The Main Event (1979)
Hillary Kramer, a successful Perfume magnate, awakes one morning to find that her accountant has robbed her blind and left for South America. Going through all of her remaining assets she finds a boxer, purchased as a tax write-off. She decides to take Kid Natural, Eddie Scanlon, who is much more at home giving driving lessons, into the ring and use him as her key to riches. Eddie thinks this will only get him killed and resists.
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Reuniting seven years after What's Up, Doc?, Barbra Streisand and Ryan O'Neal play a boxer and manager in the aptly titled The Main Event. If you're having trouble picturing Barbra as a boxing manager, don't worry. She only takes that job as a last-ditch effort to get her money back after losing her fortune, and she isn't supposed to know the ropes-no pun intended. Of course, since this is a comedy, Ryan and Barbra fall in love while she's training him. It's a classic case of love-at-first-hate for the pair, so if you like that sort of banter, you'll probably like this classic '70s romantic comedy. This one wasn't my favorite; I liked their first film together better, but it's not the worst movie in the world. I'm just more a realist when it comes to romance. I can't imagine falling for anyone I've initially hated.
It's a cute movie but not really a classic, but then neither is "What's Up Doc?" in my book. Both are fun, silly comedies. There is a certain amount of "sexual tension" real or imagined between O'Neil and Streisand. Ryan plays "Kid Natural" Scanlon, a down-on-his-luck washed up small time boxer. Some brief (but not frontal) nudity and horseplay in the locker room scenes and Bab's exercise class. Otherwise, quite tame in spite of some of the situations, including a bedroom encounter. Some mildly salty language and a very annoying performance by Patti D'Arbanville as Ryan's crass and tough girlfriend with "smoker's cough" are my reasons for marking down this film to an "8". Is it realistic? No. A perfume company would not own a boxer's contract, even as a tax shelter. However, Ryan's boxing scenes have a look of authenticity to them and he doesn't appear to be using a stunt double. Of course nobody would "throw in the towel" on purpose during a boxing match to disqualify the winner for such a silly reason as "true love". That's what makes this both a comedy and a fantasy. Barbra is in the best shape of her life and looks absolutely fantastic. It's funny enough that you don't have to be a fan of hers to enjoy it, but it helps if you like professional boxing or wrestling. The only notable song is the title track sung by (who else?) Barbra; so it's not a musical. This little movie made tons of money at the box office and in rentals. Apparently, it has been forgotten about, over the years.
The Main Event tries to capture some of the flavour of those old '30s comedies in which the main characters were fast-talking, argumentative types who ultimately fell in love with other against all expectations. Barbra Streisand and Ryan O'Neal are re-teamed seven years on from their much-admired What's Up Doc? but this film isn't really from the same league. It is, however, moderately enjoyable and sharply written. Streisand plays Hilary Kramer, a successful business-woman who runs a perfume corporation. She discovers that her accountant has fled to South America with all her money and all her assets, leaving her ruined. However, the one contract that the accountant forgot to take with him is that of a boxer, Eddie "Kid Natural" Scanlon (Ryan O'Neal). Hilary threatens Kid Natural with breach of contract if he won't fight for her (even though he's barely been in the ring for goodness knows how many years). Eventually, Kid Natural agrees to box again but he turns out to be pretty useless. Undeterred, Hilary fixes up a lucrative fight with one of his old adversaries, but complications arise when she realises that she has actually fallen for him. Fans of Streisand will undoubtedly enjoy the film. For others, it's a bit irritating. She gets into the role with heart and soul, but her constant fast-talk, put downs and wise one-liners becomes very wearing if you're not an admirer. O'Neal is frustratingly laid-hack and seems to be playing his role with the minimum of effort, but he somehow just about gets across a likable enough performance. The situations and incidents that comprise the plot are nicely thought-out. The only moment which feels wrong is the ending, wherein Streisand does something really crazy to prove her love for O'Neal but what she does would, in actual fact, probably annoy the hell out of him, yet he takes it really well and it all seems somewhat unbelievable. Still, The Main Event is undemanding entertainment and you could do a lot worse.
For everyone who saw "What's Up, Doc?", starring both Miss Streisand and Mister O'Neal, this film is a real dandy. I love the way Babs just keeps talking and is SO high strung throughout the movie (but then again, when isn't she?) The chemistry between the two leads is very real and believable. This film does not set out to give you a huge statement, it is simply meant to make you laugh, have fun and love Babs, and that it certainly will. The end song "The Main Event/Fight" sung by Miss Streisand is a showstopper.