The Mirror Has Two Faces Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A math professor allergic to women decides to marry Barbra Streisand for purely academic reasons, then gets really confused when she tries to hold his hand, so she goes to the gym and suddenly everyone wants to date her.

🍿 The Mirror Has Two Faces: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Rose and Gregory

Rose Morgan, a Columbia University literature professor, feels overlooked and struggles with self-esteem due to her appearance. Gregory Larkin, a mathematics professor at the same university, is disillusioned with romantic relationships. He believes that sex complicates matters and seeks a platonic partnership based on intellectual connection.

An Unconventional Proposal

Rose’s sister, Claire, answers Gregory’s personal ad on Rose’s behalf. Gregory, drawn to Rose’s intelligence and personality, proposes a marriage based on companionship rather than physical intimacy. Rose, initially hesitant, agrees, hoping for a fulfilling connection despite the lack of a physical relationship.

Marriage and Dissatisfaction

The marriage begins cordially, but Rose soon feels unfulfilled by the lack of intimacy. She desires a deeper connection with Gregory, but he remains committed to their platonic arrangement. Frustrated and lonely, Rose attempts to initiate physical intimacy, but Gregory rejects her, causing a major rift between them.

Transformation and Rediscovery

Heartbroken and determined to save her marriage, Rose undergoes a physical transformation, losing weight, changing her style, and embracing a more traditionally attractive appearance. However, she realizes that true fulfillment comes from self-acceptance and inner confidence, not external validation.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Rose Morgan (Barbra Streisand): A shy, middle-aged English professor who yearns for love and undergoes a transformation to find it.
• Gregory Larkin (Jeff Bridges): A handsome-but-boring mathematics professor who seeks a non-sexual, intellectual relationship.
• Hannah Morgan (Lauren Bacall): Rose’s glamorous and critical mother, a former beauty who grapples with aging.
• Henry Fine (George Segal): Gregory’s friend who offers a more traditional perspective on relationships and romance.
• Claire (Mimi Rogers): Rose’s attractive sister who unintentionally complicates Rose’s romantic life.
• Alex (Pierce Brosnan): Claire’s husband and Rose’s former crush, representing conventional attractiveness.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Hannah Morgan: “The key to life is if you can walk away from anything you are attached to.” – Hannah imparts wisdom to her daughter, reflecting on life and attachment.
• Rose Morgan: “I don’t know how to ask for it, Claire! Sometimes we’re so polite to each other I feel like we’re two roommates living in a charm school!” – Rose expresses her frustration about the lack of intimacy in her marriage to her sister.
• Gregory Larkin: “But I love the old Rose! The one with no makeup and baggy clothes who loves ‘the perfect bite’! She eats carrots now, isn’t that tragic?” – Gregory laments Rose’s transformation, missing her original personality.
• Rose Morgan: “I wanted to be loved for who I was, not for how I looked.” – Rose declares this when rejecting Alex, highlighting the film’s theme of inner worth over physical appearance.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $42,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $41,083,864
• Worldwide Gross: $41,083,864

💥 The Mirror Has Two Faces Reviews

Personal Review

I’ve always had a soft spot for The Mirror Has Two Faces. Sure, it’s a bit cheesy and predictable, but there’s something genuinely charming about it. Barbra Streisand’s performance is heartfelt, and Jeff Bridges is surprisingly endearing. The scene where she finally confronts him about the lack of intimacy in their marriage always gets to me. It’s a comfort movie, perfect for a rainy day when you want something feel-good and a little bit romantic. Even though the ending is a little cheesy, it always leaves me with a smile.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Barbra Streisand and Jeff Bridges”
  • “Viewers who enjoy romantic comedies with a focus on character development”
  • “People interested in stories about self-acceptance and challenging societal expectations”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Suggestive themes”
  • “Discussion of body image and self-esteem issues”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “While the performances are decent, and the themes are interesting, the script and execution feel a bit heavy-handed, making the overall experience somewhat lacking.
• AllMovie: “Streisand’s direction is competent, but the film ultimately suffers from being too self-indulgent. However, the performances from Bridges and Bacall elevate the material.
• New York Times: “The Mirror Has Two Faces may be self-indulgent, but it has many good scenes and the actors come together well. It may not be the best movie, but it’s certainly a good experience.

Audience Reactions

Jeff Bridges’ performance as the quirky math professor was surprisingly charming.: Viewers appreciated the film’s exploration of self-esteem and the complexities of relationships.

Lauren Bacall’s portrayal of the mother was a standout, offering both humor and depth.: Many enjoyed the film as a feel-good romantic comedy with strong performances.

Overall Consensus: The Mirror Has Two Faces is a polarizing film, with some finding it charming and heartfelt, while others view it as self-indulgent and predictable. The performances are generally praised, but the overall execution is considered uneven.

Awards

1. Golden Globe (Best Supporting Actress)- 1997

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Dudley Moore was originally cast in the role of Henry Fine, but Barbra Streisand fired him for not remembering his lines, which were early symptoms of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.”
• “The film is a remake of the 1958 French film ‘Le Miroir à Deux Faces’.”
• “Lauren Bacall received her only Oscar nomination for her performance in this film but did not win.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Mirror Has Two Faces?

The Mirror Has Two Faces is available to rent or buy on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for cable availability or streaming options through subscription services.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Mirror Has Two Faces, you might like these similar films:

• Roxanne (1987): A modern retelling of ‘Cyrano de Bergerac’ where inner beauty and wit triumph over conventional good looks.
• The Way We Were (1973): Also starring Barbra Streisand, it explores the complexities of a relationship between two people with different values and beliefs.
• Pretty Woman (1990): Deals with themes of transformation and being valued for more than just appearance.
• Good Will Hunting (1997): Explores the theme of intellectual connection and overcoming emotional barriers.

🛒 The Mirror Has Two Faces Related Products

• The Mirror Has Two Faces [Blu-ray]: Relive the romance in high definition with the Blu-ray edition. Experience the movie with enhanced picture and sound quality.
• Barbra Streisand – Higher Ground [CD]: Enjoy Streisand’s beautiful vocals and the film’s signature song, ‘I Finally Found Someone’, along with other classic hits.
• Lauren Bacall: By Myself: Get insights into the life of Lauren Bacall, including her experiences working on the film.
• The Way We Were [DVD]: Watch the great movie The Way We Were starring Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Mirror Has Two Faces features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “I Finally Found Someone” – performed by Barbra Streisand and Bryan Adams
• “Nessun Dorma” – performed by Luciano Pavarotti

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Golden Globes 1997 Lauren Bacall wins Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture

Check out Lauren Bacall’s acceptance speech for her Golden Globe win! It’s a classic moment, and you can really see how much the role meant to her.

Finding Love Over 60 – The Mirror Has Two Faces

Ever wondered how “The Mirror Has Two Faces” resonates with real-life experiences? This video shares a personal story about finding love after 60, inspired by the movie. It’s surprisingly heartwarming!

Barbra Streisand’s Marriage Has Officially Gone Beyond Weird

Want to know more about Barbra Streisand off-screen? This video dives into some of the quirky details of her marriage. It’s a fun and interesting look at the life of the actress!

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