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Bookmark this pageFor the Boys (1991)
Director: Mark Rydell
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
A drama spanning three wars and professional/emotional skirmishes over two generations. Dixie (Midler) is to be awarded a medal for a career spent entertaining US troops, an honour she shares with her one-time partner Eddie (Caan). A television ceremony is planned, but at the last minute, she won't budge from her house. A long-standing grudge against Eddie is to blame, and it's up to a sweet-talking studio minion to coax an explanation. Cue a flashback to her life story, complete with battle footage and the occasional tune... Rydell charts the decline in American values: good-natured soldiers of WWII give way to druggies in Vietnam, and quick-witted writer Art (Segal) enjoys fame and fortune before falling victim to McCarthyism. Marshall Brickman's script is full of marvellous one-liners, but despite its aspirations, this sentimental Midler road-show is hopelessly unrestrained.Author: CM
User reviews of this film
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- Louis Burns said...
- Posted on Sep 08 2009 16:09 Bette Midler is fantastic in this war epic, and should have won the Oscar! This film has fun, sadness, music, and above all, a great story. James Caan seems a little fake, but you hardly notive by Bette Midlers character, Dixie! If you haven't seen this, you must, if only for Ms. Midlers Oscar nominated performance.
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- John Williams said...
- Posted on Nov 30 2008 11:55 I have never seen such a sad/funny film , by two great actors it showed what thousands of parentsand then and now will be going through with their children at war
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Cast & crew
Director: Mark Rydell
Producer: Bette Midler, Bonnie Bruckheimer, Margaret South
Cast: Bette Midler, James Caan, George Segal, Patrick O'Neal, Christopher Rydell, Arye Gross, Norman Fell, Rosemary Murphy, Bud Yorkin, Jack Sheldon, Billy Bob Thornton full cast
Duration: 140 mins
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