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Gypsy is a 1993 American made-for-television musical drama film directed by Emmy Award-winning director Emile Ardolino. The movie is based on the book and lyrics written by Arthur Laurents, who also wrote West Side Story, and is an adaptation of the 1959 musical of the same name. The story revolves around the life of the famous burlesque performer Gypsy Rose Lee and her strong-willed and ambitious mother, Rose.

The film stars Bette Midler as Rose, Peter Riegert as Herbie, and Cynthia Gibb as Louise, who grows up to become Gypsy Rose Lee. The story takes us through various stages of Rose's quest for success and fame, which she tries to find through her two daughters, June and Louise. Her relentless pursuit leads to various conflicts, not just within her own family but also in their relationships with others.

The story begins with a glimpse into the hard life of Rose and her two daughters, who are constantly traveling from one town to another performing in shows. Herbie, a talent agent, falls for Rose and joins the family to help them find success. However, despite all of their struggles, their performances do not receive much appreciation, and the family's financial situation remains precarious.

It is then that Rose decides to make her younger daughter, June, a star in the vaudeville theatrical circuit. Rose pushes June to the limit, and the more Rose tries to advance her daughter's career, the more June resents her mother's actions. This leads June to run away from the family for a solo career, sparking a crisis in Rose's life. She now becomes more obsessed in her efforts to make her other daughter, Louise, a star.

Louise starts off as a shy and introverted girl, but seeing June leave and her mother's relentless pursuit of success, she slowly but surely becomes more confident and comfortable with herself. Louise reinvents herself as Gypsy Rose Lee, and catches the attention of a famous play director. Rose, who initially opposed her daughter's decision, comes to accept it, but continues to manage her daughter's career.

The musical numbers in the film are an absolute treat for the audience. Bette Midler portrays Rose with great passion and intensity, her character's signature trait. Her performances feature song-and-dance numbers such as "Everything's Coming Up Roses" and "Rose's Turn," which are both significant highlights of the film. The score is filled with high-energy Broadway tunes that accentuate Rose's unbridled ambition and drive for success.

Peter Riegert plays Herbie, the man who falls in love with Rose and becomes Louise's stepfather. Herbie is a calming influence on the family and tries to keep Rose from becoming too pushy with her daughters' careers. His character adds a touching, tender note to the film, as he tries to balance the excesses of Rose's ambition and Louise's newfound confidence in herself.

Cynthia Gibb portrays both the younger and more mature Louise/Gypsy with great vibrancy and character development. It is her journey from a timid and self-doubting girl to a self-confident and successful burlesque artist that drives the emotional core of the movie. Her performance in "Let Me Entertain You" is a standout, and her final scenes showcase her talent, both as a performer and an actress.

In conclusion, Gypsy is a timeless tale of ambition, passion, and family that transcends generational and cultural divides. The film's excellent cast and well-executed musical numbers make it an experience that is both entertaining and meaningful to those who watch it. Fans of musicals and those who appreciate character-driven stories will find this film an enduring classic.

Gypsy is a 1993 tv movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 22 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.