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Yentl (PG, 1983)

common sense media says

Romantic folk tale retold with music and classic Streisand.

parents & educators say
  • 67% say there are positive role models
  • 67% say there are positive messages
See all 3 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that because the basic plot involves a teen girl disguised as a young man, there are numerous scenes that place Yentl in embarrassing and uncomfortable situations, some of them with sexual overtones (i.e., Yentl being in the presence of several young men as they strip and jump naked into a pond). Though there is no actual sexual activity, the "marriage" ceremony performed between Yentl and another young woman is taken seriously by the "bride" and she attempts to make love to her husband, unaware that it is Yentl, a girl. These scenes are presented in a gentle way and do not emphasize sexuality. There is occasional wine drinking both in social situations and for religious ceremonial purposes.

Positive messages: Although the film's heroine is a girl who "dishonestly" disguises
herself as a boy, her reasons are honorable. Overall, the film holds
that courage, integrity, compassion, and striving to do one's best are
values of the highest order. The main thematic message is that it's righteous and important to fight for individual liberty rather than accept a role dictated by religious and/or cultural prejudices. Though set in the very early 20th century and made in the 1980s, the issues raised here are as relevant today as ever.
Positive role models: Primary characters are all hard-working, honest, and intellectually curious. The heroine, a teen girl, is courageous and strong. Parents are depicted as loving, caring, and having the children's best interests at heart.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Some bare male bottoms seen from rear as a group of young men dive into a pond. One scene suggests a naked young man is standing in front of a young woman, however, since the woman is disguised as a "boy," the man is not aware of his inappropriate behavior. She's embarrassed and looks away.  Multiple sequences in which a young bride behaves in a shyly seductive manner in the bedroom, unaware that the "groom" is a girl in disguise. One gentle kiss.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Some pipe smoking, moderate amount of wine drunk at dinner and on social occasions, shots of whiskey with no drunkenness.    
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More on Yentl

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about the movie's music. Does it help you understand what Yentl is feeling? 
  • Even though it's clear to us that Yentl is not really a boy, was it possible to suspend your disbelief and accept that the other characters never questioned her? What other movies have you enjoyed that asked you to suspend your disbelief?
  • What are some of the tools (i.e., costumes, settings/art direction, lighting) the filmmakers used to take you back to the time and place of the story?

What's the story?

What's the story?
YENTL (Barbra Streisand), a young Jewish woman in Eastern Europe at the turn of the 20th century, finds the traditional role for women in her culture unacceptable. Rather than living a submissive life as a homemaker, mother, and right hand to a husband, Yentl has a thirst for knowledge, for debate, for the study of Talmud, and for a life of the mind. When her father dies and she's left on her own, Yentl undertakes a brave but rash adventure. She disguises herself as a young man, travels alone to a distant city, and becomes a Yeshiva student, surrounded by rabbis and other intellectual young Jewish men. Complications ensue when Yentl finds herself falling in love with Avigdor (Mandy Patinkin), a brilliant young man. And, at the same time, Avigdor's fiancée Hadass (Amy Irving in an Oscar-nominated supporting role) finds herself drawn to Yentl, the "new boy" in town.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Barbra Streisand's first film as a director, based on a story by Isaac Bashevis Singer, is an earnest, passionate effort. It has charming moments, some outstanding performances, pays beautiful attention to the detail of an Eastern European culture destroyed decades later by the Holocaust, and focuses on the always pertinent human desire to reach one's full potential.

Still, it isn't entirely successful. The resolution is not fully satisfying. At well over two hours, the film feels longer than the story merits. The music, designed to pay tribute to the Talmudic core of the story, tends to sound the same throughout. And is it really possible for an audience to accept a 40-something woman in the role of a young girl pretending to be a male Yeshiva student? Yet, it's a good try: enjoyable, perhaps just as brave as Yentl's divine experiment. If nothing else, Ms Streisand's voice is as extraordinary as ever.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: MGM/UA
Director: Barbra Streisand
Cast: Amy Irving, Barbra Streisand, Mandy Patinkin
Genre: Musical
Run time: 132 minutes
Theatrical release: December 9, 1983
DVD release: May 7, 2005
MPAA Rating: PG
This review was written by Renee Schonfeld
 
 

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What parents & educators say

9
Based on 3 parent & educator reviews:
  • 67% say there are positive role models
  • 67% say there are positive messages
Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

MovieLover4Lyfe
adult
12
 
Anything with Barbara is worth watching and this is no exception!
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helped me decide (7) | had useful details (6) | read my mind (6)
whateverfloats
adult
9
 
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was this review useful?
helped me decide (6) | had useful details (6) | read my mind (6)
MangoFlamingo
parent of 6 and 8 year old
5
 
Yentl is a good female roll model!
I saw Yentl as a child in the theatre. There are mature themes which may bore a child, but they aren't really inapropriate. Yentl was on tv about 6 months ago and my 5 year old daughter ended up watching a bit of it with me....and SHE LOVED it. So much that she asked me to buy it. She's now seen it many times and is never bored. I think that Yentl is a really good female roll model which I truly appreciate. I love this movie and so does my daughter!
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was this review useful?
helped me decide (5) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (5)

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