Review of Funny Girl (1968) by Jason B — 04 Jun 2010

If you don't think star power alone can carry a film, watch this and get ready to be proven wrong. Barbra Streisand is sensational as Fanny Brice, an aspiring performer who ends up getting her big break when she becomes a featured performer at the Ziegfeld.

This was Streisand's very first film role, and she turns it into a career making performance. Her singing voice melts your heart, and that final number with the tears streaming down her face is probably one of the greatest moments in musical history.

In terms of the movie as a whole, the first act is sensational. It has a fantastic blend of smart dialogue and catchy musical numbers. (Minor Spoiler) The second act is not quite as engaging, especially when it focuses on the deterioration of Fanny's marriage to Nick.

But in the second act, Streisand gets to flex more of her acting chops, and there are numerous moments that will transfix you to the screen. "Funny Girl" is a sensationally entertaining musical, and it's all thanks to Streisand's Academy Award winning performance.