This comedy pairs Ryan O'Neal's easy-going affability with Barbra Streisand's neurotic persona. O'Neal plays Eddie "Kid Natural" Scanlon, a boxer who was such a prodigious pugilist that now he just gives driving lessons. Streisand is Hillary Kramer, a former business magnate whose only remaining asset is a contractual interest in The Kid's career.
In this fish-out-of-water story, Hillary joins the fight game to reactivate Eddie's training, hoping he can turn a profit in the ring. She almost seems to be channeling Woody Allen with her character's tics and nervous patter. In essence, she is the comic and O'Neal is her straight man.
Color me mildly amused by the humor, and somewhat disappointed by the chemistry between the two stars. In the same way, "Funny Girl" lacked chemistry, compared to "A Star is Born" and "The Way We Were", which convince the viewer that the stars are so attracted they can't help themselves.
In this fish-out-of-water story, Hillary joins the fight game to reactivate Eddie's training, hoping he can turn a profit in the ring. She almost seems to be channeling Woody Allen with her character's tics and nervous patter. In essence, she is the comic and O'Neal is her straight man.
Color me mildly amused by the humor, and somewhat disappointed by the chemistry between the two stars. In the same way, "Funny Girl" lacked chemistry, compared to "A Star is Born" and "The Way We Were", which convince the viewer that the stars are so attracted they can't help themselves.