Nuts DVD in Stores July 1, 2003
Posted/Updated: 02 September 2003 20:16
Warner Home Video released Barbra Streisand's 14th movie, Nuts, on DVD on July 1, 2003. Also included in the 4-disc box set, The Barbra Streisand Collection (order link), this 1987 courtroom drama based on Tom Topor's play focuses on a strong-willed woman's fierce battle to prove her mental competence to stand trial for manslaughter. Starring with Richard Dreyfuss as her character Claudia Draper's public defender, Barbra produced this Martin Ritt-directed piece for Barwood Films and released it on November 20, 1987. The supporting cast includes Maureen Stapleton, Karl Malden, Eli Wallach, Robert Webber, James Whitmore, and Leslie Nielsen. Check the box below for full release specs, including Barbra's first-ever DVD commentary. Each individual DVD package features pink side binding. Order the DVD now. Merchandiser display bins should be in some stores. Look for print ads (view) in People (June 30 issue), Ladies' Home Journal, and Woman's Day. Britain and Europe should see these new DVDs at the end of August. Read the Warner Home Video press release dated April 8, 2003. Visit The BSMG's Nuts album page. Listen to an audio clip of Barbra's audio commentary regarding her Nuts music score.
DVD Review by Sal LaBarbera (barbratimeless.com)
What can be said about Barbra Streisand's Nuts?
It has a riveting screenplay by Tom Topor.
It contains the most impressive ensemble cast of any Streisand picture ever.
It deals brilliantly with an issue most filmmakers would find difficult to tackle.
It is the finest dramatic performance of Barbra Streisand's career.
So when Warner Home Video finally decided to release Nuts, viewers should have expected something quite special. And that's exactly what they got. The new DVD release not only presents the film in a magnificent widescreen format with exceptional video and sound quality, but the inclusion of Barbra's full-length feature commentary makes watching Nuts a newfound revelation. Streisand's analytical comments throughout the feature, including her own recollections of the filmmaking process, add a new and exciting dimension for viewers who have seen the film before. It provides an insightful understanding of an all too serious subject for first time viewers, too.
In discussing the taboo issues of mental illness and incest, Barbra's examination is quite perceptive; especially her view of the treatment institutionalized patients receive in a mired system of indifferent professionals. One of the key messages that the film successfully brings out is that all individuals have rights worth defending, a theme prevalent in both Barbra's professional and personal lives. It's no wonder, then, that her voice-over commentaries are so profound.
The cast of Nuts is stellar. Maureen Stapleton's portrayal of a mother out of touch with her own family's turbulence is some of the best acting in the film. Similarly, Richard Dreyfuss's performance as the public defender who successfully champions a seemingly insurmountable social cause is unparalleled in his career. Karl Malden, Eli Wallach, James Whitmore and Robert Webber each bring dramatic prowess to their performances as well. But it is Barbra Streisand's portrayal of the institutionalized victim that carries the picture. It is a career defining role and a real tour-de-force for Streisand.
With such dynamic character portrayals by the entire cast of Nuts, one begs to ask the question: Where were the Oscar nominations? Nuts deserved better recognition back in 1987. A film of this exceptional caliber has rarely been duplicated in Hollywood. - SL, 7/3/03
DVD Postscript by Mark Iskowitz
Certainly a welcome addition, WHV's new Nuts DVD is most significant for its first-time widescreen presentation for home viewing and of course Barbra Streisand's audio commentary. It should be noted that BJS remains silent for long periods during the court hearing scenes, perhaps not wishing to speak over witness testimony. Like the other three titles in the July 2003 "Barbra Streisand Collection" set, there are some excellent publicity stills scattered throughout the on-screen menus and the packaging. However, the on-screen photo gallery only includes six images. The rarely published photo of the assembled cast is a glaring omission. Unlike the other three titles in the "Streisand Collection," Nuts appears somewhat grainy in this sub-par transfer from film to DVD. Blacks and dark colors are not rich and detailed, lacking contrast, with the blacks usually appearing gray. In my opinion the three earlier 1970s films in the collection received superior transfers to disc, perhaps originating from higher quality film masters. - MJI, 7/5/03
People's 1987 Film Review: "Nuts is not a musical, but Streisand belts out the role as if it were one of her showstoppers - say, 'Don't Rain On My Parade." She's always been able to give even trite love-and-pain lyrics a live-wire urgency. She does the same here in a whopping star performance, funny and ferocious, that cuts through most of the movie's moldy courtroom melodramatics. ...Streisand, in her off-hours, also managed to find time to compose the Nuts soundtrack. Sure, she is given to grandstanding, but her wicked zest keeps you riveted. Whether she's punching out the family lawyer or shocking the court with her sex-for-sale rates, Streisand shows a robust comic toughness."
Nuts (1987)
Release Date: July 1, 2003
Warner Home Video
Suggested Retail Price: $19.98
Catalog Number: 11756
ISBN Number: 0-7907-6813-5
UPC: 0-85391-17562-9
Features:
* Anamorphic 16x9 Widescreen Format (1.85:1 Original Aspect Ratio)
* English - Dolby Surround Stereo, French - Mono
* Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
* Special Features:
- Exclusive All-New Feature Length Commentary by Barbra Streisand
- Production Stills Gallery (6 pages)
- Original Theatrical Trailer (1:20)
- Cast/Director/Writers Film Highlights
Running Time: 116 minutes
DVD Region Code: 1 Rating: R
Streisand films released or coming soon on DVD in U.S. --
- Hello, Dolly!, FOX # 2007579
- What's Up, Doc?, WHV #1041
- Up The Sandbox, WHV#11325
- The Main Event, WHV #17161
- Nuts, WHV #11756
- Funny Girl, CTHE #03089
- Funny Lady, CTHE #06676
- The Prince of Tides, CTHE #23329
- The Owl and the Pussycat, CTHE #04751
- For Pete's Sake, CTHV #05814
- The Way We Were, CTHV #02850
- The Mirror Has Two Faces, CTHV #82529
Copyright © 1996-2003 Mark Iskowitz. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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