By: Alex Phuong (Two Beers) –
Funny Lady (1975) Bonus Drinking Game
Take a Drink: for every musical number
Have Another Toast: during the show-stopping musical number “How Lucky Can You Get”
And Cheers: to the brilliance of Barbra Stresisand!
Movie Review
As of 2020, Barbra Streisand remains one of the most celebrated performers the world has ever known. She has done a plethora of work ranging from serving as producer and director for The Prince of Tides to singing her way into the hearts of audiences with songs like “Memory” and “Evergreen.”
In the film In & Out, Joan Cusack’s character, Emily, delivers the line, “Does anybody here know how many times I’ve had to watch Funny Lady?!”
Emily’s frustration is actually justifiable.
A Toast!
Nominated for five Academy Awards, this film has received recognition in categories similar to other famous musicals, including “Best Costume Design” and “Best Score.” The music is undeniably wonderful, and it even features the powerfully original song, “How Lucky Can You Get.” Barbra Streisand delivers passionate and pivotal musical numbers in this continuation of the story of the “funny girl” that made her a star.
Beer Two
While Funny Girl remains one of the greatest films ever made, this sequel unfortunately suffers from “sequelitis.” “Fanny Brice” was a much better heroine in the original film, and Streisand does not have the same level of charm as she did in the film role that earned her an Academy Award while famously tying with Katharine Hepburn.
Verdict
Funny Lady definitely deals with more mature themes than the original Funny Girl. Unfortunately, though, this film really is not that funny. (Sorry for the bad pun.)
