Review of Funny Girl (1968) by Steven B — 25 Sep 2009

This movie is all about Babs. She is in like every scene almost. I can see why she won the oscar for this movie. She shows how great an actress and singer she is. It is amazing that it is her first movie.

This movie reminds me a lot of "A Star Is Born." It is interesting how the old movies like this have sad endings, which is actually more realistic. Most of today's romantic movies always end with a happy ending.

Even though this is a musical, it seems profound in that it tells the story of a romance that you can tell is doomed from the start. Haven't we all had those. But, Barbra's character gains confidence from her relationship, as Omar's character loves her for who she is and makes her feel beautiful.

It sucks that he loves her, but has such stupid hang ups like wanting to live a carefree life of gambling. I guess the ending song hints that she will go back to her husband and possible give up show business for him.

I chose to believe that she will move on with career and find someone who is not so hung up on how her successes outway his. This is definitely a classic, but not one of the greatest movies I ever saw.

I think what I didn't like was the fact that they paired down so many of the supporting characters for the film, so they could give Babs more screen time. She had her mom and Zegfield, but they just seemed like bit parts in her life.

It gave the movie a very lonely feel to it. Babs was very funny, yet very sad. You really could feel her pain. Of course she steals the show.