Funny Girl Reviews (original) (raw)

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Adapted from the hit Broadway musical, Funny Girl exudes class - there's a terrific array of song and dance numbers, a tear-jerking storyline and a bevy of colourful costumes. Quirky, charming and very funny, Babs screams talent.

The musical biography of comedian Fanny Brice emerges as a true classic, as enthralling as the day it was released in 1968. It is a superb example of Hollywood craftsmanship in which all elements have been blended to perfection with inspired artistry.

Funny Girl lives up to its title by being funny, but not at the expense of its emotional core that Barbara Streisand beautifully transcends into the hearts of the audience.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

Funny Girl is old-fashioned; it is also exhilarating.

Whatever its flaws, Funny Girl is one star vehicle that works perfectly for its subject.

While the 1960s swung, this spirited, good-natured but creakily old-fashioned picture lived in a different zeitgeist.

Wyler is smart enough to plant the camera fixed on Streisand, from the shoulders up, for her final number, “My Man.” Always willing to let his stars be the star, Wyler may have been the perfect choice to center her, for the first time, on the big screen.

Streisand is stunning, but the film is a trial, particularly when the music disappears somewhere around the 90-minute mark and all that's left is leaden melodrama.

William Wyler proves he can direct a musical and as usual, the star is nominated for an Oscar. His films have more nominations than any director in the history of film. Streisand repeats her Tony winning performance with a few extras written for the movie. This version is cleaned up from the 1968 release where she tied with Hepburn for Best Actress.

For the most part, a wonderfully funny, musical delight. I thought the direction was excellent except in a few brief scenes where Ms Streisand runs amok. However, Ms. Streisand's singing is brilliant and extraordinary, which more than makes up for those few minor lapses. I also thought the cinematography is spectacular, as is the art direction and production design. The costumes (including those in the musical stage numbers) are beautiful, but from a modern humane perspective, there is way too much use of fur and feathers--they must have skinned a whole generation of minks, and wiped out several species of exotic birds. I suppose that might be a historically accurate or glamorized detail, but in my view it detracts from an otherwise superior entertainment, so I deducted one point and give this film a "9" instead of a "10" which it would otherwise deserve. I agree with others who say the film's second half bogs down in melodrama a tad too much, however, that sets up nicely for the stunning musical climax.

Muy buena, para que me guste un musical, los personajes muy bien desarrollados, los papeles de los hombres y los papeles de las mujeres bien ubicados. Talvez lo malo, lo fácil que ella se hizo famosa, el hecho de que la hija nunca aparece (aumentaba el drama).

director William Wyler who introduced Audrey Hepburn to the world in Roman Holiday, introduces Barbra Streisand to the world in this hilarious and charming role of Ziegfeld actress Fanny Brice. Shockingly better than all Ziegfeld adaptions, it is however Streisand's dynamic singing talent and movements that make this a jazzy sexy musical specially done for the ages

Production Company Columbia Pictures, Rastar Productions

Release Date Sep 19, 1968

Duration 2 h 31 m

Rating TV-PG

Tagline Hello, gorgeous!

Academy Awards, USA

• 1 Win & 8 Nominations

Golden Globes, USA

• 1 Win & 4 Nominations

Laurel Awards

• 2 Wins & 3 Nominations