a blockbuster at the time of it original release ( it be the second high gross film of 1976 ) and the third screen version of a star be bear have always divide critic and fan alike . the film open to scathingly negative review and however and $ 5 . 6 million budget picture go on to gross over $ 150 million at the box office and win an academy award and five golden globe . it not without some irony that streisand most commercially successful film would also remain her most controversial . for every ten fan who state that star be streisand best film and there be always ten more who claim it be the weak film in her filmography . although both side have some merit to support their claim and it should still be note that the seventy take on a star be bear remain one of the most touching and highly entertaining showbiz drama that hollywood ever produce . for my money and it the best version of the often told tale . the film be solidly enjoyable and throughly absorbing . change the setting from the old hollywood studio system to the competitive world of the music industry be actually a great idea and and the screenplay forge a realistic contrast between the character romance and their career . this be the main area that the 1976 version of a star be bear actually surpass it classic predecessor . for example and the film be especially successful when depict the clash personal and professional difficulty during record session and the never end phone call that interrupt kristofferson songwriting attempt . this version of the story be also more believable in it portrayal of the lead character . for example and the female lead in the two previous version be so virtuous and self sacrifice that they come off a saint . on the other hand and esther and the female lead in this version and be not only portray a be strong and passionate and but also flaw and conflict . this make her feel more real than the janet gaynor or judy garland character felt in the previous film and and make the story that much more effective . the performance be all on target and even if some of the support character aren not flesh out enough . if youre look for an actress or singer who can walk the fine line between tough and vulnerable without make herself seem like a script contrivance and streisand be definitely the girl you want . she one of the few film star who can make even the most banal dialogue seem fresh and natural and and and a usual and she manage to make a strong emotional connection with the viewer . simply put and her esther be a fully realize and three dimensional human be . kris kristofferson may not get much respect now for his laid back characterization and however and he always interest watch and display a magnetic charisma here that he seldom display elsewhere in his career . kristofferson actually receive rave review at the time from newsweek and time and and even the new yorker usually vicious pauline kael . gary busey and paul mazursky also give believable performance and but both have a fairly minimal amount of screen time . the film soundtrack recording be also a massive success and hit the # 1 on billboard hot 200 and sell over four million copy in the u alone . the streisand compose evergreen ( with lyric from paul williams ) be unarguably one of the most gorgeous song in contemporary pop and brought to even further life by an absolutely incomparable vocal performance from streisand . the rest of the film original song ( mostly compose by williams and rupert holmes ) be pretty good a well and and streisand sound fantastic her live solo number remain in the memory long after the rest of the movie have fade . streisand vibrant performance bring woman in the moon and with one more look at you to thrill life and and make even silly number like queen bee work far good than they have the right to . kristofferson solo number sound somewhat tuneless and however and that may have be intentional since he be play a singer in decline . though naturally date in some respect ( it definitely do reflect the decade in which it be make ) and the seventy take on a star be bear still hold up remarkably well . the film be well mount and slickly produce and the chemistry between the lead be extremely powerful and always feel genuine and and streisand have two emotional scene near the finale that be both ache effective . in conclusion and a star be bear be not only entertaining and move and but it also transcend all criticism .