You know, it was only recently when I discovered that 'Yentl' was a mediocre film.

Never thought that for ages - I saw 'Yentl' in the theater twice. My mother and I grew up loving Barbara Streisand, and to have her in a musical again was like, frickin' awesome.

I think I was also 17 at the time. This was 1983.

The story of a girl trying to be more than she was expected and allowed really struck a chord with me. How would Yentl progress? How would I progress and breakout? By being educated. Educated enough to rise above all distinctions of class, race, gender. To use education as sword and shield. To go where you want to go.

And at the same time? Learning to be comfortable with yourself. To feel warmth and comfort and pride in being educated. In reading. In being alone - there was no shame in it. Not wanting to be a wife or mother. Not required. All that was needed was a personal will, personal confidence, and a lot of education.

Toss in the emotional attachment to a parent, a few good songs, a girl on a boat going to see the world, well, I was hooked.

And it was Barbara. Suffice to say, the combination couldn't have been better.

Still love the film. The wedding (and the fact that the other girl's (Amy Irving) desire to be a wife and mother really worked for her and was sweet), the boat, Yentl's awkwardness around home/marriage activities, the education by candlelight...those scenes really still work for me.

The rest? Well, you know. TiVo is your friend.