For Pete's Sake (1974)

Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

Good , But It Is Overrated By Some

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

FOR PETE'S SAKE should have been almost as good, goofy, and enjoyable as WHAT'S UP DOC?', but the rather unpleasant backstory eventually irritates despite the comedic potential. Barbra is as bright and spunky as she had been in 'DOC', but the uneven script places her in situations that, potentially hysterical, somehow leave a bad taste for several reasons - the methods by which innocent Barbra tries to get the money her hubby, Pete, needs for 'porkbellies'. The Brooklyn setting is real and fits the story well...but it is Michael Sarrazin that really carries the pleasant and charming center of the story. Far away from his strong and dynamic performance in THEY SHOOT HORSES..., he, here, is a delightful leading man with a fine sense of timing, expressive light comedic style (a/la Rod Taylor). He is entirely convincing. The surprising negative factors include the appearance of Molly Picon as a peculiar and supposedly charming madame-underworld character. The part should have been a superb moment for her, but her dialogue and actions become uncomfortable for this formidable star. Nonetheless. the Steisand-Sarrazin teaming looks and feels right...and the love scenes are satirically delicious.

Yes, I love the Marx Bros. but some of their movies are not top notch. Similarly, this is not one of Barbra's best. It's a Rube Goldberg of a movie: She borrows $3,000 from a loan shark, then $4,000 to pay him off, and her "contract" gets sold twice again so she owes $7,000 to an urban cattle rustler. Confused? Oh course you are! However, many of the situations are funny but should be hilarious. Molly Picon plays "Mother Cherry" the benevolent "Jewish" madam and is terrific. Streisand almost scares one of her "Johns" to death, but, thankfully, she never actually connects with any of them. So "Mother" sells her contract to two greasy, sleazy bomb-makers and she gets chased thru the subway by the smartest German Shepard Dog since Rin-Tin-Tin; after unwittingly delivering a "bomb" to a police undercover man. Several ludicrous comic situations and some pay off better than others. The best one involves stolen cattle. She is supposed to transport them in a Winnebago and of course they stampede out of the truck and end up in Brooklyn traffic and, yes, in a chandelier store. All "For Pete's Sake", so he can buy $3000 in pork belly futures on an inside tip, and make a fortune. Michael Sarrazin plays Pete, her taxi-driving, over-sexed, struggling husband. He and Babs chase each other around the apartment a lot. She appears to be bra-less most of the time. A very lightweight comedy with a good supporting cast. But I think that both the Brahma bull and the dog are funnier than Barbra. The incredibly impossible, unbelievable storyline is fun but not memorable.

Henrietta (Barbra Streisand) and Pete (Michael Sarrazin) Robins are happily married but not rich. He drives a cab for a living when Henrietta struggles to pay the bills. Somehow they're able to have a maid (Vivian Bonnell) who comes in a few times to clean up. Then Pete finds out that the US and Russia are going to make a deal on pork bellies. If he invests he could become rich--but he needs to put down $3,000 which he doesn't have. Henry borrows it from a loan shark--but the pork belly deal doesn't go through and Henry has to do various "hilarious" jobs to pay him back.The script is weak and most of the humor falls flat (and I think it bombed at the box office) but this is OK to watch. Streisand gives it her all and she manges to make some of the very weak lines seem funny with her readings. I never thought she could do comedy till I saw this movie. Sarrazin is super sweet as her husband and is a likable guy. Bonnell is the token wise-cracking black woman but she still manages to be funny. The only casting misstep is Estelle Parsons as a VERY annoying cousin of Pete. She's supposed to be annoying but funny but comes across as a mean, cruel witch. Just ONCE I wanted Streisand to slap her.This is mostly ignored by Streisand fans but it's not her worst movie ("The Mirror Has Two Faces" is). Worth catching. And Streisand DOES sing a song during the opening credits.

This is one of the funniest comedies that Barbara Streisand ever made. To me this is an updated version of "I Love Lucy" only updated to fit the 1970's. Also, the assortment of mobsters, madames and underworld types makes this film even more funny. Also, Estelle Parsons role as Pete's bitchy sister in law is a scream. Too bad Henrietta didn't just pop her one.