The Mirror Has Two Faces (1996)

Barbra Streisand is a somewhat frumpy, English professor who lives with her domineering mother Lauren Bacall; Jeff Bridges, also a professor, feels that sex gets in the way of his important work. When Barbra’s sister Mimi Rodgers answers Jeff’s personal ad on her behalf, it leads to a romance built on mutual respect and intelligence but little physical affection. Nothing about this film feels based in reality. Streisand is somehow presented as unattractive (at least until she goes through the requisite makeover montage, lightening her hair and putting on a skin tight dress) but so interesting and charming that her students hang on her every word and she had previously attracted Pierce Brosnan. At the same time, Bridges is a hugely successful author who attracts supermodels but can’t get students to stay for his entire class, which also is simultaneously standing room only. The details of their physical relationship are so confusing, with not even an occasional friendly hug or sleeping in the same bed but occasional sex is on the table, that the central conflict rings false.

Oscar Nominations: Best Actress in a Supporting Role; Best Music, Original Song