HotToastyRag
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.
Armand
it is not impressive, interesting or remarkable. it is just a nice comedy who has in lead characters good actors far to give the role of their life. it is funny , with few crazy amusing scenes, almost fake but a not wrong choice for entertainment. so, not great expectations. in same measure, it has, in little measure, the flavor of old situation comedies and this fact saves the construction. a film like a childish game, it is inspired occasion to reflect to serious roles of Streisand and O Neal and to laugh at absurd parts. is it enough ? maybe not. but if you are disappointed, it is only your guilty. because The Main Event can be only funny. not serious, not important, only a childish game.
Brian T. Whitlock (GOWBTW)
Boxing is a all-time sport that requires speed and strength, in "The Main Event", it also requires support. Barbrs Streisand has been on a role in acting just like her singing career. She plays Hillary Kramer, a successful perfume businesswoman who one day finds herself without a single thin dime. Her accountant robbed her blind and headed for South America with her fortune. In order to start over, she has to become one thing she never dreamed of: Boxing Premoter. She drives out to meet Kid Natural(Ryan O'Neal) a former champ, who is now a driving instructor. He gets to go back into the ring with a help of some friends, and he's once again ready to rumble. The movie got a great cast, some boxers I've never heard of, Whitman Mayo never lost his touch after "Sanford and Son". He seems to be the most level-headed character in the movie, unlike his TV character Grady. Very classical and a true gem, Babs is best!4 out of 5 stars!
Jonathon Dabell
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.
AD
