1979's THE MAIN EVENT was a lame attempt to rekindle the chemistry that Barbra Streisand and Ryan O'Neal created in WHAT'S UP, DOC?, in an attempt to make lightning strike twice at the box office. Well, the chemistry between the stars is still evident, but the story just does not do them justice this time. Streisand plays Hillary Kramer, a cosmetics tycoon who learns that her accountant as absconded with everything she owns and the only thing she has been left with is the contract of a washed-up ex-boxer (O'Neal). So to recoup her money, she makes him start boxing again and becomes his manager. Streisand works very hard to make her character likable but it is a struggle and O'Neal is just miscast as a boxer. He just doesn't look or act like a boxer. It's not boring, but both stars have been seen to better advantage. The best thing about this movie is the powerhouse theme song that Barbra sings over the closing credits. It is an absolute "Wow!"
Review of The Main Event
