Billy Crystal: 700 Sundays

Unabashedly sentimental, at moments arguably too shticky, but there's a lot of heart and laughs, along with a good set of smiles in Billy Crystal's one-man show remembering his youth, especially the 700 Sundays he had with his father before his untimely death.

From the telling, Crystal had a remarkable childhood, and came from a remarkable family. His father owned a music store and promoted concerts, and knew and was loved by many of jazz's all time greats. His family come off as sweet if eccentric. As related here, this was a family without many of the painful skeletons in their closets that most of us grew up with. It's sort of the Jewish version of Norman Rockwell's America, but I don't mean that as a put down. Crystal seems to truly appreciate the blessings he's had, and to honor and love the people who made him who he is. He doesn't deny that life can be painful, but that doesn't mean for a second he's going to say it's not wonderful and worthwhile.

If a few moments of emotion feel forced in the unforgiving close up lens of a camera, there's a lot that ring true, no matter that Crystal has performed variations of this monologue on stage hundreds of times.

I grew up on Crystal and would call myself a fan but haven't seen much other than City Slickers and When Harry Met Sally. I've always loved him in whatever other movie I've seen or other appearance I've seen him do. I've always liked him. 61* is a fantastic movie.

This was a great act by a top notch performer, well told with honestly. The story is dark but Crystal acknowledges this but he doesn't steep in it. He never makes it a sob story, he's just telling you his story. He lets the weight of the seriousness sink in and doesn't rush the next joke. But he also doesn't leave you hanging long.

His childhood is basically where pop culture started for me so it's fun to hear the rise of that stuff through his eyes. And it's not all about him, he turns it into a way for you to look at your life and how to make the most of it. I think he wanted to get some things off his chest, make people laugh and try to be helpful.

I have watched this so many times. I am so glad that this one man show was filmed because I would have never been able to see it otherwise.

Funny, touching and entertaing, Crystal tells stories about his family and Commodore Records and proves to be an excellent storyteller. The rawness of certain stories only amplifies the honesty. His family's jazz lab makes some stories from his early life exceptional, but the family focus gives a universally-relatable feel to most of the special. The love ia evident throughout and gives an insight to a great entertainer that will take you through a range of emotions.

This had everything and more. The drama was surprising yet not glaringly abundant. Yet the way it was delivered had me hanging on every word. As someone who don;t like drama at all, that was a pleasant surprise. The visuals were really the best HBO has ever done for a comedian! I mean the way they did it was just breath taking. It drew you into the story which I really did not except from a comedy show.

Billy crystal did his A game that I have never seen in a comedian before or since. I mean he did it all and you felt it all. Happiness, sadness, anger, uncertainty, hope, love and humor. I mean not Robin Williams, Richard Pryor, Micheal Mcintyre, George Carlin, Danny Bhoy, Josh Wolf or Sebastian Maniscalco could even do all that in one show!

I've been a fan of Billy Crystal for many years. Not just a comedian and actor but a real story teller, giving us an incredible tour of his life from childhood to today and the family that is so much of who he is. I was laughing one minute, crying the next, then laughing again. His love of jazz, baseball and comedy were so well punctuated throughout, as you listen to him you personally reflect on the things that are important in your own life, the things you love, family and friends. I was most moved by the relationship with his father and how he would so wonderfully talk about the good and the bad. This is a must see and thanks to HBO for mounting this production. And for the man himself, pure genius. Bravo Mr. Crystal, BRAVO!