Brighton Beach Memoirs

Amazon.com

Gene Saks, an old hand at directing Neil Simon's work on film (The Odd Couple, Barefoot in the Park), here takes a stab at Simon's most autobiographical work, which stars Jonathan Silverman as an aspiring writer living with two families under one roof in 1937 Brooklyn. Following his old working formula, Saks keeps an eye on the cast's energy and timing but otherwise stays out of the way and lets Simon's story and dialogue tumble wonderfully from the mouths of good actors. Cast in the lead in this 1986 film, the young Silverman (later the star of NBC's Single Guy) makes a very good impression, as does Bob Dishy as his narrator-father. The DVD release has a full-screen presentation. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

DVD sales.......2007-01-19

Was kept informed throughout busy holiday season, first, that DVD was out of stock, but that it would be available in about a week. I was informed when the item was shipped, and it actually arrived earlier than expected. Very pleased with service and communication.

A Gift.......2007-01-18

This was a cute movie.This was also a gift and the person loved. She actually watched it 6 times since Christmas.

Very Funny.......2006-11-11

Neil Simon is one of the best comedy writers of our time, probably because he writes what he knows about. This film is good for many laughs and a feel for life in America right before our entry into World War II.

Works Well.......2006-07-11

This is a tale of 2 jewish families living under 1 roof in 1937. Though there are many hardships and a family crisis or two, it is tempered with a gentle humor and the fact that you really feel that everyone loves each other. Perfect casting, this is a winner. If you liked Parenthood, this should be right up your alley.

why not a contender.......2006-05-31

The script for this flick is great. So the flick has its moments. It could've been a real solid film.
What went wrong? First, casting. Eugene (Silverman) was spot-on for the role and he played the role perfectly. He should be commended for his performance. The father also, in a minor role, did the same. So congrats to them. Unfortunately you cannot ignore the rest. Feh... casting!
Really what burns this movie is the poor performance of the Jewish mothers--both Aunt Blanche and Eugene's mom. They negate the comedic effect of the movie, which is just as important as Eugene's bit. The essence here behind all the drama is Eugene versus his mother but in a light way. A funny way. But the Jewish women are harsh Valkyires; they deliver their lines without a bit of the comedic chutzpah intended.
The last strike against it is that it wavers between being a converted theater (play) script and a regular Hollywood movie. What I mean by this is that quite a few scripts have been converted to a movie style, for example Biloxi Blues the sequel, David Mamet's films, and others. Then there are those films that seem scripted, as if we are watching a theater production--a conversion from the stage to the silver screen. This can work really well. Yet the screenwriters/directors did not make a decision whether to go toward one direction or the other.
It's all a shame. Eugene's monologues with the viewer (again, something we mostly see in theater drama not movies) are golden. The jokes are great. But the rest is just poorly adapted.
Should I recommend this movie? I want to because of the plot and Eugene's performance but at the same time there are so many problems it bothers me. So here's my rec... watch the movie Biloxi Blues, the next part in the series. Biloxi Blues is a better movie, better written, better acted, etc.
Get a feel for the character. Then watch this one. If not, do not bother.

Average customer rating:

DVD sales
A Gift
Very Funny
Works Well
why not a contender

Brighton Beach Memoirs
Starring: Jonathan Silverman , Richard Bright , Blythe Danner , James Handy , and Bette Henritze
Director: Gene Saks
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 6305089884
Release Date: 1998-09-09

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Description

15-year-old Eugene Jerome is desperately trying to uncover life's mysteries, but his family keeps hiding the clues. Even so, he manages to keep his priorities--baseball and girls--firmly in order throughout Neil Simon's hilarious adaptation of his Broadway hit about growing up in Brooklyn during the late 1930's.