Review of Funny Girl (1968) by Pucifer — 25 May 2013

For the most part, a wonderfully funny, musical delight. I thought the direction was excellent except in a few brief scenes where Ms Streisand runs amok. However, Ms. Streisand's singing is brilliant and extraordinary, which more than makes up for those few minor lapses.

I also thought the cinematography is spectacular, as is the art direction and production design. The costumes (including those in the musical stage numbers) are beautiful, but from a modern humane perspective, there is way too much use of fur and feathers--they must have skinned a whole generation of minks, and wiped out several species of exotic birds.

I suppose that might be a historically accurate or glamorized detail, but in my view it detracts from an otherwise superior entertainment, so I deducted one point and give this film a "9" instead of a "10" which it would otherwise deserve.

I agree with others who say the film's second half bogs down in melodrama a tad too much, however, that sets up nicely for the stunning musical climax.