The Main Event (1979)

Director:

Howard Zieff

Writers:

Gail Parent (written by) &
Andrew Smith (written by)

Release Date:

22 June 1979 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance | Sport

Tagline:

A Glove Story

Plot:

Hillary Kramer, successful Perfume magnate awakes one morning to find that her accountant has robbed her blind and left for South America...

Plot Keywords:

Accountant | Perfume | South America | Boxer | Boxing Promoter

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 1 win

Cast

Barbra Streisand	...	Hillary Kramer
Ryan O'Neal	...	Eddie 'Kid Natural' Scanlon
Paul Sand	...	David
Whitman Mayo	...	Percy
Patti D'Arbanville	...	Donna
Chu Chu Malave	...	Luis
Richard Lawson	...	Hector Mantilla
James Gregory	...	Gough
Richard Altman	...	Tour Guide
Seth Banks	...	Newsman
Lindsay Bloom	...	Girl In Bed
Earl Boen	...	Nose - Kline
Roger Bowen	...	Owner Sinthia Cosmetics
Badja Djola	...	Heavyweight In Gym (as Badja Medu Djola)
Rory Calhoun	...	Fighter In Kid's Camp

Runtime:

112 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

UK:12 | Australia:M | Iceland:12 | Canada:PG (Canadian Home Video rating) | Argentina:13 | Finland:K-12 | USA:PG (NO. 25680) | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Big Bear Lake, California, USA

Company:

First Artists

Trivia:

Streisand reportedly directed at least one scene in this movie herself (the sequence with both leads fishing and walking in the snow) after director Howard Zieff vetoed them.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Hillary and Kid are fighting in the ring at the end of the film, Kid calls Hillary, "Judy". Judy was Barbra Streisand's character's name in the last film that she and Ryan O'Neal did together, What's Up, Doc? (1972).

Quotes:

Percy: Man, you is the dumbest white guy I know.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Getting in Shape for 'The Main Event' (1979) (TV)

Soundtrack:

The Body Shop

A fun movie with great chemistry between the two stars

This film was a major hit upon release in the summer of '79. With a budget seven-million-dollars, the film took in over $40 million at the domestic box office and became one of the top-ten grossers of the year. Unfortunately, it has since been written off by many fans and critics alike as one of Streisand's weakest film efforts. As for myself, I believe THE MAIN EVENT manages to be likable, funny, and entertaining. Even though we've seen the same story a thousand times before, THE MAIN EVENT is very enjoyable while it's playing.

The scenes are all set up very well, the one-liners are funny ("I said celebrate, not fornicate "), and Streisand and O'Neal give off a strong sexual charge between them on screen. The film also features a very strong supporting cast, with Paul Sand, Whitman Mayo, and Patti D'Arbanville turning in terrific performances. Unfairly mangled by most critics and many viewers (many of whom need to learn how to loosen up), the film is complete fun from start to finish. Ignore all of the naysayers, THE MAIN EVENT stands one of my favorite romantic comedies.