Victor/Victoria (1982)

Excellent but underrated film

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

Darling Julie makes an amazing comeback in the movies after 15 years away as box office poison or supporting in hits like "10" that starred other actors. She had a semi success with "S.O.B." the year before this brought her a surprising Oscar nomination, but that was simply for showing off her perky boobies. "Victor/Victoria" gives her a chance to sing and dance, and she dragged her way back into the hearts of fans who had either forgotten about her or were content watching re- releases of "The Sound of Music" and "Mary Poppins" in the movie theater. Along with husband Blake Edwards, Julie dug out an old chestnut, a 1930's German film (later a British movie musical starring Jessie Matthews), and made it gayer than a picnic basket. Julie's a down on her luck soprano who can't find a legitimate job in an illegitimate cafe where a nun trying to pass as a streetwalker isn't the proprietor's idea of increasing incoming cash. Along comes the old queen with a head cold (Robert Preston) who entices her into going along with his scheme, playing a man pretending to be a woman, and eventually becoming the toast of all of Paris.Along comes Chicago gangster James Garner and his dizzy moll Lesley Ann Warren who have different impressions of "Victor". At first, Warren is jealous of her hot lover's obvious desires for Victoria, but when Andrews removes what appears to be a wig and Warren realizes what's up, she's in bitchy hog heaven as Garner stews over his macho image being threatened by being attracted to being a man. Of course, Blake Edwards takes this one step forward, and with his adept use of farce, turns Garner over to his secret gay desires, while his own bodyguard Alex Karras faces his own desires thanks to the flamboyant "Toddy" (Preston). Warren, in the meantime, stews over her losing her macho boyfriend to a man, already having told Preston that "the right woman could reform you" with desire in her eyes. Even soap in her mouth can't shut this delightfully obnoxious dumbbell up and that sets her on the path to revenge.Yes, two TV Cinderella's get the chance to play off of each other; Andrews, who originated that part on TV, and Warren, who starred in the 1965 revised version, play romantic rivals here, and get in some good digs at each other. This is elegant fun, a gay romp that came out after the French gay classic "La Cage Aux Folles", and prepared the way for Jerry Herman's stage version of "La Cage". When Edwards, Andrews and songwriter Henry Mancini got together for the stage version of "Victor/Victoria", it appeared to be a pale imitation of the movie and both the stage and film versions of "La Cage" (which went onto have two successful Tony winning revivals), but the legend which is this movie has not faded. Mancini's score is bouncy and fun, sometimes poignant, delightfully trashy and ultimately triumphant as Toddy takes the spotlight for a hysterical finale.While Andrews, Warren and Preston all went onto Oscar nominations (all well deserved), it is Preston whom you will be focusing on every time he is on screen. He takes his gay caballero way past the image of Professor Harold Hill and adds subtlety that eliminates any potential for obnoxious camp. The gay chorus boys add a realism to the show business scene, just bitchy enough with each other to get some laughs and move on. The photography and editing are stunning, particularly in "Le Jazz Hot" where the image of Warren stewing over Andrews' magic all of a sudden turns back to be triumphant when she "discovers" the truth. The "cockroach" scene in the restaurant is also a classic, as is the look of the miserable waiter who ends up being a server in a key scene at the end after Victoria has become the big hit. To top it off, there's the gorgeous "Crazy World" which in the right frame of mind can bring on tears.

Favorite movie quote - "Remember you're a drag queen." Hey! Are you ready for a 1980's movie about a woman pretending to be a man pretending to be a woman?? Well, kiddies, here's Victor/Victoria for you in all of its gender-deception glory.Containing plenty of bitchy remarks, sarcastic banter, and some very choice moments of zany, slapstick comedy, Victor/Victoria is a sexual charade of sorts that, for the most part, held up fairly well considering its subject matter.Set in Gay Paree (Paris) in 1934, a couple of this film's absolute highlights were - (1) Watching Lesley Ann Warren chew up the scenery as the gold-digging, blond bimbo, Norma Cassady - and - (2) Julie Andrews, as the gay deceiver, Victoria Grant, really belting it out in the "Le Jazz Hot!" musical number.On the down side - This Comedy/Farce ran on for far too long at 2 hours and 13 minutes. And the unwelcome, cornball romance that got inserted into the story was basically all fizzle and no spark.

It's 1934 Paris. Carole "Toddy" Todd (Robert Preston) is a gay cabaret singer. Victoria Grant (Julie Andrews) is struggling to get a singing job and faints from starvation. Toddy is thrown out of his latest gig after starting a fight that trashes the club. Toddy comes up with an idea. Victoria pretends to be a man to get a job singing as a female impersonator with Toddy as her/his manager. Grant takes on the alter ego of gay Polish Count Victor Grazinski who was disowned by his family. Grant impresses leading agent Andre Cassell (John Rhys-Davies). King Marchand (James Garner) is the most successful nightclub owner in Chicago who finds Victor/Victoria irresistible. His girlfriend Norma Cassady (Lesley Ann Warren) is a real wildcat.There are some fine comedy being played. There are some hilarious gags in the restaurant early on. Robert Preston plays a homosexual like a real person. Julie Andrews is her charming self and she plays a man with equal charm. Blake Edwards does some of his best work. It takes on some gender bending sex slapstick farce with such a deft touch. It's never mean-spirited and has such joyous fun. The key role is James Garner. He has to be a manly man but also has a believable sensitive side. He is definitely the man for the job. And Robert Preston has a hilarious song and dance at the end. There are some great funny moments.

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