Thursday, September 25, 2014

I'll Watch Anything: Adam Riske Watches Yentl

by Adam Riske
This one’s for you, Gabby Ferro!

I can say with almost absolute certainty that if it were not for Gabby’s recommendation, I would have never watched Yentl. I watch just about everything, but the hook of a 2+ hour Barbra Streisand movie about how much she loves studying the Torah just isn’t a movie I would gravitate towards. If I were a regular moviegoer when Yentl was released (in 1983, when I was one year old), that might be a different story. However, with the movie not being in the public eye anymore, there is little chance I would seek it out 31 years after its original release if not for Gabby.

I’m glad I did. Did I love Yentl? No, but I appreciated it. It’s extremely well-made. According to IMBD, Steven Spielberg called it “the best directorial debut since Citizen Kane.” The acting is top-notch, especially from Streisand, Mandy Patinkin and Amy Irving. The technical credits are exemplary, from the cinematography to the production design to the musical score. It reminded me of classic epics such as Gone with the Wind in sheer filmmaking. The songs were, well...beautifully sung? I didn’t love the songs, but that’s ok. Even more than movies, a person’s taste in music is completely subjective. I’m sure Gabby enjoys it and that makes me enjoy it...almost.
This movie made me feel like a terrible Jew. Here I am, allowed to study the Torah whenever I want to, and that’s the thing I would least want to do maybe ever. I was Bar Mitzvah’d back in 1995 at the age of 12, and since then I got out of organized religion. The fact that Yentl, the character, wants to study the Torah so much that she dresses like a dude (she looks like a Muppet mixed with Bob Balaban) is enigmatic to me, but that’s because I’m an idiot who cares about baseball, girls and Scary Movie Month. If Yentl had these temptations, maybe she wouldn’t go for theology either. My point being, love what you love, so if I approach Yentl’s love of Jewish theology the same way I approach my love of movies it makes total sense. How would I feel if, because of my gender, I was not allowed to watch movies? It would be terrible. Would I cross-dress to get access to movies? Never say never, but never. I would find a new hobby. So Yentl is a braver person than I am.

What struck me especially about Yentl is how much it hews closely to a Disney Princess musical. I don’t mean that as a slight. I enjoy those movies. Yentl is basically a Jewish Mulan with no fighting and more kvetching. I’m curious what strikes Gabby so much about it, and I’ll venture a few guesses: 1) She likes it because she likes it; 2) She’s a fan of Barbra Streisand and 3) The feminist point of view (women can and should do anything men can do – which I support) is empowering and speaks to her in some way. If any or all of these are true, I am happy that those are the reasons Yentl speaks to Gabby. Please leave a comment, Gabby. I’d love to hear why the movie resonates so strongly for you. I think I get it, but I want to make sure I don’t speak for you.
I found the movie much more involving than I expected to. The lion’s share of the credit for that would go to Mandy Patinkin, who plays Avigdor, Yentl’s study partner and closest friend. There’s a scene in this movie that I love where Avigdor explains to Yentl (who Avigdor thinks is another male) that he cannot marry Hadass (Amy Irving’s character) because he is thought by her parents to have bad lineage because his brother committed suicide. So here we have another character denied of what he wants because of something that is out of his control. Just as much as Yentl can’t help being born a woman, Avigdor can’t help the black mark left on his family. The love triangle subplot of the movie is affecting and truly what the movie is about, more so than about Judaism. Yentl tells a human story out of what could be seen as stodgy or imposing subject matter. I love that it’s about a person following her dreams and taking control of her own destiny and pursuit of happiness.

Did I have fun during Yentl? Kinda. It’s entertaining and I couldn’t help but think to myself, when one character asks what Hadass is like when she’s sleeping, that she dreams of Carrie White’s hand popping out of the grave. But that’s just me being an idiot. The ending is also satisfying, as Yentl goes off to pursue her dream Frodo-style and helps her friends Avigdor and Hadass in the process. I feel like this is the type of movie I’m supposed to hate but I don’t at all. You see, I’m going through my own struggle with Yentl, because I have to “cross-dress” to appear to be a guy who didn’t enjoy Yentl when actually that’s not me and I did enjoy Yentl. Boom! This movie’s got layers. After this movie and The Guilt Trip, I guess I’m cool with Barbra Streisand. Never thought I’d say that.
P.S. I didn’t love some of the scenes such as when all the boys go skinny dipping and Yentl freaks the fuck out because she’s got a vajayjay instead of a wiener. That’s some Doubtfire shit. There’s also a scene where Yentl has to deflower Hadass (on their wedding night) but they have a Labyrinth dance-magic-dance slumber party because of lack of the aforementioned schlong. Dicks can be a real problem sometimes.

16 comments:

  1. Ugh...I cannot stand Streisand. She's like one of those chicks that gives herself the "Diva" title on her own. She also thinks she is so entitled and important. I watched this movie as a kid and remember nothing about it.
    On a better note - your post had me cracking up! Great writing, Adam.

    btw - Scary Movie Month can't come soon enough.

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  2. So....which has the worst suspension of disbelief, this or Tootsie? Because they;re both equally pretty terrible in that. At least this has Patinkin and Tootsie has Charlie Durning.

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  3. I'm waiting for Gabby to join in and defend. Its coming .....

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  4. Thank you so much Adam. Really this means so much to me. I don't just say these things, I really do mean it. I needed you guys on twitter that night. I needed this so badly today. I am so glad I have this community. It means the world. This was a great review! I really loved hearing what you have to say about it. And the questions you asked me aren't easy for me to answer. So I will take upon myself to make my movie of the month on my blog Yentl and send you a link via twitter! I cannot tell you what Barbra means to me. It seems that both you and Chaybee don't know much about her. It is Barbra by the way Adam. Not Barbara. I completely understand why you would make that mistake. Many people do. But that story is a big part of who she is. I love some of the points you made including the fairytale elements you picked up on. I have written an essay and a presentation on this film and talked about hos the film subversives these traditions. Also the traditions of the gender swap movie. You picked up on a few of the reasons why I love this film so much. A lot of it does come from it being Barbra's passion project. Barbra is someone who is incredibly strong and has gone through a hell of a lot in her life, She is Aspergic and has an IQ of 160. Therefore she has had problems with people and this has created a lack of understanding and vicious rumours. In her second half (around the time of Yentl) of her career she was able to build much stronger relationships and be a very good boss that many people love and admire. Barbra was bullied, she was told she was too ugly, "too Jewish" (whatever that means). She should change her name and get a nose job. So she changed her name. From Barbara to Barbra.

    As a young girl who had been bullied by teachers and pupils, I found her story inspiring. People around me were tearing down my self esteem so I clung onto her story. When I first watched Yentl I was 15. I was different. I didn't know why. I am just a bit odd, like Daisy Gamble in On a clear day you can see forever. People didn't like me. Teachers thought I was lazy. I was told time and time again that I was too stupid and that I was a waste of space. When I was at school the people I had to try and tell me otherwise were people I didn't know personally. They were people who I knew through movies, books and songs. The three biggest ones were Barbra, Idina Menzel and Demi Lovato. Boy was I picked on for being a Barbra fan. People loved tearing her down to me just because they knew how much I liked her. Nowadays when people say something about one of those artists a red mist descends. I can't help it. I get really upset very easily. I am a person who does wear their emotions on their sleeves. Because I have been through a lot. So has Barbra. When I watch this film it connects to me at my core. I can never fail to connect to her journey in the film and be inspired. Because not only did her character do this, she did it too. I love Barbra and I could never quite thank her enough for all the holes she has pulled me out of. Trust me Barbra doesn't think a lot of herself. She has been misunderstood by many but other people know her and love her as she is special. I don't think I am at all. But I do believe that her strength gave me some when I had none.

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    1. Oops. I missed that too. Sorry. Fixed.

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    2. Well now I feel like a dick. No disrespect Gabby. I think it's really interesting that certain celebs can affect people on the level you described. I guess I can relate because Bruce Willis taught me how to be a badass.

      If it means anything, I like you a million times more than Barbra!

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    3. Chaybee I am trying to respond in a way that doesn't make you feel bad or get into some kind of argument. So I mean this just to express what I am feeling. I don't mind if you don't like this film or like Barbra's music. But Why did you comment with that Chaybee? I don't mind that you and I disagree. But what is the point of commenting something that is so negative? It reminds me of being on youtube. This community is so great because we can have very different points of view but still respect each others' opinions. However, you haven't really added or commented on anything Adam wrote other than you don't like someone and that it made you laugh? I'm glad you like me and hope that means you will take this in the right way as I tell my friends when I feel a bit dissapointed in something they have said. I think Barbra is largely misunderstood and the word diva is missused. Heath knows what I feel about that subject. It upsets me when I see people misunderstood due to something that isn't their fault as I know what that feels like. Please think that famous people are people too and they have struggles sometimes beyond others as they are disabled, on a spectrum or ill. And please don't compliment someone via insulting someone else. It is not in the spirit of this very positive place. We all have negative opinions. That is part of life. But I think being mean spirited is different. I hope you don't mind what I said and I can't wait until we are switching Scary Movie Month fun together.

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    4. No fighting in my comment thread. I'll turn this damn car around.

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    5. Okay Papa Bear I'm sorry. I am so grateful for this column it is one that will always bring a smile to my face.

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  5. Great work as always Adam. You picked up some great points but nobody would of guessed on the levels this film and actress are connected to Gabby and have affected her life on so many levels. Its really nice you have a film like this Gabby that truely deeply inspires you.
    A great thought provoking column. What I learned is its great to see that films do matter. On levels you would never guess at and also with films you would not think of so obviously that people cherish.

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    1. Thank you Dennis what a wonderful thing to say. That is why I shared that story and why I am so open about my struggles. I am always open to talk about it more. And you are so right. Movies matter and are such big parts of who people are :)

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  6. I don't know how that was viewed as negative, Gabby. My response clearly stated that I understood and felt "like a dick". I also tried to add humor by stating that Bruce led me to being a badass. Honestly, sometimes the written word cannot express the sentiment behind the thought. I totally thought that I had expressed that I felt bad for not liking Babs, Gabs. I also think that all of us on.F this know how I complimented the fact that this site has no trolls and everyone respects each other, hence my apology.

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. I meant your first comment was negative and didn't add to what Adam had said really. Thank you for apologising though. I'm sorry too. *Offers hand to shake*

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    3. Yep, accepted, we're Kool and the Gang.

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