Watch Nuts

Nuts, released in 1987, is a movie directed by Martin Ritt starring Barbra Streisand, Richard Dreyfuss, and Maureen Stapleton. The movie tells the story of Claudia Draper (Streisand), a young woman from a wealthy family in New York City who finds herself in a tough situation. Claudia has been arrested for manslaughter after she kills a man who was trying to rape her. Her parents want her to plead guilty and go to a mental institution to avoid a public trial, but Claudia decides to fight for her freedom.

The movie starts with a court hearing to determine Claudia's competence to stand trial. Her lawyer, Aaron Levinsky (Dreyfuss), argues that Claudia is perfectly sane and able to understand the charges against her. However, the prosecution paints Claudia as mentally unstable and emotionally disturbed, trying to prove that she acted out of a fit of rage.

As the trial progresses, the audience learns more about Claudia's troubled past. She was sexually abused by her stepfather as a child, and she has a history of drug addiction and psychiatric treatment. Claudia is a complex character, with a tough exterior and a sharp tongue, but also vulnerable and traumatized by her past. She fights fiercely for her freedom, but also struggles with her own demons, including a fear of intimacy and a sense of shame for what happened to her.

Streisand gives an impressive performance as Claudia, displaying a range of emotions and a sense of vulnerability behind her tough exterior. Dreyfuss plays her lawyer with compassion and wit, and Stapleton is outstanding as Claudia's mother, a wealthy socialite who is more concerned with appearances than her daughter's well-being.

The movie is more than just a courtroom drama, as it deals with important themes such as sexual abuse, mental illness, and the justice system. It raises questions about the role of society in shaping people's lives, and the ways in which trauma and abuse can affect someone's mental health.

The movie is well-directed by Ritt, who uses tight close-ups and long takes to create a sense of intimacy with the characters. The film's score, composed by Barbra Streisand and Michael Small, is haunting and emotional, adding to the film's atmosphere.

Nuts received mixed reviews upon its release, with some critics praising Streisand's performance but criticizing the movie for being melodramatic and manipulative. However, the film has gained a cult following over the years and is now considered a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of mental illness and trauma.

In conclusion, Nuts is an intense and emotional movie that tackles important social issues with sensitivity and intelligence. The performances by Streisand, Dreyfuss, and Stapleton are outstanding, and Ritt's direction adds to the film's atmosphere. If you're looking for a movie that will make you think and feel, Nuts is definitely worth watching.

Nuts is a 1987 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 56 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.