Funny Girl

Funny Girl (1968) starring Barbra Streisand, Omar Sharif. Streisand stars as Fanny Brice, star of the Ziegfeld stage show, whose success on stage is belied by her unhappy private life. Sharif plays Nicky Arnstein, the rich gambler playboy who comes backstage and into her life. They fall in love and get married, but then Nicky's fortunes take a bad turn and it affects their relationship. The movie takes a surprisingly dark turn in the last half-hour or so, and it definitely lacks a happy ending. Another tear-jerker from Streisand, but who can blame her? It works for her. Even when the movie is a downer, her talent is incandescent. Songs include "People (Who Need People)" and "Don't Rain on My Parade." (Subtitles are available on the DVD in several languages, including English. Closed captions are also offered.) Grade: B