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Movies / On DVD / The Fantasticks
The Fantasticks

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The Fantasticks (1995)

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52 %
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Reviews Counted:21

Fresh:11

Rotten:10

Average Rating:5.3/10

Runtime: 87 mins

Genre: Musical & Performing Arts

Synopsis: Michael Ritchie brings the world's longest-running musical to the big screen with this good-natured American love fable. Bellamy (Joel Grey) and Henry (Barnard Hughes) are next-door neighbors and... Michael Ritchie brings the world's longest-running musical to the big screen with this good-natured American love fable. Bellamy (Joel Grey) and Henry (Barnard Hughes) are next-door neighbors and the fathers of two lovely children, Luisa (Jean Louisa Kelly) and Matt (former New Kids On The Block vocalist Joe McIntyre). The fathers bicker constantly, insisting that their children stay away from one another. Instead, the kids grow closer. When a circus rolls into town, and the fathers soften up and enlist the aid of El Gallo (Jonathon Morris) to help celebrate union of the two lovebirds, things don't go as planned. Matt and Luisa begin to question their relationship, and yearn for the mysteries that life has to offer outside their town's limits. Eventually, El Gallo deceives Luisa into realizing what she has at home, and she and Matt are reunited, deciding once and for all who--and what--it is that they want from life. Ritchie lovingly transfers the stage story into the expanse of the American West, providing a realistic backdrop for the supremely fantastical story. Featuring the unforgettable hit songs "Try to Remember," "Plant a Radish," "Soon It's Gonna Rain," "They Were You," and many others. [More]

Starring: Joel Grey, Joseph McIntyre, Jean Louisa Kelly, Barnard Hughes

Starring: Joel Grey, Joseph McIntyre, Jean Louisa Kelly, Barnard Hughes, Jonathan Morris, Brad Sullivan, Teller

Director: Michael Ritchie

Director: Michael Ritchie
Composer: Harvey Schmidt
Screenwriter: Tom Jones

[See More Credits]

Reviews for The Fantasticks

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1 - 20 (sorted by critic A-Z; UK critics are listed first)
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
01/26/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Truth to tell, it's exactly the kind of musical pointed out by people who say they just don't like musicals.

Full Review Source: Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) | comment Comment
07/12/06
Ken Hanke
Ken Hanke
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

[S]imultaneously flat and cartoonish...

Full Review Source: Flick Filosopher | comment Comment
12/03/02
MaryAnn Johanson
MaryAnn Johanson
Flick Filosopher

An underpopulated, cliched Romeo-and-Juliet affair that only comes to life during its song sequences.

Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
01/01/00
David Noh
David Noh
Film Journal International

The movie musical is practically a dead horse in Hollywood, and The Fantasticks does little to kick it back to life.

Full Review Source: DVDTown.com | comment Comment
04/04/01
John J. Puccio
John J. Puccio
DVDTown.com

The musical scenes in The Fantasticks crackle with intimacy.

Full Review Source: Matinee Magazine | comment Comment
03/23/01
Chuck Rudolph
Chuck Rudolph
Matinee Magazine

It's a trifle, but was pleasantly presented and I found it to be an adequate though not a scintillating production.

Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
01/04/02
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

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Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
03/21/01
Ryan Cracknell
Ryan Cracknell
Apollo Guide

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Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
01/01/00
Robert Faires
Robert Faires
Austin Chronicle

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Full Review Source: rec.arts.movies.reviews | comment Comment
01/01/00
Susan Granger
Susan Granger
rec.arts.movies.reviews

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Full Review Source: Compuserve | comment Comment
01/01/00
Harvey S. Karten
Harvey S. Karten
Compuserve

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Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
01/01/00
A.O. Scott
A.O. Scott
New York Times
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Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
01/01/00
Robert Strohmeyer
Robert Strohmeyer
Filmcritic.com

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Full Review Source: Rolling Stone | comment Comment
05/11/01
Peter Travers
Peter Travers
Rolling Stone

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Full Review Source: Reel.com | comment Comment
01/01/00
Reel.com
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/08/02
Film Threat
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Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/06/05
Film Threat
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Sacramento Bee | comment Comment
01/01/00
Joe Baltake
Joe Baltake
Sacramento Bee
N/R

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Full Review Source: rec.arts.movies.reviews | comment Comment
01/01/00
Michael Dequina
Michael Dequina
rec.arts.movies.reviews
N/R

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Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
06/06/08
Scott Foundas
Scott Foundas
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
 
 
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