Funny Girl (A or 4/4 stars)
"Hello, Gorgeous". This is Barbra Streisand's 1st line that she utters in this film, 'Funny Girl' (directed by William Wyler); and it is also the catalyst for one movie-long flashback. Repeating her stage role, Streisand stars as legendary comedienne Fanny Brice (1891-1951), whose life is romanticized in this movie-musical. Action gets underway as fast-talkin', ugly duckling New Yorker Fanny Brice with an unstoppable ambition digs her way out of the Lower East Side ghetto in NYC and leaps onto the glittering lights of Broadway while she is still a young woman in her 20s -- she's determined to be "The Greatest Star".
Discovered by the famous impresario Florenz Ziegfield (Walter Pidgeon), known for his Follies & the Ziegfield Girls who fill the stage in his monstrous shows, Fanny Brice begins as a lowly novelty act, yet becomes his biggest & brightest star by defying orders and turning a dramatic song, "Beautiful Bride", into a subversive, laugh-out-loud riot; dressing herself up as an extremely pregnant newlywed. This gamble turns Fanny into an overnight star & the toast of Broadway. But all is not rosy for Fanny, as her personal/private life follows a very different, sometimes turbulent path.
See, she is hopelessly in love with Nicky Arnstein (Omar Sharif) a suave, big-time gambler who makes dubious choices & is guided by questionable values. They fall madly in love, marry, & have a child, but Nick's pride (he finds it initially amusing to be referred to as 'Mr. Brice', but begins to resent his wife's fame/fortune & starts taking foolish risks with other people's $$) threatens their once-strong relationship & Fanny's happiness.
I can honestly say that 'Funny Girl' is one of the all-time great movie-musicals. The recipient of 8 Academy Award nominations, this movie is comprised of a dazzling superstar performance by Barbra Streisand in her 1st film role, eye-popping production values with wondrous sets & costumes, & a musical score with multiple show-stopping numbers. "People Who Need People" punctuates the film with drama and gives us, the audience, a chance to nod our head in agreement that: yes, no matter if you are on the top of the world or at the lowest of lows ... people DO need people.
The other big show-stopper is Fanny's anthem, "My Man". Streisand's voice soars with these songs & nearly rises you up out of your seat without you realizing it. Streisand pulls our heartstrings; alternating btwn. humorous slapstick & dramatic power; demonstrating her overflowing natural talents. The comedy & songs are great, but 'Funny Girl' also tells what becomes a very sobering, heartfelt story in the end. This tale of an ambitious young woman who becomes a huge star - but is naive in affairs of the heart - gives the film a resonance, an emotional complexity, & a surprising ending that defies expectation.
Discovered by the famous impresario Florenz Ziegfield (Walter Pidgeon), known for his Follies & the Ziegfield Girls who fill the stage in his monstrous shows, Fanny Brice begins as a lowly novelty act, yet becomes his biggest & brightest star by defying orders and turning a dramatic song, "Beautiful Bride", into a subversive, laugh-out-loud riot; dressing herself up as an extremely pregnant newlywed. This gamble turns Fanny into an overnight star & the toast of Broadway. But all is not rosy for Fanny, as her personal/private life follows a very different, sometimes turbulent path.
See, she is hopelessly in love with Nicky Arnstein (Omar Sharif) a suave, big-time gambler who makes dubious choices & is guided by questionable values. They fall madly in love, marry, & have a child, but Nick's pride (he finds it initially amusing to be referred to as 'Mr. Brice', but begins to resent his wife's fame/fortune & starts taking foolish risks with other people's $$) threatens their once-strong relationship & Fanny's happiness.
I can honestly say that 'Funny Girl' is one of the all-time great movie-musicals. The recipient of 8 Academy Award nominations, this movie is comprised of a dazzling superstar performance by Barbra Streisand in her 1st film role, eye-popping production values with wondrous sets & costumes, & a musical score with multiple show-stopping numbers. "People Who Need People" punctuates the film with drama and gives us, the audience, a chance to nod our head in agreement that: yes, no matter if you are on the top of the world or at the lowest of lows ... people DO need people.
The other big show-stopper is Fanny's anthem, "My Man". Streisand's voice soars with these songs & nearly rises you up out of your seat without you realizing it. Streisand pulls our heartstrings; alternating btwn. humorous slapstick & dramatic power; demonstrating her overflowing natural talents. The comedy & songs are great, but 'Funny Girl' also tells what becomes a very sobering, heartfelt story in the end. This tale of an ambitious young woman who becomes a huge star - but is naive in affairs of the heart - gives the film a resonance, an emotional complexity, & a surprising ending that defies expectation.