In 1964, a Broadway musical called, “Funny Girl” opened to the public. The story’s bases on the life and career of Fanny Brice. A Jewish-American comedian and singer gains fame and develops a relationship with a gambler. Barbra Streisand played Fanny in the Broadway version prior to a film adaptation gaining more recognition. She was already an established singer in the early ’60s winning a Grammy Award for her debut album “The Barbra Streisand Album.”
Released in 1968, (same year Once Upon a Time in the West came out) Funny Girl earned huge praise from critics and made enough revenue at the box office. Barbra Streisand won an Oscar for “Best Actress.” In 2016, Funny Girl was selected by the Liberty of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry. In 1975, a sequel titled, “Funny Face” received negative reactions and less money than its predecessor.
I’m gonna come clean, I watched Funny Girl for the first time. Never saw it as a kid. I’m not a big fan of musicals or Barbra Streisand. I thought about watching and posting this film before “Joker: Folie a Deux” comes out in October 4, 2024. I got plans to write articles on several musicals before I see Joaquin Phoenix & Lady Gaga singing and dancing together. Plus, I’m supporting James Gunn’s DC Universe.
Funny & Unfunny Qualities
Funny: Barbra Streisand & Omar Sharif both did a solid job for their respective performances.
Cinematography lacks technical problems.
Costume Designs and Set Pieces were manually crafted by decorators.
Remember that part in “Mrs. Doubtfire” when Robin Williams sings “Don’t Rain on My Parade” impersonating Barbra? When I was a kid, I thought it was made up. Turns out to be a reference. Again, I’m not a big fan of Barbra’s music.
Now that we live in the digital age, you can skip the Overture and Intermission. If you wish to relive the old days of people waiting for the movie or going to the bathroom, it’s your call.
Unfunny: Musical Numbers are forgettable, except for Don’t Rain on My Parade. That’s the only song I like from Barbra. Her material is dopey. Basically, singing a sappy slow song that sounds painfully hokey.
Chemistry between Fanny & Nick felt rushed. I know this is based on real person, but it the way their relationship is portrayed didn’t seem quite right. That’s the movie’s biggest sin. Not giving a crud about them. I have no choice, but to Double Down this con for making me feel miserably bored.
Pacing was boring as heck. Made me not care about Fanny & Nick’s relationship. Ugh! I’d rather watch all episodes of “Eureka Seven!” It told a better love story!
I didn’t cry at the end when Fanny & Nick go their separate ways. Last movie that made me cry was “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.”
The Final Verdict: C, FOR CLOGGED arteries!
Sorry folks, I think Funny Girl doesn’t hold up. I have to hive classic movies tough love whether or not they stood the test of time. If you wanna see a great musical, I highly recommend OutKast’s “Idlewild.” It’s one of my favorite musicals. Which musical should I watch and review next? Please leave a comment.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 