Review of Up the Sandbox (1972) by Private U — 06 May 2008

This almost completely forgotten film (except to Barbra's die-hard fans) is an interesting look into the lives and social pressures of the average American woman during the early 1970's. Adapted from Anne Richardson Roiphe's feminist novel of the same name, the film is charming with an over-all upbeat indie feel.

Streisand's portrayal of Margaret is very low key, leaving out much of the bravado and distinct acting style she is known for. This works to the film's advantage as it enables the viewer to see her character and not "Barbra Streisand playing a character". The musical score is also low key, but mellow and enjoyable. A vocal version of the ending theme, "If I Close My Eyes", was recorded by Streisand for use over the credits, but ultimately not used at her request. Barbra wanted the viewers to come away still focused on the themes and messages in the movie and not her vocal performance. The song was instead released as a promotional single. The song was later included on her "Just for the Record..." 3CD boxset.

While a good film, its biggest flaw is the fantasy sequences, which are used to juxtapose Margaret's internal struggles with her identity as a woman in modern society and dissatisfaction with her life choices to that of her daily life and role as a mother. These sequences, which are bizarre and outlandish, are not executed well in terms of their initial execution. The transition between fantasy and reality is so subtle that the viewer is thrown for a loop when snapped back into reality, because they didn't realize they'd strayed into fantasy to begin with. This was also a problem in the book, as every other chapter was a fantasy sequence but this was not stated anywhere. As a reader you were left to figure out the pattern on your own, which proved more difficult than it sounds as many of the fantasies were closely in line with Margaret's daily activities.

By today's standards the film is very dated, but it makes for a good intellectual commentary about the plight of women in the changing social climate of the early 1970's. I definitely recommend this film, but advise that you go into it with no expectations and a very open mind knowing that it might take a few viewings to really get out of it the messages that are trying to be conveyed.