Victor/Victoria (1982)

Victor/Victoria is a 1982 British-American musical comedy film released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and starring Julie Andrews, James Garner, Robert Preston, Lesley Ann Warren, Alex Karras, and John Rhys-Davies. The film was produced by Tony Adams, directed by Blake Edwards, and scored by Henry Mancini, with lyrics by Leslie Bricusse. It was adapted in 1995 as a Broadway musical. The film was nominated for seven Academy Awards and won the Academy Award for Original Music Score. It is a remake of the 1933 German film Viktor und Viktoria.In this film version Victoria Grant (Julie Andrews), a down-and-out British soprano, struggles to find work in the nightclubs of 1930s Paris. While trying to scam a free meal, Grant meets cabaret performer Toddy (Robert Preston), who comes up with an idea that will change everything. Acting as her manager, Toddy bills Grant as a male female impersonator. When the nightclubs eat it up, the duo makes it big -- even a Chicago mobster (James Garner) is enamored with Grant. But keeping the truth a secret is no easy task.I was 15 when this movie was released. I loved it then and I still love this film now. It was way ahead of its time. The film holds up. In fact its one of the rare occasions that a film has improved with age! This movie was nominated for Best Picture of 1982. Other movies nominated that year were "ET', "Tootsie", " Missing","The Verdict". However V/V lost to Ghandi. Now almost years later what movies do people still love and talk about well its not "Ghandi". The only thing wrong with V/V is that it runs a little long. 10 minutes should have been cut. The scene in bed where they are singing "Home on the Range" should have been eliminated it was not needed and he halts the films! Despite that minor flaw this is one of might favorite movies of the 1980's. I think if this movie was to be made and released today it would be a huge hit. The movie was ahead of its time.

As the film begins it is easy to identify that the film is old because of the credits and drawings, they are basic and not modern and technical like the movies of the 21st century.The film is set in Paris in 1934 just after the depression. In the opening scene homosexuality is evident, which sets the tone for the movie. The name Victor Victoria is a play on words, as one is generally a boy's name and the other is generally a girl's name, yet being of the same context it could be predicted that it is the same person or a gender battle.There is a lot of foreshadowing in the beginning of the movie. Victoria is starving and sees a man eating all this food, almost like a prince and the pauper setting, she then faints. The crux of the movie is when Victoria puts on a man's clothes. We begin to see a major contrast of how men and women differ, as well as the privileges and advantages there are of being a male in Paris in the 1930's.This is a modern classic as the issues that this movie deals with still rings true today. Women are far more accepted in the work place and they do run in high circles in these days, but in many countries, traditions and religions, women are still inferior to men. The issue of homosexuality is something that is still a tender issue to discuss in most cultures. It has become more acceptable to speak about it openly, and it has become more acceptable to people, however many people still see it as wrong. The issue of one man accepting homosexuality is still a major thing today. Perhaps the thing is that men feel that it makes them weaker, when in actual fact, in may make them stronger, and help them to find their identities and self acceptance. The bodyguard is what you would consider as a real tough man, yet he is gay, and it deals with the stereotype of what a gay man should look like and act like. The bodyguard also pretends to be this tough man to fit into the mould of a man, this type is issue happens every day in the world as people are still afraid to speak openly about their sexuality.Comedies are often used for serious issues. The humour deflects the real issue at hand; it deals with it without actually having a direct issue. This is a musical comedy, however the music only happens when the actors are on stage doing a production, it does not occur throughout the movie in everyday life.Humour exposes truth in a tolerable way and gives a good feeling about the issue; it leaves a positive taste in your mouth about a very taboo or serious social issue. Humour exposes the truth and breaks down the stereotypes and stigmas of society. It may help people see both sides of a story and understand other people's perspectives. This modern classic is relatable and it deals with issues from past to present, it stands the test of time and is enjoyable through all the ages.

Not unlike many men my age,I developed a huge crush on Julie Andrews as a kid somewhere between Mary Poppins and Maria Von Trapp.Over the years,Ms.Andrews has made it plain that she while she did enjoy working on the two films that produced these characters,she has not enjoyed the stereotyped image it produced for her.So,she set out to prove that she was indeed not the goody two shoes type that she has often been perceived to be.If that was her quest,she more than conquered it with her performance in this film.While I understand her position,I'm not one of those people that needed to see a film like this in order to understand that she isn't at all like those first two characters she played.It's all fantasy and I get that.All of that being said,I still prefer Mary and Maria vs. what she gives us here.

I can't believe how much I loved Victor/Victoria. It is charming, witty and a lot of fun, and you can tell everybody involved with it had a ball. To be honest, I wasn't sure whether I would like this movie. I thought it would be a vehicle for Julie Andrews like Star! was and little more, and the story at first I wasn't sure about and I can't quite put my finger on why.I am so glad though that I saw it, because it was an absolute hoot and infinitely better than expected. This is so much more than a Julie Andrews vehicle, while it is not her best film it is one of her more enjoyable ones. As for Andrews she is wonderful. Here she does play an atypical role on the surface, looking at Mary Poppins and Sound of Music you would never guess Andrews would play a bloke. But she does play the role with wit and charm, and to be doubly sure she was comfortable she is even given some fun songs to show off her very angelic voice, she is especially impressive in the show-stopper that is Le Jazz Hot with very clever execution of the fiendishly difficult two-octave slide.That's not all. Andrews is supported by an equally impressive cast. James Garner is dashing and immensely likable as the heterosexual troubled by his attraction to Andrews' character. Robert Preston is also outrageously camp but in a good way- Shady Dame from Seville is hilarious-, while Lesley Ann Warren(very funny and very sexy), John Rhys Davies and especially Alex Karras give stellar supporting turns as well.The songs are just great, especially the moving Crazy World. The melodies are memorable and fun and the lyrics are deliciously witty, and I have to say the cast did great justice to those songs not just in the performances but in making them their own too. Just as good is the choreography, which manages to be sprightly and energetic. Blake Edwards also deserves a lot of credit for two things, one is his funny and witty script, the other is his affectionate and tender direction while never being too showy.The production values are top drawer, the sets and scenery are very elegant and pleasing on the eyes, the lighting is never dull and the costumes especially the drag costumes are colourful arrays. The story and romance is interesting with very rare a false or dull note even with the lengthy length.All in all, a delightful movie and a must see for fans of Julie Andrews, Blake Edwards, musicals or James Garner. 10/10 Bethany Cox