Alright, rewind time! Picture this: it’s late, the glow of the CRT is the only light in the room, and you’ve just popped in a tape promising movie-star fireworks. The magnetic hum starts, the tracking might need a little nudge, and then… BAM! You’re hit with the sheer, unadulterated force of late-70s Barbra Streisand in The Main Event (1979). This isn't some gritty boxing drama, folks. This is pure, high-energy screwball chaos dipped in disco glitter, and honestly? Sometimes that's exactly what the VCR ordered.
The setup is gloriously absurd: Streisand plays Hillary Kramer, a perfume magnate who discovers her accountant has absconded with nearly everything she owns. Her only remaining asset? The management contract of one Eddie 'Kid Natural' Scanlon (Ryan O'Neal), a boxer who retired years ago to run a driving school. Naturally, Hillary, needing cash fast, decides the only logical course of action is to force Eddie back into the ring. Perfume mogul turned boxing manager? It’s the kind of high-concept pitch that screams late-70s Hollywood, and the film leans into it with gusto.
### A Rematch Seven Years in the Making
Of course, the big draw here was the reunion of Streisand and O'Neal, seven years after they charmed audiences in Peter Bogdanovich’s classic screwball homage, What's Up, Doc? (1972). The question hanging over The Main Event was whether they could recapture that lightning in a bottle. The answer is… complicated. Their chemistry here is less effortless fizz and more like two volatile chemicals constantly threatening to explode. They bicker, they yell, they scheme, they occasionally land a genuinely funny line amidst the frantic energy. It's not the smooth rapport of their previous outing, but there's an undeniable energy, a kind of high-strung comedic friction that powers the film. You can practically feel Streisand, also a producer on the film through her Barwood Films banner, pushing the pace, driving the scenes forward with sheer willpower.
Director Howard Zieff, who would later give us the delightful Private Benjamin (1980), orchestrates the chaos competently. He understands the screwball rhythm, letting his stars dominate the screen. The dialogue, penned partly by TV comedy veteran Gail Parent (a writer on The Mary Tyler Moore Show), crackles with rapid-fire exchanges, even if some of the jokes land with a distinct thud today. But it’s the commitment of the leads that keeps you watching. Ryan O'Neal, looking suitably weary and put-upon, serves as the exasperated straight man (mostly) to Streisand's whirlwind of neuroses and determination. And let's be honest, watching Streisand navigate the grungy world of boxing gyms and shady promoters, armed only with designer outfits and sheer chutzpah, is inherently amusing.
### Ringside Antics and That Killer Theme
While this isn't an "action" film in the traditional sense, the boxing scenes provide the physical set pieces. Don't expect Raging Bull realism here; the fights are more comedic backdrop than brutal spectacle. Still, there's a certain grounded quality to the training montages and the slightly grimy gyms that feels authentic to the era. They feel less polished, less choreographed than modern equivalents – you sense the actors are really in those environments, sweating under the lights. Remember how those moments felt back then? A simple training montage could feel genuinely motivating!
We also get some fun supporting turns, particularly from Paul Sand as Hillary's long-suffering former business partner. But the real supporting star? That absolutely inescapable theme song. Streisand belted out "The Main Event/Fight," a pulsating disco track that became a massive hit single. Seriously, you couldn't escape this song in '79 and hearing it instantly transports you back. It perfectly encapsulates the film’s slightly frenetic, glitzy, end-of-the-decade energy. Fun fact: the song actually combines two different pieces written for the film, cleverly merged into one chart-topper.
### Retro Fun Facts Round-Up
Digging through the crates, you find some interesting tidbits. The film was a solid box office success, pulling in around $42.8 million on a reported budget of roughly $8 million – proving audiences were definitely eager for the Streisand/O'Neal reunion, even if critics were mixed (Roger Ebert famously gave it one star!). It tapped into that star power currency that could make even a slightly shaky premise work for the crowds back then. There were stories that Streisand heavily oversaw aspects of the production, wanting to ensure her character remained sympathetic despite her often abrasive actions. And you have to appreciate the sheer audacity of the premise – it feels like something born from a caffeine-fueled brainstorming session, perfectly capturing a certain kind of Hollywood energy.
### Final Bell
The Main Event isn't a lost masterpiece, and it certainly doesn't reach the comedic heights of What's Up, Doc?. The plot is thin, the jokes are hit-or-miss, and the central romance relies more on star wattage than believable connection. Yet… there’s an undeniable charm to its frantic energy and its commitment to its own silliness. It’s a time capsule of late-70s star power, questionable fashion choices, and that glorious disco beat. Watching it on VHS felt like catching a double feature after midnight – slightly fuzzy, comfortably familiar, and powered by pure charisma.
VHS Heaven Rating: 6/10
Justification: The rating reflects the film's moderate success as a star-driven vehicle. It gets points for the undeniable energy of Streisand and O'Neal (even if the chemistry differs from their prior hit), the memorable theme song, and its status as a commercially successful example of late-70s comedy. It loses points for the thin plot, uneven humor, and not quite living up to its predecessor. It's entertaining nostalgia, but not essential viewing.
Final Thought: It’s a fizzy, sometimes frantic, cocktail of comedy, romance, and boxing gloves – a perfectly imperfect snapshot of when star power alone could carry a picture, best enjoyed with the tracking slightly off and expectations set to 'fun'.