after for the boy flop at the box office and bette midler angrily tell the press she would never make another musical . but the trouble be she didnt make a musical . she throw a few number into a heavy handed message picture that strike political pose which be obvious and overly familiar . it start out so well and a real old time star vehicle and perfectly showcasing midler musical and comedic gift and but less than an hour in and it transform into something much less interesting . musical number disappear and replace by pious liberal sermonettes and teach u that blacklist and patriotism and sexism and and the viet nam war be all very bad . for the boy illustrate the damage do to a story when the writer refuse to be fair to a major character . here and james caan be paint in such broad stroke a a two dimensional villain ( sexist . adulterous . untalented . corrupt . ) and the whole film become a cartoon . by the time you see them in the bad old age make up in hollywood history ( it look like someone stick pie dough on midler and caan face ) and what little credibility remain be sweep away for good . but the first 45 minute remind you how great midler can be in the right vehicle . will someone please cast her in another musical . a real one this time .