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The Main Event

Play trailer Poster for The Main Event PG 1979 1h 52m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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33% Tomatometer 9 Reviews 42% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
When her accountant absconds with all her money, Hillary Kramer (Barbra Streisand) goes from reigning queen of the perfume business to flat broke. Down to her last few possessions of value, Hillary finds a contract for a boxer known as Eddie "Kid Natural" Scanlon (Ryan O'Neal). He's a completely inept fighter, but Kramer is desperate enough to think he's her ticket back to glory. She aggressively promotes him despite his flaws, and falls in love along the way.
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The Main Event

Critics Reviews

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Bob Thomas Associated Press The plot is reminiscent of 1930 s comedies, but Streisand and [producer] Jon Peters have provided a handsome, up-to-date production. Jul 17, 2019 Full Review Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times The movie just doesn't have the life, the zaniness, this kind of screwball material demands. Rated: 2/4 Oct 23, 2004 Full Review Augusto Martínez Torres El Pais (Spain) The Main Event tells a dumb and boring story about boxing. [Full Review in Spanish] Aug 7, 2019 Full Review Steve Crum Video-Reviewmaster.com Forgettable Streisand-O'Neal comedy romance set in boxing ring. Rated: 3/5 Feb 17, 2008 Full Review Chuck O'Leary Fantastica Daily A good mainstream comedy that's better than its reputation. Rated: 3/5 Sep 21, 2005 Full Review Rich Cline Shadows on the Wall entertaining misfire Rated: 2/5 Aug 26, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (51) audience reviews
Scott M Terrible movie with two awful leads. Streisand is mis-cast, and Ryan O'Neal is a terrible actor. The script isn't bad though. A woman buying a fighter's contract after she goes bankrupt. I just wish someone had the guts to tell Barbara that she can't do comedy. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 04/16/25 Full Review eabate3 It's watchable but not one of her better movies. Watch What's up Doc for the real Streisand / O'Neil chemistry Rated 3 out of 5 stars 12/20/23 Full Review Audience Member Barbra Streisand and Ryan O'Neal doesn't deliver any knockouts in this flat comedy about a boxer and his owner. Streisand was starting into a film drought. She was always sort of a hit and miss film actress. Her and O'Neal showcase little of the chemistry they showed in "What's Up Doc?" Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/09/23 Full Review Audience Member While not her best role, this movie deserves no less than three stars. The comedy is zany and the romance solid. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/23/23 Full Review Audience Member Female executive goes bankrupt and partners with a former boxer who returns to the ring, this gives her the idea to invest in him and become his manager. It's a decent movie and O'Neal alongside Streisand for the second time, proves to be a good on screen duo. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/19/23 Full Review Audience Member Guilty favorite. Technically not a great movie, but just fun and good chemistry between O'Neal & Streisand. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/02/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Main Event

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Cast & Crew

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Howard Zieff

Director

Barbra Streisand

Hillary Kramer

Ryan O'Neal

Eddie `'Kid Natural'` Scanlon

Paul Sand

David

Whitman Mayo

Percy

Patti D'Arbanville

Donna

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The Main Event

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Movie Info

Synopsis When her accountant absconds with all her money, Hillary Kramer (Barbra Streisand) goes from reigning queen of the perfume business to flat broke. Down to her last few possessions of value, Hillary finds a contract for a boxer known as Eddie "Kid Natural" Scanlon (Ryan O'Neal). He's a completely inept fighter, but Kramer is desperate enough to think he's her ticket back to glory. She aggressively promotes him despite his flaws, and falls in love along the way.
Director
Howard Zieff
Production Co
First Artists
Rating
PG
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 7, 2008
Runtime
1h 52m
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