What's Up, Doc? (1972)

What’s Up, Doc? is a joyous throwback to the golden age of screwball comedy, the kind that doesn’t just earn laughs—it builds a full head of steam and dares you to keep up. Barbra Streisand barrels through the film with irresistible comic confidence, while the dialogue snaps, the misunderstandings multiply, and the slapstick lands with the clean, buoyant timing of a classic farce polished to a shine. The vibe is bright, fast, and gloriously chaotic, mixing romance and light crime-caperness into one long, escalating grin. If you prefer your comedies subtle or grounded, this may feel like too much dessert, but if you want pure, energetic fun with memorable performances (Madeline Kahn included), it’s a crowd-pleaser that still feels alive.

What’s Up, Doc? is trying to revive classic screwball chaos—fast talk, romantic sparring, and a domino chain of misunderstandings built around those identical bags. If you don’t enjoy broad, deliberately “too much” comedy, you may find the film forced, with jokes that feel more like noise than wit and a pace that mistakes momentum for fun. Barbra Streisand’s knowingly pushy persona and Ryan O’Neal’s straight-man stiffness are very much the point, but if that dynamic irritates you rather than amuses you, it’ll be a long ride. Still, if you’re in the mood for old-fashioned farce with committed energy and a few genuinely clever bits, it can play better than its detractors suggest.