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Yentl

6.5

4,285

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Original title

Yentl

Year

1983

Running time

128 min.

Country

United States

Director

Barbra Streisand

Screenwriter

Barbra Streisand, Jack Rosenthal. Story: Isaac Bashevis Singer

Cast

Music

Michel Legrand, Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman

Cinematography

David Watkin

Producer

Ladbroke, Barwood Films, United Artists

Genre

Musical. Drama. Romance | Romantic Drama. 1900s. Education

Synopsis

At the beginning of the XX century, in an Ashkenazic shtetl in Poland, Yentl Mendel (Barbra Streisand) is the boyishly klutzy daughter and only child of long widowed Rebbe Mendel, who teaches Talmud (a codification of Jewish Law) to local boys - and to Yentl, but secretly because girls were not allowed to learn the law in those days. When her father dies, Yentl is all alone in the world. She takes the momentous decision to leave the village and - disguised as a boy and calling herself by the name of her late brother, Anshel - seeks and gets admitted to a Yeshiva, to study the texts, traditions, subtleties and complexities of Torah, Talmud, etc. She befriends Avigdor (Mandy Patinkin) who is engaged to Haddas, but her family discovers his brother committed suicide so they call off the wedding (in case Avigdor possesses the same madness). Anshel then finds "him"-self in the awkward position of being called into service as substitute bridegroom, so that the wedding can go ahead and Haddas will have a husband.

Awards: 1983: Oscar: Best Adapted Soundtrack. 5 Nominations

1983: 2 Golden Globes: Best Movie Comedy or Musical and Director. 6 Nom.

1983: David di Donatello Awards: Nominated for Best Foreign Producer (Streisand)

1983: 3 Nominations for Razzie Awards: Worst Actor, Sup. Actress and Original Score

1983: National Board of Review (NBR): nominated to Top Ten Films.

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Critics' reviews

"Charming and moving and surprisingly interesting"

Roger Ebert: Chicago Sun-Times
"It has a distinctive and surprising spirit. It's funny, delicate, and intense -- all at the same time."

Pauline Kael: The New Yorker
"The best thing about Yentl is its earnestness. It may resemble a vanity production from afar, but even at its kitschiest it seems to be heartfelt."

Janet Maslin: The New York Times
"Not to everyone's taste, but an earnest and hearfelt tale nonetheless"

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Ranking Lists Position

93 My Favorite Musicals (35)

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Yentl

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