The Mirror Has Two Faces (1996)

My Review

Barbara Streisand continues her self-indulgent style of filmmaking with “The Mirror Has Two Faces.” In her third producer-director attempt, Streisand casts herself in yet another ugly-duckling-turns-herself-into-a-beauty vehicle that admittedly has great production values. Fantastic music (by Marvin Hamlisch and herself), great sets (indoor and outside), wonderful cinematography, and big name co-stars all characterize this lavish production, with the script written by Richard LaGravenese.

Lauren Bacall tops the supporting cast list as Streisand’s mouthy mother, earning the only Oscar nomination of her long career, 1944-2012. (The other Academy Award nod went for this film was Best Original Song: “I Finally Found Someone.”) The cast also includes Jeff Bridges, George Segal, Mimi Rogers, Pierce Brosnan, Brenda Vaccaro, Austin Pendleton, Elle Macpherson, Taina Elg, Andrew Parks, Adam LeFevre, and Leslie Stefanson.

“The Mirror Has Two Faces” was modestly successful in theatrical release for producer and star Barbara Streisand, TriStar Pictures, and Sony Pictures Releasing. It was filmed entirely in New York City, New York.