Rating: 
Summary: Greatest Movie Musical Ever Made!
Review: Barbra Streisand reprised her role from Broadway to Hollywood as the legendary comedian Fanny Bryce (1891-1951) in Julie Styne's masterpiece "Funny Girl". The stage production debuted on Broadway in 1964, and was nominated for 8 Tony Awards thereafter (including Best Actress, Best Actor, and Best Musical). So when the production was adapted from stage to screen, Streisand kept her role as Bryce and Omar Sharif played leading man, Nick Arnstein. What is striking, and makes "Funny Girl" truly unique, is the fact that a movie musical can be greatly comical, yet dramatic at the same time. The film's focus is on the turbulent, on/off romance between Bryce and Arnstein and it's bitter end. The story begins with Fanny looking back at her humble beginnings in a small Jewish community. She was a girl who didn't possess the beauty required of Ziegfeld-caliber showgirls, but she did have an amazing vocal range (no acting required by Streisand). Along the way to stardom, Fanny discovers her inability to 'play it straight', and her ability to make the audience laugh because of this quality. But soon, the joke's on her in the end when she realizes that she has been using her comedy as a way to shut out her troubles and not confront her problems. Throughout the film, Streisand delivers consistently in the acting department (hence, the Academy Award for Best Actress). And much of composer, Julie Styne's, original score remained intact in the film. Most of these songs have become the show tunes we all know and love, like "Don't Rain On My Parade", "Second Hand Rose", and "People" (the latter of which became Streisand's first #1 hit on the Billboard charts). In addition, two new songs were added and became as equally popular as some of the aforementioned numbers. The title song was penned into the film along with the poignant closing number, "My Man". All in all, 'Funny Girl' has been a fondly remembered and brilliant film featuring (arguably) the greatest female performer of the 20th century. The accolades are a mute testimony to the film's true greatness. In the spring following its release, 'Funny Girl' garnered 8 Academy Award nominations, including Best Original Score, Best Music, Best Supporting Actress (Kay Medford), Best Actress (Barbra Streisand), and Best Picture. In addition, it picked up 3 Golden Globe nominations for Best Director (William Wyler), Best Actress (Barbra Streisand), and Best Original Song. This is perhaps the only movie musical that intergrades all elements of the performing arts (comedy, drama, music, etc.) without losing sight of its permeating concept.
Rating:
Summary: Barbra Streisand's first - and best - film!
Review: The film of "Funny Girl" was awaited with much anticipation after all the tremendous publicity given to Barbra Streisand following her stunning portrayal of Fanny Brice in the hit Broadway show. Streisand won the Best Actress Oscar for her role in the film (but had to share the award with Katharine Hepburn).The young Fanny Brice (Barbra Streisand) desperately wants to be a success in show business and after a shaky start thinks she has made it when she lands a part in a big Ziegfeld show. Ziegfeld (Walter Pidgeon) and Fanny clash over various matters connected with the show due to her strong personality but her talent shines through and she eventually becomes a major star. She meets gambler Nicky Arnstein (Omar Sharif) and falls madly in love with him. Unfortunately, his gambling habits get him in trouble with the police causing Fanny much sadness and anguish. However, she manages to overcome these problems to concentrate on her career and becomes a big Broadway star. The film was directed by the legendary William Wyler and produced by Ray Stark (who was in fact Fanny Brice's son-in-law!). The film had a superior supporting cast including Kay Medford (repeating her Broadway role as Rose Brice), Anne Francis (Georgia James), Lee Allen (Eddie Ryan), Gerald Mohr (Branca), and Frank Faylen as Keeney. Some favourite lines from the film: Barbra Streisand (to her reflection in theatre mirror): "Hello, gorgeous". Lee Allen (to Streisand): "Are you sure you can rollerskate?". Streisand: "Can I rollerskate?". Streisand (to Walter Pidgeon): "O.K. you win. You don't win fair but you win!". Due to the success of "Funny Girl" a sequel was made (in 1975) called "Funny Lady" with Streisand again and James Caan as Billy Rose. Omar Sharif also returned in a cameo role but the sequel was not as popular as the original. "Funny Girl" was one of those rare occasions when the perfect part came along with the perfect actress to play it. One of the last of the great Hollywood musicals. Clive Roberts.
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Summary: Barbra at her comic best
Review: This movie along with most of her others is begging to be released on DVD. Please Barbra, do it for your fans.
Rating:
Summary: One of Best Movies in the World
Review: I've seen this movie twice and bought this VHS here from Amazon dot com. Barbra Streisand's performance is unbelievably nice and Omar Sharif is just good for this character.
Rating:
Summary: The greatest star
Review: Definitely prophetic. She (Babs) is the greatest performer of the 20th century.
Rating:
Summary: A HEARTBREAKING WORK OF HOMOEROTIC GENIUS
Review: Barbra and lots of babes? Could I be in heaven? I wish, but it's really the next best thing: Funny Girl. Rich with social commentary, symbolism and thought-provoking philosophies, this movie opened up my mind to the genius of Barbra. All her movies are like Ingmar Bergman films, but more meaningful and deep, if that's even possible. Through watching this enchanted, gifted woman for the ages on film, I have come to understand the world and myself much better. So what are you waiting for? Get a little Barbra in your life! Your only regret will be that you didn't do it sooner.
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Summary: Barbra Is Larger Than Life -- Deserves Widescreen Treatment
Review: Barbra's performance in "Funny Girl" is stunning. You can hardly take your eyes off of her and soar with her as she sings "People," "My Man," and "Don't Rain On My Parade." The only problem with this video is that it was not released in the widescreen format. This film was made for widescreen viewing and so (unforgivably) Barbra's head is off screen as she sings "People." It has been 32 years since the film was released. When will the WIDESCREEN version come out on tape or DVD?
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Summary: My Review
Review: I've only seen Funny Girl twice and I love it. I think Barbara Streisand is a great singer and actress!
Rating:
Summary: An absolute classic of Barbara Streisand!
Review: Barbara's first movie is not only a hit, but a classic as well. She and Omar Sharif do a sensational job on this wonderful romantic comedy. You'll love it and will want to watch it over and over again!
Rating:
Summary: BARBRA'S BEST
Review: You do not have to be a Barbra Streisand fan to love this movie -- nobody was when it appeared in 1968, since no one knew who she was back then. But just try to resist the galvanizing performance she gives in this movie, for which she won an Oscar. This movie features a dazzling array of spectacular musical numbers, all belted out with brilliant gusto by Streisand. The sets, costumes and true story come together in a captivating romance that still catches in your throat. Omar Sharif looks impossibly dashing as Nicky Arnstein, and the many moments between Streisand and Sharif sparkle with real chemistry, missing from so many movies nowadays. And Streisand, whose performance is fresh and without her later mannerisms firmly in place, generates a surprising sensuality with every breath she takes, every note she sings. Given that this movie takes place in a world already long gone, it never feels dated -- more like a perfectly realized time capsule of time and place. For my money, Barbra's PEOPLE, sung on that lovely street corner, remains one of the most alluring and thrilling moments in musical movies.
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