MovieChat Forums > Funny Girl (1968) Discussion > Darker than I first thought...

Darker than I first thought...

posted 16 years ago by RodFtLaud
4 replies | jump to latest

You know, if you look at Fanny's manipulations and handling of Nick through an Oprah/Dr. Phil prism, her behavior is pretty dark. You get the feeling that the mother may have had similar problems with Fanny's father and now the daughter is - in a different way - repeating the same mistakes. Fanny's mother tells her what to do: talk to him and the two of them figure out what Nick should do together.

But Fanny can't get real or keep it real with her man. She's "Sadie" at last and nothing is going to rock that boat. That's why "Don't Rain on My Parade" always blows me away. I always thought it was a positive thing; then as I lived and loved a little, I realized that the song could be about how a little marginalized girl is going to be in the winner's circle....no matter what.

But once there (marital bliss), how do you stay? Fanny hasn't a clue because she hasn't done the work. She has the illusion. And then she doesn't even have that.

"Hot sun, cool breeze, white horse on the sea, and a big shot of vitamin B in me!"

[–] r.w.storm 15 years ago

Incisive, insightful comment. Thanks for posting it.

[–] RodFtLaud 15 years ago

Thank you. I never know if I'm off the deep end.

But I see this every day. People have an idea - especially young people - of what they want their lives to be, but no clue how to get there or stay there. It's all an illusion and therefore always just out of their grasp.

"Hot sun, cool breeze, white horse on the sea, and a big shot of vitamin B in me!"

[–] RodFtLaud 15 years ago

As I watch this movie again on TCM tonight I was thinking how Nicky's handsome looks could also make things worse for the character of Fanny.

He is doubly potent for her because he's the first handsome man she has ever attracted. She wants to posses him like a beautiful painting or a piece of fine jewelry - the first of your collection (the things you obsess over) always has a special hold over you.

And Fanny's mother mentions early in the movie that Fanny's father was also gorgeous. Just before she launches into Don't Rain on My Parade she says to Georgia, "I'll MAKE it right for him."

Who talks like that? Who believes like that? That sounds too desperate to be solely romantic passion.

"Hot sun, cool breeze, white horse on the sea, and a big shot of vitamin B in me!"

[–] TheCaliforniaOp (78) a year ago

Yep. She forces the issue constantly. To Nick (in the movie), that’s perhaps another intangible “weather front” that begins suppressing his luck/instincts. And if he believes that, then it’s true to him.

This characterization of Fanny wants all the way into all things Nick Arnstein.