Funny Girl (1968)
Barbra Streisand gave a tour-de-force performance in Funny Girl, the film that won her an Oscar for Best Actress of 1968. She played the stage actress Fanny Brice in this musical biopic, and while the film starts out showing her comedic talents, it takes a darker turn once she falls in love. It’s always that way, isn’t it? But at least, Jule Styne and Bob Merrill wrote her some beautiful songs to express the romantic drama, and Barbra displayed serious dramatic talents powerful enough to reduce every woman in the audience to tears.
It was Babs’s first film, and when you watch the intense, high energy performance that runs the gamut of human emotions, it’s no wonder she tied with Katharine Hepburn at the 1969 ceremony. The song “My Man”, although not written for the show, was one of the real Fanny Brice’s signature tunes. Once you’ve seen and heard Babs sing it, you’ll never be the same. I wouldn’t really recommend anyone watching this movie who hasn’t yet had a heartbreak, because she won’t really understand what’s going on. Girls over the age of 15 will cry, cringe, and hope throughout Barbra Streisand and Omar Sharif’s romance. It’s mesmerizing, realistic, painful, and beautiful.
Speaking of beautiful, Irene Sharaff’s costumes went without recognition during the American awards season, but at least the BAFTA Awards nominated her talent. From Barbra’s famous leopard coat to her striking orange ensemble, all authentic-looking costumes add to the drama and flair of the movie, helping to show Fanny’s journey through show business and her personal growth.
I love Funny Girl; it’s one of my go-to movies when I’m in need of a good cry. I love how Barbra switches effortlessly from comedy to drama, and how she always put her whole heart into her performances. My mom used to make me squeal with laughter when I was a kid, performing “I’m the Greatest Star” a la Babs, and when I saw the real scene as a teenager, it was that much funnier. Everyone has their own favorite song from Funny Girl, and while most pick “People” or the show-stopping “Don’t Rain on my Parade”—Harry Stradling’s cinematography in that scene is still incredibly exciting even 50 years later—mine has to be “I’m the Greatest Star”. I’m sentimental.
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "yaw hum" for posting!
More Barbra Streisand movies here!
It was Babs’s first film, and when you watch the intense, high energy performance that runs the gamut of human emotions, it’s no wonder she tied with Katharine Hepburn at the 1969 ceremony. The song “My Man”, although not written for the show, was one of the real Fanny Brice’s signature tunes. Once you’ve seen and heard Babs sing it, you’ll never be the same. I wouldn’t really recommend anyone watching this movie who hasn’t yet had a heartbreak, because she won’t really understand what’s going on. Girls over the age of 15 will cry, cringe, and hope throughout Barbra Streisand and Omar Sharif’s romance. It’s mesmerizing, realistic, painful, and beautiful.
Speaking of beautiful, Irene Sharaff’s costumes went without recognition during the American awards season, but at least the BAFTA Awards nominated her talent. From Barbra’s famous leopard coat to her striking orange ensemble, all authentic-looking costumes add to the drama and flair of the movie, helping to show Fanny’s journey through show business and her personal growth.
I love Funny Girl; it’s one of my go-to movies when I’m in need of a good cry. I love how Barbra switches effortlessly from comedy to drama, and how she always put her whole heart into her performances. My mom used to make me squeal with laughter when I was a kid, performing “I’m the Greatest Star” a la Babs, and when I saw the real scene as a teenager, it was that much funnier. Everyone has their own favorite song from Funny Girl, and while most pick “People” or the show-stopping “Don’t Rain on my Parade”—Harry Stradling’s cinematography in that scene is still incredibly exciting even 50 years later—mine has to be “I’m the Greatest Star”. I’m sentimental.
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "yaw hum" for posting!
More Barbra Streisand movies here!
Hot Toasty Rag Nominations:
Best Picture of 1968
Best Director: William Wyler
Best Actress: Barbra Streisand