FRANK PIERSON

Bil’s rating (out of 5):  BB

USA, 1976.  Barwood Films, First Artists, Winters Hollywood Entertainment Holdings Corporation.  Screenplay by John Gregory Dunne, Joan Didion, Frank Pierson, based on a story by William A. Wellman, Robert Carson.  Cinematography by Robert Surtees.  Produced by Jon Peters.  Music by Roger Kellaway.  Production Design by Polly Platt.  Costume Design by Seth Banks, Shirlee Strahm.  Film Editing by Peter Zinner.  

This film is so annoying it will actually make you itch. The fourth version of the popular rags-to-riches story, followed by the surprisingly less terrible Glitter with Mariah Carey, it stars Barbra Streisand and her poodle perm as an aspiring singer (and her poodle perm) who befriend an established rock star (Kris Kristofferson) and fall in love with him.

He aids them in climbing up the ladder of popularity, watching them skyrocket to stardom, while they try to prevent him from falling into the pit of despair and substance abuse. Streisand’s energy is exciting as usual, and she’s backed up by some terrific songs (especially “Lost Inside Of You” and her Oscar-winning “Evergreen”), but she and her male co-star have no chemistry and the leaden screenplay feels like it goes on forever. The Judy Garland version is still by far the best of them all.

Academy Award:  Best Original Song (“Evergreen”)
Nominations: Best Cinematography; Best Sound; Best Original Song Score and its Adaptation or Adaptation: Score

Golden Globe Awards:  Best Picture-Musical/Comedy; Best Actor-Musical/Comedy (Kris Kristofferson); Best Actress-Musical/Comedy (Barbra Streisand); Best Original Song (“Evergreen”); Best Original Score