Star!

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: How did it fail!
Review: This is a wonderful movie and one of my favourites. I was not born when this movie was released but how on earth did it do so badly when films sutch as Hello Dolly!(Boring) and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang(pale imitation of Mary Poppins) were doing so well!
When i first saw this i had just watched Thoroughly Modern Millie and thought the world of Julie Andrews and so when i saw this film, really dedicated to her and not just to Gertrude Lawrence(i thought she lived a rather boring life and didn't sing very well)i thought it was smashing. She looks amazing in this and acts her heart out and although the rest of the cast were a bit cardboard (excluding Daniel Massey from that, he WAS Noal Coward in this) there was still Julie belting out some fantastic numbers. I love the idea of how nasty Julie performed the London singer. It showed her versatility and i always thought there was another side to Mary Poppins!

Rating:
Summary: Thoroughly Fantabulous Julie!
Review: Released in 1968, it...well.. it flopped. I think it was because fans of The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins did not like seeing Julie in this kind of role, which is unfortunate. Star! is my favorite movie, and as the back of the video says, it is Julie in a dazzling tour de force. The songs are great, a number of them were written by the Gershwins, Noel Coward, and Cole Porter. Julie should have won the Academy Award for her portrayal of Gertrude Lawrence, she shows great versatility, and is witty and bitchy and just wonderful to watch. If you are a fan of Julie's or the musical theatre, you simply must watch it, at least once. (I personally have watched it 9 times since May.) If you would like to discuss it, feel free to email me, i would love to chat with you. [email address]

Rating:
Summary: "I shouldn't have done it..."
Review: This movie i believe is one of the greatest works of Julie Andrews. Unfortunately this movie wasn't as big of a box office smash as all her other films and it's to bad.The production numbers alone in this film are wonderful and really show the incrediable range that Julie has. My favorite number is "Limehouse Blues." Even though i only have a copy in Stereo VHS it is still very powerful with it's full orchestration and booming lows.. Another thing is that this is presented in it's Roadshow format complete with "Intermission."I'm hoping despertly that 20th Century Fox will release this on DVD in 5.1. This is a beautiful musical and a wonderful accurate story of Gerty. Another wonderful thing about this movie is that all the production numbers are shown completely.

Rating:
Summary: One star for Star
Review: Gertrude Lawrence was a funny funny person, who had a so so voice, but great charisma. Julie Andrews has nothing to brinbg to this role except a voice that is, as usual, thin, unexpressive, along with her dry white wine personality. No talent for the deeper roles ever, and this is a total surface performance, with Richard Crenna, in a huge role, who used to be on TV as Walter Denton in Our Miss Brooks, with Eve Arden!

The score is ruined by all in it, the script is excruciating, and this film was, very soon after its release, cut to less than two hours and the title changed to Those Were The Happy Times. It was a major flop after The Sound of Music, and Robert Wise turned to the much better script, The Sand Pebbles, and made a major star out of Steve McQueen. Jule Andrews is best as Mary Poppins or as Millie in Thoroughlly Nodern Millie..anything else impossible.

Audrey Hepburn played Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, dubbed no less, becauise George Cukor, the director, couldn't see any talent for the screen in Andrews. Hepburn was the better choice.

Forgettable, and not camp..dull to the point of genius.

Rating:
Summary: Star - under rated !
Review: To the point - 'Star' was launched at the wrong time when musical films was not getting that popular. Apart from that 'Star' is one of the best production I ever seen. The songs are fantastic,I can see it again and again. Julie is the perfect choice for the role and indeed she is the Star.

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Rating:
Summary: Julie Andrews is the star!
Review: This film, in my opinion is exactly the kind of film Julie Andrews needed. She breaks free from her forever view of being "the perfect nanny" and becomes the maddening and infuriaiting theater star, Gertrude Lawrence.
This film has some of the most spectacular numbers and wonderful scenery and costumes(that being my favorite aspect!) Julie Andrews is wonderful as the actress searching for a love to equal that of an audience. Daniel Massey plays Lawrences Lifelong friend 'Noel Coward' and he is also brilliant, his clever lines and witty attitude amuse you thoroughly. This film is my favorite film of Julie Andrews and has greatly influenced me in the genre of Musical Theater, this is one Hollywood musical you do not want to miss!!

Rating:
Summary: star! Dazzled Film Critics And Audiences
Review: Eventhough Star! grossed only $7-Million at the U.S. Box-Office
on a reported budget of $14-Million. Star! was nominated for 7
oscar awards and 4 Golden Globes Awards including Best Picture
in a musical comedy. the musical set pieces are all superb. it
was only Gertrude Lawrence' temperimental, sarcastic, profane and
at times self- destructive attitude that led to audiences rejection to this masterpiece.
Andrews are not like that in real life. and audiences want to
see Julie Andrews in a sweet, kind, attitude role. Robert Wise
is a superb director. congratulations for making audiences taste
a unique musical that enthralled new generations of fans. i like the films is because of it's production numbers are all wonderful. the costumes are all pleasing to my eyes. wow! it sould have won oscar for best costume. Julie Andrews is a real Sar! no matter the movie flop at the box-office, i dont care. the most important is if the film entertain you. the music are all beautiful to hear. it solved my problems. honestly.

Rating:
Summary: Star! Struck
Review: "Star!" truly tells the story of a star, and it was even better because it was represented by a true star. Julie is wonderful here, and I must disagree with those who cal "Star!" the flop of Julie's career. It's truly not. It's completely supercalifragilisticexpealadocious. and it suits her beautif'lly

Rating:
Summary: Way ahead of its time
Review: I think this film, with its flashy use of newsreels, narration and musical-numbers-commenting-on-the-plot device was way ahead of its time in 1968. Is it an accurate biography of Gertrude Lawrence? No. Like 1968's more financially successful music bio Funny Girl, a star from an earlier era inspires a showcase for a dazzling new star. I can't think of a better idea for a film musical.

I've always thought this is Robert Wise's best film (yes, I know, that includes Sound of Music!). And it certainly is Julie at her very best.

Now if only Fox would issue it on DVD....