Watch For the Boys

For the Boys is a 1991 American musical drama film that tells the story of Dixie Leonard, a talented but temperamental singer from the World War II era, and her longtime partner Eddie Sparks, a comedian who delights in his ability to make audiences laugh, but is forced to confront his own limitations as a performer when faced with the changing tastes of the post-war era. The movie was directed by Mark Rydell and starred Bette Midler as Dixie Leonard, James Woods as Eddie Sparks, and John Lithgow as Art Silver, Dixie's son who also became her manager.

The film is set against the background of the USO tours of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, and focuses on the ups and downs of the personal and professional relationship between Dixie and Eddie. The film alternates between flashback sequences that show the highlights of Dixie and Eddie's decades-long partnership, and the present-day storyline in which they are being honored with a televised tribute concert.

At the heart of For the Boys is the story of Dixie Leonard, a gifted singer with an independent spirit and fierce determination to succeed in a male-dominated industry. Her journey is marked by her struggles against sexism, racism, and personal demons such as alcohol addiction and failed relationships. Despite all of this, Dixie remains a resilient and passionate artist who pours her heart and soul into her music and performances.

Eddie Sparks, on the other hand, is a vaudevillian who sees himself as the center of attention and constantly craves the spotlight. While he admires Dixie's talent, he also sees her as a means to advance his own career, often taking credit for her success and undermining her efforts to assert herself as an artist. Despite their rocky dynamic, Dixie and Eddie share a deep bond that is rooted in their mutual respect and admiration for each other's talents.

As the film progresses, the toll of their long years on the job, the sacrifices they have made, and the price that success comes at become more and more apparent. Eddie's career is on the wane, and Dixie's struggles to keep her career alive through a rapidly changing music industry ultimately leads to her being branded as being out of touch.

Overall, For the Boys is a poignant and emotional journey that explores the complexities of the human spirit and the power of music and friendship to sustain and inspire us. The film features powerful performances by Bette Midler, James Woods, and John Lithgow, and a heartwarming soundtrack of hit songs from the time period. If you enjoy poignant character-driven dramas with great music, then For the Boys is definitely worth checking out.

For the Boys is a 1991 comedy with a runtime of 2 hours and 25 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8.