¡La estrella!

Yes, the story is somewhat thin. But Julie's performance, the music, the backstage scenes, the glamorous locales, the automobiles, the stage -- fill in where plot is lacking. This is, after all, a docu-musical that is, from what I know, a more literal rendering of Gertrude Lawrence's razzle-dazzle lifestyle, than a falsification of what actually happened. Robert Wise has said, to paraphrase him, that this is the one film he wished he could have done something else with. I personally would have included more scenes of Gertie being interviewed as she watched her life on the black & white tinny newsreels, and thus it may have bracketed her full color TODD-AO widescreen recollections. It might have drawn us more into her point-of-view. Still, the stage numbers, locales, party scenes (drunken one or two may have been) are fun to watch and experience. Script aside, the film is very well crafted, indeed.

Robert Wise's "STAR!" got lost in 1968 as the public and indeed the world's taste and sensibilities quickly changed. The big Hollywood Musical was no longer in vogue as were pretty English sopranos. The public was now more fascinated by "real" looking films and exotic looking large nosed female singers. Fate has a funny way of turning things around and what was I am sure considered a fiasco at the time by Twentieth Century Fox now appears as a newly discovered masterpiece. In "STAR!" we get to see a never more beautiful Julie Andrews give her strongest performance as the temperamental British actress Gertrude Lawrence. She shows more depth as an actress in this film than in any of her other musicals. She is also in top vocal form and that genius is showcased in about fifteen brilliant and lavish musical numbers. "STAR!" is worth viewing for this alone. Michael Kidd deserves much praise for the witty and stylish way he staged these production numbers. In the last "circus" number, Kurt Weil's "Saga of Jenny", Andrews not only sings and dances but does actual gymnastics as well!!! This has to be one of the highlights of Hollywood musicals of all time. Visually "STAR!" is a treat for the eyes. Costume designer, Donald Brooks' contribution is another reason this film must be seen. He has created some of the most beautiful gowns and costumes ever to grace the screen. They are not only large in number but elegant and chic in a way that is not seen today. His designs are reminiscent of Adrian's best work at MGM. Art director, Boris Levin, does so well with both recreating the historical locations and the "on stage" scenery, it reminds you why he is one of Hollywood's most successful designers. Daniel Massey takes a brave approach to his portrayal of his real life godfather, Noel Coward. He creates the illusion without ever falling into mimicking, stereotypical gestures. He proves a good support to the star of "STAR!", Julie Andrews who will only win more fans and artistic respect from viewers of this film.

"Star!" was one of the most notorious financial bombs of the 1960s, the main reason probably being that when it was released the public was getting tired of musicals. Certainly, the movie itself has some faults that may not have attracted some audiences. The movie is both too long and not long enough, for one thing. It's kind of tough to sit through a movie that's almost three hours long. And curiously, despite this long running time, the portrait of Gertrude Lawrence seems unfinished. We don't really get to see what is driving this woman. And her personal life is only lightly looked at, such as the fact that while she had a daughter, this daughter character has hardly any time devoted to her.

But the movie also has its share of strengths. The performances are very good, the strongest being that of (no surprise) Julie Andrews. She puts so much enthusiasm into her role that it does help make up for her somewhat shallowly written character. And the musical numbers sprinkled throughout are indeed excellent, with some great choreography mixed in as well. Fans of movie musicals will probably embrace this movie the best, but the movie does have some genuine appeal to other people as well, if they are patient enough to sit through almost 180 minutes of film that isn't perfect.

It is not often that one can find a film where the leading lady looks as chic or as elegant as Julie Andrews does in Robert Wise's misunderstood masterpiece STAR!. Much of the credit must go to Academy Award nominated designer Donald Brooks. The wardrobe Miss Andrews wears is both large in number (over 125 different changes) and incredibly beautiful. This is the only film that comes to mind where the costumes seen to actually turn in a performance. I cannot imagine what this film would be like without Donald Brooks' extraordinary contributuion. He along with the millions of dollars worth of Cartier jewels make this film a memorable experience. For real eye candy STAR! cannot be beat!!!

If somebody wins a fortune at a Casino, will you finance the winner to have another go? Absurd, right? That's what I'm afraid happened here. Robert Wise and Julie Andrews were coming out of the most sensational success with "The Sound of Music". The kind of success that tends to be unrepeatable. What were they thinking then? The experts, I mean. The green light guys. Gertrude Lawrence was not Maria Von Trapp. But Julie Andrews was, is and always will be Julie Andrews. For an actor that must be a blessing even if most actors treat it like a curse. We can accept Julie in everything as long as you don't expect us to forget that she's Julie. She can poke fun at herself and show her boobs in "S.O.B" or pretend to be a man pretending to be a woman in "Victor Victoria" She can also play a quadriplegic in bed with Liam Neeson in "Duet for One" because the writing and the treatment of the character is, one way or another, tailor made. She managed to be Julie Andrews without betraying what the public, her public expects of her. A blessing or a curse? It doesn't matter, the actress herself can decide whether is one thing or the other. Julie Andrews has remained a name to be reckon with. Right up to Shrek. Star! gives her some fantastic moments, musical moments. Surrounded by great production values and wonderful costumes plus a delightful Daniel Massey as Noel Coward. But the shape of the film is a mess. We can't truly connect with her and we get lost in the masses and masses of information. From biopic to comedy, to drama to musical the film never finds the right tone. Disjointed, confused and confusing. I'm sure the film will find a new breath of life after we stop breathing. There is something in it that it's valuable and great but, at the moment, remains buried under the puzzling heaviness of its intentions.