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United KingdomWhat's so bad about Up The Sandbox?
Big Fan
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 31
United Kingdom
Thursday, October 15, 2009 - 21:04
What's so bad about Up The Sandbox?
When Barbra appeared on Jonathan Ross (BBC/UK), the conversation touched on Up The Sandbox. When Barbra asked him what he thought of it, he replied, “I thought it was bonkers…”
Now Wossy is a good fella, and a real Streisand admirer, therefore I thought he may have said he ‘appreciated’ the movie.
I think its main problem is that it tends to loose the viewer on occasion when Barbra's character, Margaret, veers off into one of her many fantasies. They appear and carry us off without warning, and at times it can be hard to differentiate between Margaret’s reality and her rich fantasy life.
However, since its release with narration by Barbra (and the director) the entire movie opened up for me and I discovered a really smart, little ahead of its time, bold film. A film that may demand a little of its audience, but also gives it credit for being able to think & understand.
In all, it’s real score is Barbra achievments. Considering her life is a world away from someone like Margaret, Barbra completely understood this character, her problems and her mundane, ordinary life. Further more, Barbra successfully escaped her own [huge] shadow and made this average, work-a-day mom/woman believable.
I think it’s a great performance and, at that time in her career, a bold film to make.
Do as Barbra suggested, get Up The Sandbox – watch it through, then listen to her commentary. You’ll find a whole new movie to enjoy.
Oh, and tell Jonathan Ross! LOL 
(kidding wossy…)
Lynne
Barbra Magazine
allaboutbarbra.com
Replies for this Forum Topic
I lLove it!!! I think it's one of her funniest and most touching. LOve scenes at the family dinner, Fidel Castro, and the mother and if you think back to abortion Not being legal until 1973 it was a bold movie about a New decision married women now had the option to just have the children they already had or add more.
It was, is and will always be my all-time favorite Barbra Streisand movie.
I was also very surprised when Jonathan said that and Barbra even called it a flop, but that she really loves the movie - good for her.
Personally I think its more of an European style movie, where you have to really follow closely the story and where you need to interpret the actions on the screen on a constant basis.
But that's what I love so much about it - and when the commentary came out I found myself sitting in front of the TV talking to her .... LOL
I think it's the movie where Barbra acts most natural and down to earth ever - not bonkers at all.
Yentl
I am finishing Barbra's terrific commentary on the dvd. I can't wait to hear director Kershner's.
I think Margaret needed someone to talk to -- friends or even a psychotherapist like for Jill Clayburgh in An Unmarried Woman. In 1972 New York City women could at least vent to friends. As fans, we're very attuned to Barbra but a wider audience needs to know what's going on for her. She could tell her best friend, "I'm pregnant. I'm not telling Paul. He doesn't want to bring another kid in the world, but now that I'm keeping this secret from him, I'm having these fantasies, and their scarily realistic!" Then later, "I'm getting an abortion. I'm still not telling Paul." Then finally, "I'm telling Paul. He loves me. He'll want the kid because he wants me to be happy. I love motherhood. It's very important. I'm just as important as his intellectual friends." The key thing is she spells something out for an audience that needs it.
Is this Stockard Channing's film debut? Does anyone know what scene she's in?
THis is a lovely moving film and Barbra has every right to be proud of it . Her performane was praised by many critics. I didnt know there was a commentry on a dvd of this. would be interesting to hear what she says about the film as it was very surreal.
james
I first saw UTS when it appeared on television for the first time in the 70s. I was only a teenager and i really got and LOVED this film!!
After seeing barbra in amazing musicals like Funny Girl...and the huge production Hello Dolly!... i loved that she did this ... really 'indie' movie. and to this day i don't think there's another Streisand film that 'feels' like Sandbox.
I mean when do we see Barbra as an upper west side housewife sharing a scene with a huge cockroach??!!!! LOL she was absolutely believable and the film was SOOOO ahead of it's time with it's mixing of reality and fantasy scenes. they HAVE to come at you 'out of nowhere'...that's what makes it brilliant. There have been countless films and television episodes that have utilized the same 'playing the fantasy reaction first... followed by reality'... i don't remember any before UTS.
that's what initially made me a fan of this film. i hadn't seen anything else like it.
the scenes were so not what we've seen barbra do... the scene with Castro... absolutely hysterical... barbra had some GREAT acting in this film. her 'argument scene with her husband after the party'... amazing.
... it's my least favorite because i think the story and direction leave the viewer wanting more...but perhaps i'm bias...but even in THAT film i think Barbra brings it. she delivers an understated honest delivery of the character and has pretty much the only laughs in the comedy) ... but UTS is the non musical film i tend to toss in the DVD most often...and the one i most share with non streisand fanatics...and almost everyone has a new appreciation for her after seeing it!
this was a new kind of woman... not the housewife like her mom... she was college educated...yet she found herself scaringly becoming a housewife like her mom. this laid the foundation for a really interesting story in a very interesting time in the women's movement.
i LOOOVE all of Barbra's films (even ...if i had to pick a least favorite... All Night Long
Fan, you are so lucky to have met Barbra - is this photo montage or real?
It has been my second Barbra's movie when I was 15 , just after I discovered her in What's up Doc? and loved it immediataly. Sometimes critics are always looking for a masterpiece and if it's not they distroy it. UTS is not a masterpiece but is a very nice and simple movie about a normal person like everyone of us with his dreams and his very normal thoughts about what he's expecting from life. It's real and so true even in the ureal scenes that it must have the correct recognition.
I hope Barbra will give us more like that.
best to everyone
Hi it's great so read so many other comments about this gem of a movie! It is a fine performance and great movie.
For the lady with the question, yes it is a real picture, it was taken backstage in Manchester after Barbra's fabulous concert at the MEN, UK
Lynne
www.allaboutbarbra.com
Barbra magazine.