Critic Reviews
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Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
Streisand is stunning, but the film is a trial, particularly when the music disappears somewhere around the 90-minute mark and all that's left is leaden melodrama.
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, TIME Magazine
This extended Streisand Special has done absolutely nothing to correct the flaws in the Broadway original.
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Variety Staff, Variety
Barbra Streisand in her Hollywood debut makes a marked impact.
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, Time Out
Well worth watching, even if most later Streisand movies aren't.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
It is impossible to praise Miss Streisand too highly; hard to find much to praise about the rest of the film.
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Peter Howell, Toronto Star
The fun is there whenever Streisand is, and that could be reason enough for reacquainting yourself with Funny Girl.
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Renee Schonfeld, Common Sense Media
Dazzling musical romance is long but entertaining.
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Richard Luck, Film4
A fine movie musical and a nice reminder of the time when Streisand was a talent rather than a 'phenomenon'.
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, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Few film debuts in the 1960s were more auspicious than that of Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl.
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
I wish William Wyler's direction was more inventive and humurous (it's his first musical), but Streisand gives a meteoric performance, as Fanny Frice and as herself, showing a tremendous charismatic presence that goes beyond physical looks and acting.
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Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies
[Streisand gives] a natural, unforced performance, easily one of the three or four best Best Actresses in Oscar history.
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Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
One of the all-time great film musicals with dazzling Streisand.
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David Parkinson, Empire Magazine
You will have made your mind up about Babs one way or the other, but for the rare uninitiated, this is a fine introduction to her talents.
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Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
Given how she grew into perhaps the most annoyingly egocentric entertainer in all the world, it's difficult to imagine that Barbra Streisand was once an ingenue.
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Nick Davis, Nick's Flick Picks
Barbra Streisand gives one of the musical genre's most sublime performances--unfortunately in a stodgy, badly paced, overly produced movie that don't deserve her.
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Nell Minow, Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies
Hello, gorgeous!
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Marjorie Baumgarten, Austin Chronicle
Now more than ever, the time may be right for 'People Who Need People,' one of the many fine tunes that punctuate Funny Girl.
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Jean Lowerison, San Diego Metropolitan
It looks absolutely gorgeous -- a dye-transfer process has given more life to the already striking colors.
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Jamie Russell, BBC
In any other hands this might seem like paper-thin stuff, but Streisand's a consummate professional with the Midas touch.
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Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]
Songs like "Don't Rain on My Parade" live triumphantly on.
Read all 21 critic reviews
Featured Audience Ratings
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I was surprised at how relevant this story still is - take a look in the news lately and see how many columnists are talking about our changing work world, the one in which "feminine" skills are much more in demand and as a result, men have begun to feel insecure and less… More
I was surprised at how relevant this story still is - take a look in the news lately and see how many columnists are talking about our changing work world, the one in which "feminine" skills are much more in demand and as a result, men have begun to feel insecure and less confident when they aren't the provider they've been socialized to be. Nick Arnstein (Omar Sharif) turns increasingly to gambling in his attempt to keep up with his love (Barbra Streisand)'s success. I found his story to be almost the more interesting, intermittently updated though it was.
Before seeing this, I wrote it off as something old-timey for Broadway fans that plays all too well in the Borscht Belt, but it's not without its charms. A cliched story of a rise to fame, sure, and full of music that I don't really like, and a bit on the long side - there's a serious lull late in the second hour - but you shouldn't ignore the fact that William Wyler helmed this film. It's well-shot and funny and inspiring, on the whole, and a justifiable classic that's worth seeing once.
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Whyyyyy is this movie so long? There's nothing I dislike more than an overstuffed musical. Babs is cute, sometimes.
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This movie is the vision of what a Ziegfeld dancer should be, Barbra Streisand does a WONDERFUL JOB!!! :)
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This is a "yes I can!" biopic, with Streisand's zeal and down to earth appeal, magic vocal cords, and deliberate humor. Omar Sharif is magnificent as ever as Fanny's husband, and the production numbers are heartfelt and captures my attention and love.
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Bright musical biography of Ziegfeld Follies star Fanny Brice. Barbra Streisand, reprising her Broadway role is nothing less than astonishing in her film debut. As a biography, its authenticity is questionable, but as an introduction to the talent that is Barbra Streisand,… More
Bright musical biography of Ziegfeld Follies star Fanny Brice. Barbra Streisand, reprising her Broadway role is nothing less than astonishing in her film debut. As a biography, its authenticity is questionable, but as an introduction to the talent that is Barbra Streisand, it's stunning. This film is the prefect star vehicle for the singer. Everything revolves around her and she's in virtually every scene. Legendary director William Wyler was not known for comedies or musicals and he applies an over-produced, over-photographed feel to the proceedings. It's also over-long at 155 minutes. However, whenever our lead actress sings, it's magic. The iconic score includes the songs "People", "Don't Rain on My Parade" and "My Man".
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OMG -- I can't believe I've never seen this movie before, as long as it's been around! Babs was FABULOUS as usual -- I kinda hated to see Omar waste his many talents on a nasty character, but all the acting was fab and the sets and the costumes were wonderful -- again,… More
OMG -- I can't believe I've never seen this movie before, as long as it's been around! Babs was FABULOUS as usual -- I kinda hated to see Omar waste his many talents on a nasty character, but all the acting was fab and the sets and the costumes were wonderful -- again, as usual for a Babs movie.
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I really enjoyed the film. I loved all the music and songs. And Barbra Streisand did a great job with the role as Fanny Brice. I didn't even realize that it was based on a real life person at first, but she seems like she was a real hoot. She took a lot of risks, but she always… More
I really enjoyed the film. I loved all the music and songs. And Barbra Streisand did a great job with the role as Fanny Brice. I didn't even realize that it was based on a real life person at first, but she seems like she was a real hoot. She took a lot of risks, but she always got what she wanted. Except for in the end I guess. Although I didn't really care for Mr.Arnstein. He's too much a of "I'm a man, so my way or the highway" kind of guy. I think my only complain, is that film can be quite long at times. But thought it was overall a delight.
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My favorite Streisand movie! She is incredible and the songs are so perfect...never was there a dull moment in this film (:
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It's hard to review such a classic film when it's nothing like what you expected. I went in with dreams of a music-laced romp into the wild world of theatre, comedy, and romance. And I was right. Until the intermission. Then things got quite a bit darker and somewhat… More
It's hard to review such a classic film when it's nothing like what you expected. I went in with dreams of a music-laced romp into the wild world of theatre, comedy, and romance. And I was right. Until the intermission. Then things got quite a bit darker and somewhat flatter. The enchanting humour and joy was switched abruptly for a more mature feel, for lack of a better word. It's not better or worse, per say, but much different to the point of it being slightly jarring. That being said, the wonderful Mrs. Streisand was the one thing that held it all together. Her voice is stunning and her comedic timing nothing short of genius. She has that magic factor that not only makes her Oscar well-deserved but *also*, ladies and gents, what makes this a classic.
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Every few months I watch a classic musical, usually against my better judgment, for no reason other than to expand my cinematic experiences. Occasionally I?m pleasantly surprised, but if I have to sit through one more clunker like this I?m probably going to just give up on the genre.… More
Every few months I watch a classic musical, usually against my better judgment, for no reason other than to expand my cinematic experiences. Occasionally I?m pleasantly surprised, but if I have to sit through one more clunker like this I?m probably going to just give up on the genre. A boring, overlong, old fashioned film that is mostly devoid of any conflict or drama. The lead character is an annoying Jewish stereotype, and her shtick get old. The music isn?t even any good by any standards.
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Read all 13 featured audience ratings
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