Up the Sandbox
Up the Sandbox

Up the Sandbox

1972Movie97 minEnglish

Bored with day-to-day life in New York City and neglected by her husband, a young wife and mother slips into increasingly outrageous fantasies: her mother breaking into the apartment, an explorer's demonstration of tribal fertility music at a party causing strange transformations, and joining terrorists to plant explosives in the Statue of Liberty.

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Insights

IMDb6.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes40%
Director: Irvin KershnerGenres: Comedy, Drama

Plot Summary

A restless young housewife in 1970s New York City feels stifled by her domestic life and seeks personal fulfillment through various extramarital affairs and self-exploration. She navigates the complexities of her relationships with her husband, her lovers, and her own desires, all while confronting societal expectations of women during that era. The film follows her journey as she grapples with identity, sexuality, and the search for meaning outside the confines of traditional marriage. Ultimately, she seeks a balance between her personal aspirations and her marital responsibilities.

Critical Reception

Upon its release, 'Up the Sandbox' received mixed reviews from critics. While Barbra Streisand's performance was often praised for its depth and vulnerability, the film's themes and narrative structure were met with varying opinions. Some critics found it to be a bold exploration of female sexuality and identity, while others considered it uneven or sensationalized. Audience reception was also divided, with some appreciating its frank depiction of a woman's internal struggles and others finding its themes too controversial or its plot less engaging.

What Reviewers Say

  • Barbra Streisand delivers a compelling and nuanced performance as a woman seeking liberation.
  • The film attempts to tackle complex themes of female desire and societal constraints, though with mixed narrative success.
  • Some critics found the portrayal of a woman's sexual awakening to be groundbreaking, while others saw it as melodramatic.

Google audience: Audience reviews for 'Up the Sandbox' are not widely available or aggregated on Google.

Fun Fact

The film's controversial exploration of female sexuality and marital dissatisfaction led to some debate and varied audience reactions upon its release in the early 1970s.

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