Nuts (1987)

38% of critics liked it
(21 reviews)
66% of users liked it
(4,004 ratings)

High-priced hooker Claudia Draper (Barbra Streisand) has been arrested for the murder of one of her clients. The attorney engaged by Claudia's parents hopes to cop an insanity plea so that she can avoid a trial and manslaughter conviction. But she refuses this, citing a proviso in New York law that… More High-priced hooker Claudia Draper (Barbra Streisand) has been arrested for the murder of one of her clients. The attorney engaged by Claudia's parents hopes to cop an insanity plea so that she can avoid a trial and manslaughter conviction. But she refuses this, citing a proviso in New York law that may result in her spending the rest of her life in an institution. Against all odds, struggling lawyer Aaron Levinsky (Richard Dreyfuss) tries to prove that Claudia is not crazy and is capable of standing trial. He certainly has his work cut out for him; from what we've seen in the film thus far, the violently impulsive Claudia is not only "nuts," but certifiably so. Though she has plenty of opportunity in Nuts to give out with her usual bravura Streisandisms, Streisand (who also produced the film and wrote the songs) is surprisingly restrained through most of the proceedings. And then there's that extended-monologue climax. Nuts was adapted by Tom Topor, Darryl Ponicsan, and Alvin Sargent from Topor's stage play. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 56 min.
Directed By: Martin Ritt
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Nov 20, 1987 Wide
On DVD: Jul 1, 2003
Studio: Warner Home Video

Critic Reviews

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
Streisand produced, developed the script, and composed most of the music for this showpiece, and her efforts, as usual, pay off, above all in her angry and lively performance.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
The film is almost entirely adrift.
Rita Kempley, Washington Post
It wants to be a movie with a message, but in the end it's just a melodrama.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Nuts is essentially just a futile exercise in courtroom cliches, surrounding a good performance that doesn't fit.
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
It's Hollywood manipulation at its best.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
All of the secondary roles are well cast, and Martin Ritt's direction is as good as it can be, considering the script's limitations.
, Time Out
Streisand's a star, which means your complicity is on call at all times. In the shade, Dreyfuss is terrific, banking down his natural cockiness.
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Misfire with Streisand doesn't know if it's funny or pitiful. But it IS depressing.
Michael A. Smith, Nolan's Pop Culture Review
Underated movie with great performances by Streisand and Dreyfuss.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Nuts is a gutsy movie about a woman who refuses to submit to the purposes, fantasies or needs of others.
Gregory Weinkauf, New Times
Leslie Nielsen in his panties is more engaging than the entire remainder of this horrid bore.
Nick Davis, Nick's Flick Picks
The actors mostly acquit themselves, but let's face it - the material itself should have been condemned.
, Film4
A surprisingly compelling courtroom drama, which only lapses into Hollywood gloss at the end when Streisand delivers a mannered, close-up monologue.
Mark R. Leeper, rec.arts.movies.reviews
Other Ritt films have been manipulative, but at least they have been so in good cause.

Read all 14 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

familiar s

It was slightly unbelievable for me since if I'd such a client to defend who is not willing to co-operate the least, I don't think I'd touch that case. Or else give up easily. Then again, I ain't no lawyer!!! They show her crossing the limits so many times that it… More
It was slightly unbelievable for me since if I'd such a client to defend who is not willing to co-operate the least, I don't think I'd touch that case. Or else give up easily. Then again, I ain't no lawyer!!! They show her crossing the limits so many times that it becomes hard to digest it that she ain't a nut. Leaving aside this minor problem, the movie works fine as a courtroom drama.
Dean M

Really powerful and intelligent film based on Tom Topor's Broadway play as this is a highly charged drama that raises some uneasy questions. This is a film that deserves more attention then it originally received, it is honest, though-provoking, and features a brilliant… More
Really powerful and intelligent film based on Tom Topor's Broadway play as this is a highly charged drama that raises some uneasy questions. This is a film that deserves more attention then it originally received, it is honest, though-provoking, and features a brilliant performance from Barbra Streisand as real-life defender Claudia Draper. Richard Dreyfuss also turns in his usual skilled performance as a lawyer who becomes more passionate about the case the longer he is involved with it. His eventual concern for Claudia is touching. And Karl Malden, Maureen Stapleton, James Whitmore, and Leslie Nielsen all play excellent supporting roles.

Cast

            Barbra Streisand as Claudia Draper

            Richard Dreyfuss as Aaron Levinsky

            Maureen Stapleton as Rose Kirk Claudia's Mother

            Karl Malden as Arthur Kirk

            Eli Wallach as Dr. Herbert A. Morrison Psychiatrist

            Robert Webber as Francis MacMillan Prosecuting Attorney

            James Whitmore as Judge Stanley Murdoch

            Leslie Nielsen as Allen Green

            William Prince as Clarence Middleton

            Bruce Barbour as Guard #3

            Sharon Barr as Dayroom Woman #1

            Paul Benjamin as Harry Harrison

            Edward Blackoff as Bar Patron #2

            Conni Marie Brazelton as Court Officer #2

            Nicole Burdette as Cell Woman #3

            Carlos Cervantes as Cell Man #1

            Roydon E. Clark as Guard #1

            Ron Cummins as Arraignment Court Clerk

            Tyra Ferrell as Cell Woman #2

            Shirley Jo Finney as Correction Officer #2

            Sarina C. Grant as Cell Woman #1

            Castulo Guerra as Dr. Arantes

            Leontine Guilliard as Dayroom Woman #6

            Elizabeth Hoffman as Dr. Johnson

            Billy Kane as Attendant #2

            Suzanne Kent as Card Playing Patient

            Tina Lifford as Lawyer #2

            Dakin Matthews as First Judge

            Lavelle Roby as Correction Officer #1

            Haley Taylor-Block as 11 year-old Claudia

            Darryl Ponicsan as Bar Patron #3

            Valentina Quinn as Cell Woman #3

            Warren Manzi as Saul Krieglitz

            Tony Rolon as Defendant Gonzales

            Allison Caine
            
            Sydney Urshan as Cell Man
See full cast

Nuts (1987)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

familiar s

Dean M

Cast

Trailers & Clips