The Mirror Has Two Faces
The Mirror Has Two Faces is a 1996 American romantic comedy-drama film produced and directed by Barbra Streisand, who also stars. The screenplay by Richard LaGravenese is loosely based on the 1958 French film Le Miroir à deux faces written by André Cayatte and Gérard Oury. Also starring are Jeff Bridges, Pierce Brosnan, George Segal, Mimi Rogers, Brenda Vaccaro, and Lauren Bacall. The story focuses on a shy, middle-aged professor who enters into a platonic relationship with an unlucky colleague.
The Mirror Has Two Faces
Richard LaGravenese
- Barbra Streisand
- Arnon Milchan
- Ronald L. Schwary
- Barbra Streisand
- Jeff Bridges
- Pierce Brosnan
- George Segal
- Mimi Rogers
- Brenda Vaccaro
- Lauren Bacall
TriStar Pictures[1] (through Sony Pictures Releasing[2])
- November 15, 1996
126 minutes[1]
United States[1]
English
$42 million[3]
$82 million[4]
The film was released on November 15, 1996 and grossed $82 million. Streisand, Marvin Hamlisch, Robert John "Mutt" Lange, and Bryan Adams composed the film's theme song, "I Finally Found Someone". Streisand sang it on the soundtrack with Adams.
Plot[edit]
Rose Morgan, a middle-aged English literature professor at Columbia University, lives with her vain, overbearing mother, Hannah. While attending her sister Claire's third wedding (to Rose's former boyfriend Alex), Rose tells her best friend Doris that she knows she will never get married. However, she also believes it might feel wonderful to have a partner who really knows her.
Gregory Larkin is a Columbia math professor unable to connect with students and loses perspective when aroused by an attractive woman. Shortly after Gregory begins a talk about his new book, his ex-girlfriend Candace arrives. She flusters him so much that he has a panic attack and is unable to continue.
While recovering, Gregory begs his friend Henry not to let him go home with Candace, but leaves with her the moment she offers. Back at Gregory's place, Candace leaves immediately after they have sex. She is still with her new boyfriend, but wanted to bolster her ego because he was cheating on her.
Left in a state of frustration and rejection, Gregory places a personal ad that reads, "Columbia University professor (male) seeks woman interested in common goals and companionship. Must have Ph.D. and be over thirty-five. Physical appearance not important!"
Claire secretly responds to the ad for Rose, and that night after he's sat in on one her classes, Gregory asks Rose out to dinner. They begin a relationship akin to dating, but without any physical intimacy beyond an occasional hug.
Three months later, Gregory proposes. He emphasizes that their relationship will be built on common interest and caring, not sex. Although he does agree to occasional sex, provided Rose gives him enough warning. Gregory and Rose marry in a courthouse ceremony. The relationship continues to grow and become more emotionally intimate, with hints of physical attraction.
While discussing his European book tour at breakfast, Rose asks if now is enough warning to tell him she would like to have sex that night. She tries to make the scene seductive, while he tries to keep it benign. They end up passionately on the floor, until Gregory resists and pulls away. He expresses disappointment in her, calling her behavior "female manipulation", without admitting he only stopped because he was being swept away. Hours later, while Gregory is asleep, a devastated Rose sneaks out and goes back to her mother's.
During Rose's stay with her mother, Hannah shows her a photo of herself as a little girl. Her mother describes how pretty she was, and says her father had never held a baby until she came along. He "never let (her) go," Hannah tells Rose. This greatly changes Rose's view of herself: "I was pretty?" Rose decides to undergo a makeover (changes her diet, exercises, has her hair restyled, starts wearing curve-enhancing clothing and more flattering makeup).
Meanwhile, missing his wife, Gregory cuts his European book tour short and comes home. However, when he tells Rose he doesn't like her new appearance, she says she cannot continue being married, and moves back in with her mother.
When Alex finds Claire in bed with her masseur, they separate. Rose comforts Alex and they nearly make love, but she realizes the fantasy of Alex is better than the reality. Gregory starts lashing out at his students, distraught about his failing marriage. He ends up on Henry's couch an emotional and physical wreck, insisting he loves Rose and does not know what to do. Henry encourages him to fight for her.
Before sunrise, Gregory goes to Rose's apartment. He tells Rose he loves her and that he so desperately wanted her that night, it caused him to pull away. They mutually confess their love and, when Gregory says he wants to marry her, she reminds him they are still married. The sun comes up, and they catch a taxi home.
Production[edit]
The film had a troubled production, with filming delays and more than a dozen cast or crew members fired or leaving the production.[5] Notably, Dudley Moore was fired after failing to remember his lines, being replaced by George Segal, while cinematographer Dante Spinotti and film editor Alan Heim dropped out on their own.[5]
Release[edit]
The film grossed $41 million in the US and Canada.
Soundtrack[edit]
Original music for the film was composed by Marvin Hamlisch. It received a nomination for Best Original Score at the 54th Golden Globe Awards.[21] On November 12, 1996, Sony released the soundtrack on CD.
Tracks include "Try a Little Tenderness" by David Sanborn, "The Power Inside of Me" by Richard Marx, "I Finally Found Someone" by Barbra Streisand and Bryan Adams, "All of My Life" by Barbra Streisand and "The Apology / Nessun Dorma" by Luciano Pavarotti with the London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Zubin Mehta. In the final scene, Pavarotti's voice was mimed by real-life tenor and actor Carlo Scibelli.[22][23]
The CD single for "I Finally Found Someone" also contains the Spanish-language version of Streisand's "Evergreen": "Siempre Verde (Tema de Amor de Nace Una Estrella)".