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For the Boys

Play trailer Poster for For the Boys R 1991 2h 25m Musical Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
44% Tomatometer 16 Reviews 74% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
On a USO tour during World War II, entertainer Eddie Sparks (James Caan) needs a partner to round out his act. Soon after hiring performer Dixie Leonard (Bette Midler), Eddie decides he wants her out of the show -- mostly because she upstages him. Dixie is close to leaving of her own accord, but her uncle, Art Silver (George Segal), convinces her to stay. As the years and wars go by, Eddie and Dixie experience a tumultuous relationship onstage and off while they continue the act for the troops.
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For the Boys

Critics Reviews

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David Ansen Newsweek Feb 7, 2018
For a big, glitzy Hollywood entertainment, Rydell's movie opens a surprising number of wounds, and warns us to suspect the very glamour it revels in. It's no small accomplishment. Go to Full Review Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times Jan 1, 2000
2/4
This movie is cold and distant when it isn't contrived, and by the end not even the manufactured emotions ring true. Go to Full Review Dan DiNicola The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY) Dec 18, 2025
3/5
At best, this is loose, baggy, lighthearted, aimless diversion. Go to Full Review Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) Dec 9, 2022
For The Boys is not the work of art imagined, but it is a film that is grand, good-natured, and extraordinarily entertaining. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Quentin Crisp Christopher Street Apr 6, 2022
It is a particularly sad failure because the first half-hour is so exhilarating with Miss Midler at her best, smiling that smile that lights up the whole world, singing with that gusto that has made her so bright a star. Go to Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Feb 5, 2007
C
Never a subtle director, Rydell goes for the obvious and sentimental. Starring Bette Midler and James Caan. his musical chronicle is not so much nostalgic as it is banal, reducing major events in American history to the level of personal feuds. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Alec B @Alec97 Dec 14, 2023 Nothing is convincing in this film, from the awkward and sudden tonal shifts to the cheap production values to the unintentionally hilarious performances. Out of all the times James Caan has been miscast in a movie, this has to be one of the worst. See more isla s @RT89656869 Sep 2, 2022 This film made me laugh quite a bit - I liked how Bette Midler's character, Dixie, really spoke her mind and how she wound up Eddie Sparks by being a bit too saucy for his taste and making promises, saying statements he didn't know about. The situations she gets him in were really quite amusing to watch and I liked how she was such an ambitious and headstrong person, with him having to sort things out after she's spoken. Things do take a more serious turn in the 2nd half of the film but overall I thought it was a well made film. I should note that the prosthetics (present at the end of the film) do leave a lot to be desired, although the film dates from 1991, so it is a little dated. I enjoyed this film quite a lot. Its a bit cheesy but otherwise its pretty decent, so I'd recommend it, yes. See more steve d @RT35616104 Jul 10, 2020 Midler and perhaps the entire film was better suited to the stage. See more Feb 20, 2019 This movie is super fun for history buffs. I love Bette Midler and she sings alot of great songs. See more Jul 30, 2018 A wonderfully poignant film that starts off with a romantic vision of war that we all think of, and slowly strips it down to the cold, hard, painful reality. The journey of Dixie Leonard as a USO singer is one of powerful joy, and the deepest of grief. It pulls no punches, and holds both laughter and pain. See more Feb 27, 2017 Bette Midler is fantastic in this movie managing to create variety of emotions from laughter to tears. the movie manages to mix some action with musical elements to keep the movie entertaining and movie the story along. See more Read all reviews
For the Boys

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Cast & Crew

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Mark Rydell

Director

Bette Midler

Dixie Leonard

James Caan

Eddie Sparks

George Segal

Art Silver

Patrick O'Neal

Shephard

Christopher Rydell

Danny Leonard

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For the Boys

For the Boys (1991) For the Boys (1991) For the Boys (1991) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis On a USO tour during World War II, entertainer Eddie Sparks (James Caan) needs a partner to round out his act. Soon after hiring performer Dixie Leonard (Bette Midler), Eddie decides he wants her out of the show -- mostly because she upstages him. Dixie is close to leaving of her own accord, but her uncle, Art Silver (George Segal), convinces her to stay. As the years and wars go by, Eddie and Dixie experience a tumultuous relationship onstage and off while they continue the act for the troops.
Director
Mark Rydell
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Production Co
All Girl Productions
Rating
R
Genre
Musical, Romance
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 22, 1991, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 18, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$17.7M
Runtime
2h 25m
Sound Mix
Surround
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