Product: Funny Girl [VHS] (1968)
Rating: 5.0
No one could play the talented Fanny better than Barbra!!!
Prior to watching "Funny Girl," I had no idea of who either Barbra or Fanny were. I felt the sentiment and meaning behind the movie (a sweet girl can't get all the breaks--it's either her own professional success on stage or a gambling husband) and am now both a Streisand and a Brice fan. This film is recommended to those either unsure of who the great Fanny Brice was or to those unaware of Barbra's unlimited talents. In reality, it's for all "people, people who need people." Shariff's performance was great as well, as was Kay Medford's, who played Fanny's mother Rose. Ziegfeld will make you laugh and remind you of your grandpa and Barbra will make you giggle and tear up because she is so innocent and yet has such defiance and strength, at least in the beginning. "I'd Rather Be Blue Over You," "My Man," "Don't Rain on My Parade," "People," and "I'm the Greatest Star" are some of the catchy musical numbers in the film. If you don't cry the first time you watch it, rewind it and figure out what you have missed. You'll find that Barbra truly does have "36 expressions," if not a couple more. Watch closely and you'll see them all. The characterizations she uses are amazingly timeless. She'll "light up like a light" in this biographical film. Enjoy.