this movie. Also looking forward to her latest release of Peggy Lee songs. A perfect match of talents, kudos to you Ms. Midler.