Funny Girl

(William Wyler, US 1968, 151 min., 35mm)

50th Anniversary. Barbra Streisand’s Oscar-worthy performance is the highlight of this musical biography of Fanny Brice, the well-known stage, film, and radio comedian of the early twentieth century. Brice, bursting with talent but not a “traditional” beauty, is desperate to start a career on the stage. After getting her foot in the door at a vaudeville show, she manages to attract the attention of the Ziegfeld Follies and becomes one of their most popular acts. She also attracts the attention of Nicky Arnstein (Omar Sharif), a gambler in relationships and life, who will become her greatest love.