For the Boys

1991

For the Boys

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

43%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 14

75%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 7,528
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For the Boys Photos

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Movie Info

Old wounds are opened on the eve of an awards presentation when it is discovered that the two recipients of the lifetime achievement award, singer/entertainer Dixie Leonard (Bette Midler) and comedian Eddie Sparks (James Caan) refuse to appear together. The film goes on to chronicle the past triumphs and conflicts of the two former USO performers as they appeared together overseas during World War II, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War.

Cast

Bette Midler
as Dixie Leonard
James Caan
as Eddie Sparks
George Segal
as Art Silver
Patrick O'Neal
as Shephard
Chris Rydell
as Danny
Christopher Rydell
as Danny
Arye Gross
as Jeff Brooks
Norman Fell
as Sam Schiff
Rosemary Murphy
as Luanna Trott
Bud Yorkin
as Phil
Jason Iorg
Dori Brenner
as Loretta
Jack Sheldon
as Wally Fields
Lynn Stalmaster
Patrick Whyte
as Audience Airman
Karen Martin
as Vicki
Shannon Wilcox
as Margaret Sparks
Michael Greene
as Gen. Scott
Melissa Manchester
as Corrine
Steven Kampmann
as Stan
Richard Portnow
as Milt
Pattie Darcy
as Myra
Beau Dremann
as Army Messenger
Jameson Rodgers
as Danny (age 4)
Gary Gershaw
as Stage Manager
Jim Raposa
as Dancing Airman
Patrick White
as Audience Airman
Christopher Kaufman
as Band Person
James Patrick
as Captain
Christopher Wilkinson
as Niles LaGuardia
Andrew Bilgore
as Nervous Production Assistant
Brandon Call
as Danny (age 12)
Hayley Carr
as Ann Sparks
Kimberly Ann Evans
as Kate Sparks
Kelly Noonan
as Merry Sparks
John O'Leary
as TV Censor
Stewart J. Zully
as TV Stage Manager
Deborah Stern
as Showgirl
Heidi Sorensen
as Showgirl
Bruce Gray
as 1st Sponsor
Richardson Morse
as 2nd Sponsor
Matthew Faison
as 3rd Sponsor
Carey Eidel
as Green Room Page
Richard Hochberg
as Merrill
Andy Milder
as Dressing Room Page
Thom Adcox
as Wounded Marine
Andy Lauer
as Corpsman on Battlefield
Andrew Lauer
as Corpsman on Battlefield
Billy Bob Thornton
as Marine Sergeant
John Doolittle
as Captain Donelson
Sal Landi
as Marine Driver
John Ruskin
as Marine Who Stops Trucks
Marc Poppel
as Corpsman at MASH
Gabe Bologna
as Marine at MASH
Tamaki Kawakubo
as Violinist
Mark Roberts
as Vice Admiral
Robert Clotworthy
as Navy Commander
Tony Pierce
as Major at Firebase
Xander Berkeley
as Roberts
Maia Winters
as Janie
D. David Morin
as Cameraman
Walter C. Miller
as TV Director
David Selberg
as Assistant Director
Alan Haufrect
as Technical Director
Annie Prager
as Associate Producer
Barry Michlin
as Executive Producer
Sherlynn Hicks
as Teleprompter Operator
Maggie Wagner
as Stan's Assistant
Leonard Gaines
as Lou Presti
David Bowe
as Photographer
Morgan Ames
as Awards Conductor
William Marquez
as Caretaker
Fred Parnes
as Jeep Driver
Esther Jacobs
as Ida Silver
Garrison Singer
as Commander at Citadel
Connie Chambers
as 1950s TV Show Dancer
Janice Cronkhite
as 1950s TV Show Dancer
Kirk Edward Hansen
as 1950s TV Show Dancer
Melissa Hurley
as 1950s TV Show Dancer
Lynnmarie Inge
as 1950s TV Show Dancer
Theresa King
as 1950s TV Show Dancer
Steven Majewicz
as 1950s TV Show Dancer
Paula Nichols
as 1950s TV Show Dancer
Jody Peterson
as 1950s TV Show Dancer
Amy Rydell
as 1950s TV Show Dancer
Paul Thorpe
as 1950s Show Dancer
Susanne Sullivan
as 1950s TV Show Dancer
Michael Telmont
as 1950s TV Show Dancer
Kristy Zlock
as 1950s TV Show Dancer
Paul Michael Thorpe
as 1950s TV Show Dancer
Lada Boder
as Awards Dinner Dancer
Ken Molina
as Awards Dinner Dancer
Sheri Norwood
as Awards Dinner Dancer
Tita Omeze
as Awards Dinner Dancer
Raymond Rodriguez
as Awards Dinner Dancer
Rick Gavin Tjia
as Awards Dinner Dancer
Natsuo Tomita
as Awards Dinner Dancer
Jerald Vincent
as Awards Dinner Dancer
Beverly Ward
as Awards Dinner Dancer
Arliss Howard
as Husband to Dixie Leonard (uncredited)
Joe Mays
Kirby Ward
as Awards Dinner Dancer
Jeffrey Weissman
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Critic Reviews for For the Boys

All Critics (14) | Top Critics (4) | Fresh (6) | Rotten (8)

  • 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.

    Feb 7, 2018 | Full Review…

    David Ansen

    Newsweek
    Top Critic

  • This movie is cold and distant when it isn't contrived, and by the end not even the manufactured emotions ring true.

    Jan 1, 2000 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

    Roger Ebert

    Chicago Sun-Times
    Top Critic

  • 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.

    Feb 5, 2007 | Rating: C | Full Review…

    Emanuel Levy

    EmanuelLevy.Com

  • Hokey and sentimental, but Midler's divine.

    Dec 3, 2004 | Rating: 3/5

    Carol Cling

    Las Vegas Review-Journal

  • A very enaging, ultimately satisfying drama with two knockout performances

    Sep 18, 2002 | Rating: 4/5

    Caffeinated Clint

    Moviehole

  • There are moments when you might find yourself moved beyond reasonable expectation.

    Jun 25, 2002 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    Andrew Howe

    eFilmCritic.com
View All Critic Reviews (14)

Audience Reviews for For the Boys

  • Feb 15, 2016
    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.
    Alec B Super Reviewer
  • Jan 17, 2009
    Good story but a bit of miscasting knocks this one off center and off the mark.
    Randy T Super Reviewer
  • Mar 27, 2007
    bette's great, the movie not so much
    jay n Super Reviewer
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