Skip to main content

Funny Lady (1975)

Funny Lady 1975 Movie Poster

Funny Lady is a 1975 American biographical musical comedy-drama film directed by Herbert Ross and starring Barbra Streisand, James Caan, Omar Sharif, Roddy McDowall and Ben Vereen. A sequel to the 1968 film Funny Girl, it is a highly fictionalized account of the later life and career of comedian Fanny Brice and her marriage to songwriter and impresario Billy Rose. The screenplay was by Jay Presson Allen and Arnold Schulman, based on a story by Schulman. The primary score was by John Kander and Fred Ebb.

Story of singer Fanny Brice's stormy relationship with showman Billy Rose.

Freddy and Krasnaya Movie Review
***SPOILER ALERT***

K: Hi there! We close our week with a charming musical dramedy from 1975 - Funny Lady. A movie that is the continuation of Funny Girl (1968), in which Barbara Streisand made her film debut. In Funny Lady, the protagonist, Fanny Brice, appears before us at the peak of her career in the 1930s, but not at the best moment of her personal life. I can't consider myself a big fan of musicals, but the director elegantly wove the musical numbers into the narrative canvas.

F: Hi Krasnaya! It's so hoooooot again today... I would like to warn you that I've been drinking today, and I'm still a bit tipsy. So, this probably will be my best review ever. Funny Lady is a movie. I like movies. Just kidding. A musical! My favorite genre. I've chosen this movie for our James Caan tribute week to balance things out by having some romantic stuff for Krasnaya. It seems that she also doesn't like musicals... great. I could have gone with another thriller...

Being my least favorite genre, I can tell you that I was very much entertained for the 1st half of this movie! I didn't think this was strictly a musical, because the singing was being done on stages or studios where that stuff typically happens. But later in the movie, they start singing on trains and planes, and I don't like that because it makes me throw up.

Funnt Lady movie GIF
"Spray 'em' - I laughed so much here.
K: The movie has a good plot. Barbara Streisand has an excellent voice and the movie is filled with good music and dancing. And of course, costumes. They are just amazing! But throughout the movie, I couldn't help feeling that something was missing. I had a few favourite moments in the movie - the scene where Fanny is trying to get rid of Billy by throwing talcum powder at him, the scene on the train and the water show scene. These scenes made me feel a great chemistry happening between Barbara Streisand and James Caan. The rest of the time, I was a little bored watching what was happening on the screen.

F: There are moments of astonishing cinematography, like in my favorite scene where Streisand sings on top of a giant cigarette holder. Such a cool scene. Curiously, the cinematographer was a Chinese-born American called Wong Tung Jim and this was his last project. It earned him an Oscar nomination. Wikipedia tells us that during the 1930s and 1940s, he was one of the most sought after cinematographers in Hollywood due to his innovative filming techniques. What do you think about that? Really surprising!

The cinematography was not enough to save this movie from falling into the boring category. After 1 hour I was yawning. I was tired of  Billy and Fanny's relationship and I couldn't care less about Fanny's relationship with her ex-husband Nicky (Omar Sherif). They're all a bunch of cheating bastards. So, in this "second part" of the movie, me and Krasnaya were mostly yapping away while they sang their silly romantic songs.
Funny Lady movie GIF
Yep, awesome scene here!
K: The movie itself wasn't bad. I can recommend it to fans of the genre and fans of Barbara Streisand, obviously.

F: I've enjoyed this movie mostly because it spiced up my curiosity for the 30's. I love the American style from this era. This is a highly fictionalized account of Fanny Brice's later career as a comedian and singer, but nonetheless, she surely is an interesting character and I'm always glad to revisit people who have long been gone but are still so present if you wish so. If you like musicals, you will be blown away by this one, because it has amazingly vibrant dancing and singing moments. Barbara Streisand is simply a powerful singing lady. James Caan is also there but Streisand steals all the spotlights.

This is it for our tribute to James Caan. Tomorrow will bring you the week wrap-up.

Ben Vereen GIF
This guy is AMAZING - Ben Vereen
Freddy's Score: 38/100
Krasnaya's Score: 50/100

FINAL SCORE

CIGARETTE HOLDER

AQUACADE

HONEYMOON

Our blog is update everyday at 21:00 (WEST)
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Flow (2024)

Plot Summary: A stray cat navigates a post-apocalyptic flood, forming unexpected bonds with other animals as they struggle to survive in an ever-changing world. Without dialogue or anthropomorphism, the film delivers an emotional journey of resilience and adaptation. Director: Gints Zilbalodis Producer: Matīss Kaža, Gints Zilbalodis, Ron Dyens, Gregory Zalcman Screenplay: Gints Zilbalodis, Matīss Kaža Starring: No voice cast (dialogue-free film)   ***SPOILER ALERT*** A Video Game or a Movie? And we’re back! Still haven’t finished my Frank Oz filmography (only two movies to go!), but hey, when do I even have time to watch movies alone anymore? So, here we are again with another animated feature. This time, it’s Flow by Latvian director Gints Zilbalodis, a film that has racked up awards and was entirely made using Blender. At first, I was worried. The opening scene ...
Post a Comment
Click to read

10 Lives (2024)

Plot Summary: Beckett, a spoiled and selfish housecat, takes his nine lives for granted. After recklessly losing his final life, he is granted ten more—but with a catch. Director: Chris Jenkins Producers: Karen Wengrod, Ken Cinnamon, Ash Brannon, Ernesto Matamoros, Leland Cox Screenplay: Chris Jenkins, Karen Wengrod, Ken Cinnamon Starring: Mo Gilligan as Beckett Simone Ashley as Rose Ashley Sophie Okonedo as Grace Zayn Malik as Kirk and Cameron Dylan Llewellyn as Larry Llewellyn Jeremy Swift as Happy Bill Nighy as Professor Richard Craven   ***SPOILER ALERT*** Nine Lives Too Many Saturday afternoon with 10 Lives, directed by Christopher Jenkins. Jenkins has been in animation since at least 1988, starting as an effects animator on Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Now he brings us this 2024 film about Beckett, a selfish cat who loses his las...
Post a Comment
Click to read

Robot Dreams (2023)

Plot Summary: In 1980s NYC, a lonely dog buys a robot for companionship. After an accident separates them, both embark on journeys of longing, growth, and self-discovery, leading to an emotional conclusion. Director: Pablo Berger Producer: Arcadia Motion Pictures, Noodles Production, Les Films du Worso Screenplay: Pablo Berger (based on the graphic novel by Sara Varon) Starring: No voice cast (dialogue-free film)   ***SPOILER ALERT*** A Robot, A Dog, and a Lot of Feelings Another Sunday, another animated movie—this time, the critically acclaimed Robot Dreams, an adaptation of the book by Sara Varon. Right off the bat, this animation stands out with its slick flat-color style and complete lack of dialogue. It creates a beautifully detailed world where there’s always something to miss on the first watch. Set in a vibrant 1980s New York City populated by hundreds of ...
Post a Comment
Click to read

King of the Children (1987)

Plot Summary: Set during China's Cultural Revolution, The King of Children tells the story of Lao Gan, an educated youth sent to a remote village in the Yunnan-Guizhou region to work as a teacher. Director: Chen Kaige Producers: Xi'An Film Studio Screenplay: Adapted from Ah Cheng's novella with the same name Starring: Xie Yuan as Lao Gan Chen Shaohua as Principal Chen Yang Xuewen as Wang Fu   ***SPOILER ALERT*** Jumping Into Chinese Cinema Blindfolded Hey everyone. So, back in January, the internet had a little moment, and suddenly, millions of Americans rushed to a Chinese social media app called Red Note. I got curious, joined in, and ended up discovering a whole new world of culture thanks to some incredibly welcoming Chinese users. Naturally, I decided to ask for movie recommendations, and wow, they flooded in. But despite all the amazing suggestion...
Post a Comment
Click to read

Muppet Guys Talking (2017)

Plot Summary: *Muppet Guys Talking* is a delightful and intimate documentary where legendary Muppet performers come together to share behind-the-scenes stories, their creative process, and heartfelt memories of working with Jim Henson. Directed by Frank Oz, this candid conversation between the original Muppet team offers humor, nostalgia, and a deep appreciation for the art of puppetry and storytelling. Director: Frank Oz Producers: Victoria Labalme, Frank Oz Cast: Frank Oz as Himself Jerry Nelson as Himself Fran Brill as Herself Bill Barretta as Himself Dave Goelz as Himself   Sesame Street and My Childhood Escape To wrap up Frank Oz’s filmography, what better way than with the ultra-casual, heartwarming documentary Muppet Guys Talking? Now, I’ve mentioned before that I was never a hardcore Muppets fan, but Sesame Street? That was a different stor...
Post a Comment
Click to read

The Score (2001)

Plot Summary: Nick Wells, a veteran safe-cracker ready to retire and settle with his girlfriend Diane, is pulled into one last heist by his fence Max. Partnered with ambitious thief Jack Teller, they aim to steal a priceless French scepter from the Montreal Customs House, facing tension, trust issues, and betrayal. Director: Frank Oz Producers: Gary Foster, Lee Rich Screenplay: Kario Salem (story and screenplay), Daniel E. Taylor (story), Lem Dobbs, Scott Marshall Smith Starring: Robert De Niro as  Nick Wells Edward Norton as Jack Teller/Brian Marlon Brando as Max,  Angela Bassett as Diane   ***SPOILER ALERT*** A Heist Worth the Hype Finally got around to continuing my Frank Oz film journey, and tonight’s pick was The Score. A two-hour-and-forty-minute heist flick that I had been saving for when I had some serious s...
Post a Comment
Click to read