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26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Julie Andrews At Her Stunning, Versatile Best, February 4, 2004
Feverish debate always surrounds the true merits of this controversial 1968 musical. Thoughts seem to be continually divided as to whether "Star!",was the "the film that deservedly sank the career of Julie Andrews", or that it was "the greatest piece of work Julie Andrews has ever done on film". From the moment of this film's original release in 1968 they are the two most hotly contested viewpoints about this Robert Wise production that reteamed him with his "The Sound of Music", leading lady Julie Andrews. I tend to think after repeated viewings that "Star!",contains some of the best work by a musical comedy actress in the whole 1960's decade and certainly is one of the crowning achievements in the acting career of Julie Andrews despite the films lack of financial success. Why wasn't this film then the success many feel it ought to have been? Firstly by late 1968 the musical genre was definately going out of style with the advent of much more permissive "socially questioning" dramas such as "Midnight Cowboy", and "Easy Rider", and the period saw a very high number of big budget movies like "Paint Your Wagon", and "Sweet Charity", not being successful at the Box Office. Also the role of the feisty, foul mouthed Gertrude Lawrence was a big departure from the usual type of role that had endeared Julie Andrews to movie goers. While different from her roles in "The Sound of Music", and "Thoroughly Modern Millie", "Star!", needs to be judged on its own individual merits and is a marvellous showcase for the multi talents of Julie Andrews.Undertaking a film biography of such a complex and multifaceted lady as Gertrude Lawrence who was one of the shining lights of the stage in the early years of the 20th Century would have been a daunting task for any producer to undertake. "Star!", in an almost 3 hour running time however succeeds beautifully in tracing Lawrence's very humble beginnings in Clapham, London where she spent more time ducking ripe fruit being thrown at her on stage than singing, right through to her toast of Broadway successes in "Private Lives", and "Lady in the Dark". The production is rich in stunning musical numbers where the full force of the unique talent of Julie Andrews is amply in evidence. "Limehouse Blues", the beautiful "Parisian Pierrot", "Piccadilly" and my personal favourite the stunning finale of "Jenny" really are in a class of their own as far as 1960's musicals go. Julie Andrews is superlative as Gertrude Lawrence and despite many people at the time feeling she was miscast and that the film overall misrepresented Lawrence, I believe she does admirably as the brassy cockney entertainer who from sheer force of personality reached the top of the entertainment world. A fatal mistake is to watch "Star!", expecting to see a slight variation on Mary Poppins or Maria Von Trapp. Here Julie Andrews creates a totally different type of character who is in turn funny, exasperating, tragic, self centred and reflective, all in the one package. Her progression through the film from frantic twenties flapper to a goddess of the depression era of the 30's, and then a mature self assured leading lady in the 40's is achieved with a sure eye for what is right for the characters progression by Andrews. Daniel Massey plays Lawrence's life long friend Noel Coward in a masterful performance that is among his best ever and in his interpretation of Coward he manages to be respectful while still showing the great wit and sardonic viewer of life that Coward was reported to be. "Star!",has the feel of an old fashioned musical comedy about it and I find that one of the film's most appealing qualities. Entertainment and history are intermingled through the innovative use of newsreel footage of the time and reenactments of scenes from Lawrence's great successes on stage in "Private Lives". The film is rich with lavish production numbers with music penned by such celebrated artists as the Gershwins and Cole Porter. The "Jenny", musical number which comes at the conclusion of the film in particular is startling in it's construction and Julie Andrews displays an energy and fluidity here that is a revelation as far as dance sequences go. Nominated for seven Academy Awards "Star!", really came along at the wrong time and another musical extravaganza that year "Funny Girl", featuring an amazing film debut for Barbra Striesand totally eclipsed it both in financial success and awards. Visually the film is a real treat for the viewing eye as Julie Andrews wears an incredible wardrobe throughout the film which grows increasingly lavish over the 40 year running period of the film. Designed by Donald Brooks, Julie Andrews had the rare honour of having the largest single wardrobe created for an actress in the one film up to that time. I always feel that "Star!", in some respects gave us an early glimpse of the Julie Andrews that amazed the world in her great comeback film of 1981 "Victor/Victoria". As Gertrude Lawrence she is in turn extroverted, tender, regretful of many of her actions, and always the live wire. Rarely have I heard her in better voice than in "Star!", and her musical numbers in most respects are far more difficult ones than in her earlier musicals. Neglected and scorned at the time of its release just when the press seemed to turn against her, "Star!", certainly deserves a better press. Combined with Julie Andrews next effort the monumental "Darling Lili", which suffered the same fate at the Box Office in 1970, both are blamed for ending Andrews' career in movies. Both in fact are due for a reassessment and no film has displayed the unique abilities of Julie Andrews to better advantage than "Star!". Do yourself a favour and take a look at this unfairly maligned film some time, you wont regret it.
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