The Island Cinephile

The Mirror has Two Faces: Cozy Rom-Com with a Solid Cast

In all my years, I have never stumbled upon a movie that I have so adamantly detested until the last few minutes. By the end, one is guaranteed to develop a sense of well-earned satisfaction. Blossoming into one of my favorites, The Mirror has Two Faces stuns with its attractiveness. Ironically enough, starting out the film was not easy to love and presents a poetic parallel. A middle-aged University teacher that still lives with her mother finds herself overlooked in relationships due to her appearance. It is established very well that both her mother, Hannah Morgan, and her sister, Claire Morgan, are both exceptionally beautiful. Yet Professor Rose Morgan is not as conventionally attractive, and everyone in the film treats her as the ugly duckling. Another professor of the male gender, Professor Gregory Larkin, is handsome and has no issue in both the looks and relationship department. But a huge problem arises after his last divorce from his wife; he wants a marriage not led by carnal desire but more focused on personality and shared interests. He makes mention that if he is attracted to someone it ruins the marriage, so we begin to see a plot arising here. He places an advert in the papers to find a partner with more personality and less looks; enter Rose. 

Playing a multi-faceted role, Barbra Streisand is the director and actor. Perhaps, feeling like such in her personal life, she takes the opportunity to craft a love story related to her experiences. It really touches on the effects of perceived ugliness from others and yourself. Along with a linear storyline that maintains your interest, there is wonderful character development along with great direction. Streisand’s efforts as Rose, shines alongside the seasoned Jeff Bridges who plays the quintessential 90s leading man in Professor Larkin. Bridges and Streisand’s development went slowly but had a beautiful payoff as a believable couple. Hannah Morgan is portrayed by the ever-stunning Lauren Bacall, who ran in the circles of Old Hollywood. Awarded for her phenomenal performance, she successfully portrayed a narcissistic mother who developed a heart of flesh. Claire Morgan is owed to Mimi Rogers who is a wild card, airhead. There are also appearances by George Segal, Pierce Brosnan, and Brenda Vaccaro as supporting characters with Segal being the most memorable as a moral compass for Larkin. 

The screenplay takes inspiration from the French film Le Miroir à Deux Faces (1958). Changing the premise of the story, Richard LaGravenese produces a more widely marketable and lighthearted film. With a set design that captures the beauty of New York, Dante Spinotti and Andrzej Bartkowiak’s work is heralded. The enchanting soundtrack is the work of Marvin Hamlisch with an original song by Streisand and Bryan Adams called “I Finally Found Someone” which has received a few nominations and awards. Despite my enjoyment, the film is not without its flaws. Critically, backlash was received because they call it Streisand’s ego boost. Though it may be true, it does not change the fact that the movie is beautifully directed with a lot more that works than what does not. There are plausibility issues but nevertheless the film shines much brighter as it continues. A hidden gem that should be given greater consideration, The Mirror has Two Faces is a film that surprises with its appeal. Appearing as an ugly duckling, it develops into a beautiful swan.