edwagreen
Outstanding interpretation of Bette Midler as domineering mother Rose Hovick marks this excellent 1993 production.Surprisingly, Midler won the Golden Globe Award for best actress and it was certainly well-deserved. She is bossy, sincere and forever endearing in the part. She belts out the songs, not exactly in the tradition of Ethel Merman, but with her own style-she reached new heights herself. Her facial contortions are excellent. At times, in her face, I saw her characters in "Hocus Pocus," and when she sings "Everything is coming up roses," at the train station, I thought I was seeing Gloria Swanson of "Sunset Boulevard" memory.Peter Riegert was most suitable in the role of her manager, the guy she loved dearly, but couldn't marry due to her stubborn belief that the careers of her girls came first.The woman who played Louise, who is eventually drawn into the burlesque world, reminded me of the late Natalie Wood. Ironically, Wood played her part in the memorable 1962 film with the late Roz Russell.A marvelous, endearing show with great performances by all concerned.
inmemoryofdivine
This is easily one of my favorite musicals of all time. Bette Midler comes as close to real magic on screen as anyone has in her turn as Gypsy Lee's blustery, bosomy, brave and very scary mother. She evokes a sense of desperation that is at times both comic and tragic but always genuine and quite beautiful. Such charm and grit she is indeed a pioneer woman without a frontier. That frontier is discovered for the children. Who in turn must forge their own in a world ruled by their domineering mother.This particular version is, as I understand it, in it's entirety including the brilliant choreography of Jerome Robbins, as well as the original stage directions.
Jvbway
"Gypsy" is possibly the greatest musical ever written, so it's too bad that it's film version was such a disappointment. To make up for that, we have this re-make which, if not flawless, is an enjoyable and well done adaption of the musical. The script is completely accurate, all the songs included, and the staging remains close to the original Jerome Robbins' staging. Bette Midler is a deft choice for Rose, her singing and personality Merman-esquire, and her acting splendid. Peter Reigert is a fine Herby, if not a great singer, and Cynthia Gibb is a straight forward, natural Louise. In truth, a live taping of the 1989 revival with Tyne Daly might have been a better idea, if only because "Gypsy" is simply more exciting on stage, But this film is a fine translation of a great musical.
peacham
While It was great to see Gypsy uncut from stage to screen with the fine "Together" number back in (it was cut from the 1962 version), Bette Mildler peaks too early in the film.Her Mama Rose builds until she sings "Everthings coming up roses" then she has nowhere to go but up. Mildler overacts the second half of the film dreadfully. Roz Russell correctly built her emotional level to peak at the finale, "Rose's Turn" and in so doing she has wonderful depth of character.True Midler sings better than Russell but with less emotion.Peter Reigert is in fine form as Herbie and plays it with more energy than Malden,however lacking Malden's depth of character. in the 1962 film,Cynthia Gibb is a charming Louise and a Gutsy Gypsy. Other high points are Ed Asner's cameo as Pop and the show stopping you gotta get a gimmick song lead by Christine Ebersole. Its a good film that would have benifited from a different leading lady (or one that could take direction?).
AD
