Barbra Streisand's directorial debut in the 1983 production of Yentl was an unqualified success. The film received critical acclaim, and the musical score by Alan and Marilyn Bergman and Michel Legrand earned Oscars. This simple story, adapted from Isaac Bashevis Singer's novel, was brought to life by Streisand. She obviously put her heart and soul into this film with it's subtle romantic nuances and bittersweet tone, layered with stunningly beautiful photography of the Czechoslovakian countryside and villages.

As a turn of the century feminist statement, the story works well on several levels. Yentl (Barbra Streisand) is an Eastern European woman who is raised by her father in the Hasidic tradition. She develops an intellectual curiosity for Jewish Law that is considered taboo for women of her era, who were expected to read picture books and fairy tales, instead of the Talmud. Rather than live her life in the shadows, Yentl decides to disguise herself as a boy and flee to a far away village to study with Jewish scholars.

Yentl is able to find a niche among the scholars by studying twice as hard as her male counterparts and earning the status of first in her class. She changes her name to Anshel and develops a friendship with Avigdor, (Mandy Patinkin) a fellow student who takes her under his wing. In a touchingly brilliant scene, Avigdor tries to force Anshel to skinny dip in a lake, during a break from classes. Barely escaping with her dignity and secret identity, she begins to realize that her disguise will only get her so far.

Avigdor has a passionate love interest in his betrothed, Hadass, (Amy Irving) the daughter of a prominent Jewish scholar. He invites Anshel to dinner with Hadass' family. Anshel marvels at Hadass' attentiveness and submission to Avigdor. All the while, she is developing a passion for Avigdor that is becoming difficult to hide.

In an ironic turn of events, Avigdor is forbidden from wedding Hadass. At the risk of losing her contact with Avigdor, Anshel agrees to marry Hadass in Avigdor's place as justified by a loose interpretation of the Jewish law allowing for such an arrangement.

The scenes between Anshel and Hadass' are meticulously crafted as Streisand creates a sexual tension between the two women fraught with a tenderness that is utterly beguiling. Anshel manages to fend off Hadass' advances by trying to interest her in developing a curiosity for religious studies. After a short period of close calls, and realizing that the inevitable is about to happen, Anshel leaves Hadass to meet with Avigdor and reveal her secret.

Among the many levels on which this film succeeds is in it's depiction of womens' rights issues in a era in which such things were prohibited. Streisand handles this with extreme sensitivity, while revealing Yentl's struggle with stark realism. The romantic scenes are literally enthralling. Amy Irving's enchanting beauty and mannerisms, coupled with Mandy Patinkin's raw, but tender ruggedness and adoring demeanor, are simply charming. Juxtaposed against this, is Streisand's vulnerability toward both Avigdor and Hadass as the third party in the strange love triangle. Yentl's loving devotion to her deceased father is also a very poignantly portrayed throughout the film.

One of the few weaknesses of the film is that it is unnecessarily lengthened by a few musical interludes that are a little repetitious and fail to add anything substantial to the plot. Another minor weakness is the fact that Streisand's femininity is almost too much of an obstacle to overcome. A hair cut and masculine clothing do nothing to hide her distinctly curvaceous lips, fawn- like eyes, and dainty hands. It is hard to believe that she could pass herself off as a man by any stretch of the imagination.

Despite a few minor weaknesses, however, Yentl is an amazingly effective effort for a directorial debut. It is an entirely engaging love story with ironic plot twists that are artfully rendered by Streisand as director, producer, and co-writer of this moving musical.





Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Good Date Movie
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older