Product: Funny Girl [VHS] (1968)
Rating: 5.0
The performance of a lifetime!
My life was changed,at 8 years old, when I walked into the theater to see, "Funny Girl, for the first time in 1968. It was amazing how Barbra Streisand as Fanny Brice could have that much of an impact on an 8 year old. Barbra Streisand's performance was a life altering experience from her first line:"Hello, Gorgeous" to her devastating finale of "My Man." I had never been so deeply moved by anything I had seen prior in my life and treasure the film to this day.I remember as a child it played in Metro Detroit, at the grandest theater, on a Roadshow Engagement for a year and a half and we would go every Saturday. I was very lucky to be surrounded by many Barbra fans. It was after seeing that performance I knew there was a reason to wake up in the morning. I always tell people until I saw "Funny Girl" I viewed the world in Black and White. When I walked out of the theater, after viewing for the first time, I saw the world in color.What made it so unique is, we were seeing Barbra Streisand's career unfolding as it was happening. The musical number "Don't Rain on My Parade" was like seeing the pre-cursor to the MTV video. It was the first time in a film where the song did not stay in a stationary place yet started in a train station in Baltimore and took you to Barbra on a tug boat to meet Nick Arnstein(Omar Sharif).I remember one night, after Barbra won the Oscar for the film, we were at the dinner table bantering back and forth for which scene she won the Academy Award for and my Mother piped in and said: "Honey, she won it for every frame of film in the movie!"For those of you whom have not seen "Funny Girl" I recommend it as a MUST see as you will never see a film debut or performance like this ever again. It won't be the exact same experience one had as they were watching her career unfold as it was happening as she also did the "My Man" finale live(No play back) and the results are astonishing. When she finishes that scene every emotion in your body has been touched, as she puts everything in her being into that number.Streisand's performance is flawless from start to finish and the score by Jule Styne with lyrics by Bob Merrill is timeless. What's great about the DVD restored version is they put a ton of money into it. It starts with a montage of the movie then the menu is a marquee. They included the entire Overture, intermission, E'nteracte and the exit music. There are also some great bonus treats as well.I give this film 5 plus stars for Streisand's outstanding performance and William Wyler's direction. Herb Ross, did a magnificent job on directing all the musical numbers and the supporting cast is all top drawer with excellent set design and art direction. The story is great and each musical number is a revelation. This is Barbra at her best!!! Buy it today, it will cheer you up when you are down. It will touch each emotion in you from hysterical laughter to tears. They could not make this movie today if they tried, as there is no one with the talent of Barbra Streisand to recreate the role.For those that do not know this, Barbra Streisand originated the role on Broadway in 1964 and became the toast of Broadway. They have tried for year to do a revival, yet cannot find anyone with all the skills needed to pull off the part. They most recently were going to finally bring it back to Broadway this Spring with Lauren Ambrose(From "Six Feet Under)as Fanny Brice. However,the show was cancelled in late November as they realized that Ms. Ambrose was not up to par to pull off and the producers pulled out. This was after Lauren had already been rehearsing for over a year. The theater was booked. The poster created and the supporting cast all in place. Bobby Conavalli was going to play Nick Arnstein, yet they decided it was not up to par.Unfortunately, I do not think they will ever find another Barbra Streisand to play this part? So, do yourself a favor, buy the DVD and sit back and watch the performance of a lifetime. I have selected a few of the best Barbra Streisand movies and concerts for my product link. Check them out as they are all masterpieces, to me, as well. I could add more, yet, limited to ten.Jeffrey Freedmanjs341@aol.comFunny GirlYentl (Two-Disc Director's Cut)The Way We Were (Special Edition)][[ASIN:B00005OLYF The Prince of TidesBarbra Streisand Collection (What's Up, Doc?/The Main Event/Up the Sandbox/Nuts)Barbra Streisand - The Television SpecialsOn a Clear Day You Can See ForeverBarbra Streisand - Timeless: Live in ConcertFunny GirlThe Owl and the PussycatOne Night Only Barbra Streisand and Quartet at The Village Vanguard September 26,2009 (DVD with CD)][[ASIN:B001KV21OG On a Clear Day You Can See Forever