Funny Girl (1968)

Ah, Barbra. Of all her onscreen personas, she sparkles in none as she does in her role as 1930s comedian Fanny Brice in the musical Funny Girl. Portraying the life of this star of stage and radio, Brice preens and prances and sings, captivating her audience both onscreen and off. Fanny Brice started life on the Lower East Side of New York, the daughter of a Jewish saloon owner. Not the prettiest girl around, Brice still managed to quickly rise to stardom as a performer in the Ziegfield Follies. A shrewd, obstinate woman, Brice dictated her own success story on stage; things were a different matter in romance. Falling hard for the stunning Nick Arnstein (suavely played by Omar Sharif), Brice must navigate a difficult marriage. While kids may love the tunes (which include the now-infamous "People," as in "People who need people are the luckiest people in the world"), the plot is definitely adult-oriented. Enjoy this one, but don't go too far out of your way for the sequel, Funny Lady. --Jenny Brown Amazon.com essential video

wildly entertaining

The is a bit personal, but my mother has dementia and can't enjoy most videos any more because they are hard to understand or follow. I thought she might enjoy Funny Girl because of the wonderful and fun music. She really did. Barbra Streisand's expressions and emotions are over the top and enjoyable for all.
December 22, 2008

STREISAND AT HER BEST

FUNNY, HEART BREAKING, WONDERFUL SONGS. WHEN SHE SINGS MY MAN, IT WILL MOVE YOU TO TEARS. November 16, 2008

Fantastic

Her first film; Her first success.

FUNNY GIRL is essentially what Barbra Streisand is all about. It is a lush, lavish, funny, tuneful and an all-out wonderful musical. Slightly nostalgic, William Wyler gives us more than just a dash of the opulent MGM-style musicals that Arthur Freed use to turn out by the dozen.

From start to finish, Barbra makes this her own film. More than a debut, it actually helped to further create the legend that is Barbra (and always will be). Everything about this picture is perfect - the sets, the scoring, the music, the cast (especially Kay Medford and Omar Sharif). But it is Barbra Streisand from start to finish that you will always remember.

Whether she is the gawky Fanny trying to break into show business (complete with an oil can marked MAKE UP), seeing Nicky Arnstein for the first time or pouring her heart out with such numbers as Don't Rain On My Parade/ My Man/ I'd Rather Be Blue/ and, of course, People - it is Barbra Streisand who makes this film memorable. Her voice is pure, her actions are natural and everything clicks to make this one of the best musicals of all time. August 20, 2008

Modifed from its original

Bad in the day, this was my most favorite movie. I was sitting down with my partner watching it, and we both noticed that several scenes were deleted. Except for the two songs missing, this is the best movie I have ever seen, funny and witty. June 13, 2008

GREAT Movie!

This movie is such a great movie! I just bought it the other day and I really got my money's worth. I didn't realize how long it was, but in a good way! It is one where you don't mind how long it is because it is so good.

If you love the classics you will love this movie! It is a musical and the music I think is really pleasing to the ears.

Parts of it are also really FUNNY! I know why they called it Funny Girl. With a more serious ending that really brought the movie together and gave a whole new meaning to the title. March 9, 2008

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