Barbra Still Likes This One
July 1, 2003 - One of Barbra's sleepers, The Main Event receives a delightful makeover in the newly released DVD. The film is presented in a widescreen format for the very first time, and the quality of the film is pristine, something videophiles have come to expect from digital media.

Barbra's commentary is "scene specific" and lasts only 9 minutes. But within her short discussion, Barbra demonstrates her fondness for this particular comedy and even delights in pointing out her sister, Roslyn Kind, who has a bit part in the film's opening credits sequence. Barbra loved making The Main Event, as she explains, and her onscreen reunion with Ryan O'Neal was a labor of delight for both actors. Their chemistry was right, as she further discusses, and their scenes were all played loosely and with lots of improvisation along the way. As filming commenced, there was still the small matter of writing a suitable ending for the "glove story." Barbra asked cast and crew to submit their ideas for the conclusion of the story and was delighted when even her driver produced a treatment. It's these types of anecdotes from Barbra that makes her audio track on the DVD fun. 

Two other features of the DVD are worth mentioning. A very nice slide show presentation includes some rarely seen photos from the production. But a highlight of the DVD, and of particular interest to fans of the film, is the documentary Getting In Shape for The Main Event.  The short runs 19 minutes and is a fun-filled behind the scenes look at all the frolic and hijinks from the set. 

It's enjoyable to watch this remastered version of The Main Event, knowing how much fun Barbra had making it.  In fact, according to Barbra, it was so much fun to make, she might even show it to her husband some day.