Star!

Rating:
Summary: Julie as Gertie in a Stunning Tour-de-Force.
Review: Julie Andrews portrays British musical theatre star Gertrude Lawrence in "Star!" (1968). Because it was crafted by the same team responsible for "West Side Story" and "The Sound of Music," most notably director Robert Wise and producer Saul Chaplin, great things were expected of "Star!" Dismissed by most critics and overshadowed by Barbra Streisand's "Funny Girl," released the very same year, "Star!" is a wonderful movie musical soley due to the performance of Julie Andrews, who delivers a stunning, tour-de-force. Andrews performs a dozen major musical numbers, ranging from seedy music halls circa WWI to Lawrence's stage triumph in the Kurt Weill-Ira Gershwin musical play "Lady in the Dark" in 1941. The score represents some of the best of the Gershwins, Cole Porter, and Noel Coward, the latter winningly played by Coward's godson, Daniel Massey. His performance alone is reason enough to watch the film. However, it the skilled, winning performance of Julie Andrews that makes this long (3 hours) musical biography worth watching. Julie not only sings but dances and acts to perfection, displaying ample versatility. This film would be most appealing to those who love Julie Andrews and the by-gone era of the musical theatre between the two world wars. The film suffers from being somewhat overblown and poorly paced - the thin screenplay gives the viewer little or no insight into what made Gertrude Lawrence really tick, but Julie Andrews delievers the goods - and then some.

Rating:
Summary: Finally... now STAR! can never be lost
Review: STAR! has been my favorite Julie Andrews movie since the first time I watched it. It took so long to do so; I had difficulty finding it because of its rarity. It's such a shame that this movie flopped at its release in 1968, for STAR! is a real gem that should be in every Julie and musical fan's collection. It's like a travel back in time, with witty commentary and snippets of Noel Coward plays, and an era... both are thoroughly delightful. The songs in it by the Gershwins, Cole Porter, and Kurt Weill are simply marvelous, addictive, and irresistible. They'll be stuck in your head as you continuously quote from the movie as well!!! This movie is one that you either absolutely love... or despise, there really isn't anything in between, which is the same feeling I noticed with Moulin Rouge. And if you loved Moulin Rouge, I definitely recommend this. The wardrobe and the Cartier diamonds are magnificent. Julie's dancing, acting, and singing are all spectacular. Unfortunately, STAR! did not win any Academy Awards, although it was nominated for seven. SEVEN! See it, and learn what being a STAR! is all about.

Rating:
Summary: Julie Andrews At Her Stunning, Versatile Best
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Now... I can't wait!!!
Review: Originally, when I saw that my favorite movie was coming out on DVD I was happy. I wouldn't have to worry about wearing out my VHS copy anymore. I had been disappointed that there were no special features listed; I knew that there were commentaries and other extra footage floating around because it was on the laserdisc. I checked back recently, and to my surprise now some of that wonderful insight is listed! I'm glad to see that this won't be like the Millie DVD. I can't wait!

Rating:
Summary: An almost great DVD - but not quite!
Review: This film is a joy from start to finish! CLASSY is the perfect word! But the people at Fox could have done a little more to bring the same class to their DVD. Sadly, they forgot to include the Intermission break and Entr'acte Music available on the (for its time) superb LaserDisc release. And considering the improvements in "clean-up" possibilities over the last couple of years, Fox could have removed some of the dirt marks and scratches visible here and there. Also, grain and color balance are far from perfect. Apparently Fox decided to transfer the LaserDisc master to DVD without any further touch up jobs. A little depressing, I must confess! And how I miss that music in the middle of the film!
Now, how about "Can-Can" and "State Fair" (1962) on DVD? Mastered from first class prints, of course! And 100% COMPLETE, thanks!

Rating:
Summary: Julie is amazing!!
Review: I first saw this fabulous film in its theatrical release in 1968. I remember being floored by the period detail, the opulent sets and costumes, and the fabulously recreated musical numbers. But nothing prepared me for the astonishing range of Julie Andrews' singing and acting. She has never looked or sounded better. This should have been her "Funny Girl," which was released about the same time, but for whatever reason, it never caught on with audiences. Gertrude Lawrence, whose life is supposedly represented here, merely serves as an excuse for Robert Wise et. al. to mount a love-fest for Julie. This is a timeless tribute to one of the great stars of musical comedy. Will she ever sing again? Is there a movie version of "Sweeney Todd" in the wings? She would be tremendous. Star is stunning!!

Rating:
Summary: Endless but diverting
Review: I watched this nearly 3 hour movie in one hour segments, 2 hours yesterday, the last of it just now. I found it paradoxical. I did not like it, yet I did not notice the time going by. It was about the most (to me) glittering era of show biz history, yet it was like champagne that has gone flat. I won't keep my copy, I will give it away. I don't want it and don't want to see it again. Noel Coward's part didn't come alive for me until near the middle, of course, he wasn't in the flick much before then either. And I thought both Andrews and Massey botched the 2 Coward show snippets they tried to recreate. With Andrews at the helm, the musical numbers of course were good, but (sigh) they weren't wonderful. I thought Richard Crenna overacted and was pompous and stodgy, not strong and decisive which his character seemed to imply. There was very little humor in this movie despite the fact that Noel Coward had so much to do with the story. I thought (like this review) that it just went no where for about 3 hours. An interesting note. It came out the same year as Funny Girl, and like Funny Girl, in the beginning when Lawrence was trying to break into show biz, she botches her number in the chorus and trips the other girls (by entangling them in the long wrapping from the leg of her military uniform, this the "Oh What a Lovely War" number), but the audience loves her. Brice does the same thing in the beginning of Funny Girl, only she does it on roller skates. I did not like The Sound of Music either, but preferred Star! infinitely to that. I thought the best thing about it was the title song, particularly the lyric written by Samy Cahn of all people. He was no Larry Hart, but I thought those words were delightful. Like I said, I found it a paradoxical movie. I didn't like it, I was bored, yet it held my interest and I do not want to see it again.

Rating:
Summary: Julie as Gertie in a Stunning Tour-de-Force.
Review: Julie Andrews portrays British musical theatre star Gertrude Lawrence in "Star!" (1968). Because it was crafted by the same team responsible for "West Side Story" and "The Sound of Music," most notably director Robert Wise and producer Saul Chaplin, great things were expected of "Star!" Dismissed by most critics and overshadowed by Barbra Streisand's "Funny Girl," released the very same year, "Star!" is a wonderful movie musical soley due to the performance of Julie Andrews, who delivers a stunning, tour-de-force. Andrews performs a dozen major musical numbers, ranging from seedy music halls circa WWI to Lawrence's stage triumph in the Kurt Weill-Ira Gershwin musical play "Lady in the Dark" in 1941. The score represents some of the best of the Gershwins, Cole Porter, and Noel Coward, the latter winningly played by Coward's godson, Daniel Massey. His performance alone is reason enough to watch the film. However, it the skilled, winning performance of Julie Andrews that makes this long (3 hours) musical biography worth watching. Julie not only sings but dances and acts to perfection, displaying ample versatility. This film would be most appealing to those who love Julie Andrews and the by-gone era of the musical theatre between the two world wars. The film suffers from being somewhat overblown and poorly paced - the thin screenplay gives the viewer little or no insight into what made Gertrude Lawrence really tick, but Julie Andrews delievers the goods - and then some.

Rating:
Summary: Now I understand...
Review: I'm a HUGE fan of Julie Andrews. Here's film with Julie in almost every frame; Robert Wise directing; top-notch production values...costumes, sets, photography, choreography by Michael Kidd, Noel Coward songs...So why does the film fall so flat? Could it be that Julie is a soprano and Gertie Lawrence was a mezzo? Is Julie trying too hard to make Gertie likeable? Could it be the abysmal screenplay of William Fairchild? I'd only seen parts of this film in the past, and now I own the DVD. It's a good transfer, with a wonderful 2.35:1 LBX to show off period detail. There's the wonderful Daniel Massey playing Noel Coward, and his performance saves much of the film. Still, if you want to see the 20's & 30's period detail, I would recommend the original "42nd Street" with Ginger Rogers: More exciting, more interesting and far more entertaining. I do admit, Julie's rendition of "Someone to Watch Over Me" is lovely; she's in soprano mode.

Rating:
Summary: Finally a true version
Review: Thankfully the Hollywood bosses have decided to give us the full (widescreen) version of Star!. I have been a fan of this under appreciated film for years. Having watched the DVD now consider it the best muscial Julie Andrews ever did. The acting is great and the film depicts the eras. I would recommend to anyone who like movie musicals or are interested in Gertrude Lawrence.

What a great find.