The Mirror Has Two Faces (1996)

Release date: 1996-11-15
Country: USA
Language: English
Director: Barbra Streisand
Production Co: TriStar Pictures, Phoenix Pictures, Barwood Films
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Rating: 6.6/10
Length: 2h 6min

Storyline

Rose and Gregory, both Columbia University professors meet when Rose's sister answers Gregory's "personals" ad. Several times burned, the handsome-but-boring Gregory believes that sex has ruined his life, and has deliberately set out to find and marry a woman with absolutely no sex appeal. Greg thinks he's found what he's looking for in Rose, a plain, plump English Lit professor who can't compete with her gorgeous mother and sister. More out of mutual admiration and respect than love, Greg and Rose marry. Greg assumes that Rose understands that he is not interested in a sexual relationship. He's mistaken, and their marriage is nearly destroyed when Rose tries to consummate their relationship. While Gregory is out of the country on a lecture tour, Rose diets and exercises to transform herself into a sexy siren in a last-ditch attempt to save her marriage.

Plot Keywords

professor, celibacy, mother daughter relationship, sister sister relationship, marital separation, adultery, dysfunctional marriage, wedding, love, remake of french film, directed by star, dating, lecture, apartment, jealousy, manhattan new york city, central park manhattan new york city, boyfriend girlfriend relationship, alzheimer's disease, reference to socrates

Short Review

The loopy contrivance of this plot is exacerbated by the broadness with which Streisand directs Richard LaGravenese's script. The slapstick manner collides queasily with the therapeutic tone.