This film doesn't get a good wrap, unlike say What's Up Doc? with its non-auterist director (Howard Zieff) - as if Barbra Streisand isn't an auteur regardless of credit, and the basic plot was ripped off for Moonlighting and she and Ryan O'Neal are marvelous together.
O'Neal was at hs best with a strong female to bounce off against. He's great here. Believable as a boxer. Relaxed, Handsome. Does a fabulous slow burn. I don't think he had enough charisma on his own to hold the audience he needed someone to play off against.
Babs is funny. Frizzy hair, aerobics gear. They could've done a lot more with the character of her ex husband Paul Sand. And with the embezzling accoutant. Actually they could've done a lot more with the premise. The film was rewritten a lot and it shows. But the concept is there. The stars are there. They have fun. There's scenes in camp in the snow. The two have sexual chemistry. There's no dodgy power imbalance becanse she's so strong.
Patti d'Arbaville has some fun as O'Neal's girlfriend but really no one gets much of a look in.
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