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| Victor/Victoria 1982 - UK / USA - 133 min. - Feature, Color Director -Blake Edwards |
| Genre/Type -Comedy, Musical, Farce, Musical Comedy, Sex Comedy, Comedy of Errors, Showbiz Comedy Flags -Questionable for Children, Adult Situations, Adult Language MPAA Rating -PG Keywords -nightclub, con/scam, gangster, homosexual, songwriter, theater, drag [cross-dressing], impersonation, role-switching, star Themes -Gender-Bending, Assumed Identities, Actor's Life Tones -Lavish, Witty, Racy, Warm, Affectionate, Urbane, Madcap Moods -Mood Enhancers Box office -$23.7 million From screenplay -Viktor Und Viktoria Set In -1930s, Great Depression Color type -Metrocolor Cinematic Process -Panavision Produced by -MGM / United Artists Cast Julie Andrews -- Victor/Victoria James Garner -- King Marchan Robert Preston -- Toddy Lesley Ann Warren -- Norma Alex Karras -- Squash John Rhys-Davies -- Cassell Graham Stark -- Waiter Peter Arne -- Labisse Sherloque Tanney -- Bovin Sam Williams -- Chorus Boy Vivienne Chandler -- Chambermaid Jay Benedict -- Guy Langois Elizabeth Vaughan -- Opera Singer Tim Stern -- Desk Clerk Third Rate Hotel Bill Monks -- LeClou |
| Plot Synopsis On the verge of starvation in 1930s Paris, erstwhile entertainer Victoria (Julie Andrews) is rescued by gay cabaret performer Toddy (Robert Preston). What she needs to succeed, opines Toddy, is a gimmick. What if she becomes a male impersonator? Better still: what if she becomes a male impersonator, pretending to be a female impersonator? As "Victor/Victoria," s/he becomes the toast of Paree, and an object of fascination for big-time Chicago gangster King Marchan (James Garner), who can't quite understand the teasing sensations he experiences whenever watching her in action-especially since he, like everyone else, assumes that she is a he. Enjoyable though the stars of Blake Edwards' comedy may be, the film is stolen by Lesley Ann Warren, who won an Oscar nomination as King's screechy-voiced moll, and Alex Karras as King's chief henchman, who, assuming that his boss is "that way," literally comes out of the closet. Victor/Victoria was a remake of the 1931 German film Viktor und Viktoria, which had previously be reworked in 1937 as the Jessie Mathews vehicle First a Girl. In 1996, Victor/Victoria was transformed into a Broadway musical, again directed by Edwards and starring Andrews. - Hal Erickson Reviews Donald Guarisco, AMG |
| This witty, energetic film is one of the best and most memorable efforts in the accomplished career of Blake Edwards. The story's fusion of screwball comedy and musical review is a potentially unwieldy combination, but Blake Edwards manages to make it work with a thoughtful script that weaves rich characterizations into a carefully-constructed but sprawling plot that gives them room to breathe. Victor/Victoria is lengthy but never feels overlong thanks to Edwards' stylish work behind the camera: he excels at crafting complex slapstick setpieces but shows equal skill with the film's many rousing musical numbers (the highlight is a stunning cabaret number called "Le Jazz Hot"). His work is ably supported by the film's handsome production values, which include a dazzling Henry Mancini score full of memorable cabaret tunes and excellent cinematography by Dick Bush that adds just the right veneer of Hollywood glamour. However, the true appeal of Victor/Victoria lies in the magnificent performances that add heart to its combination of style and wit. Julie Andrews finds the right combination of vulnerability and cynicism to make her demanding double role work, Robert Preston brings warmth and razor-sharp verbal wit in equal measure to his role as her protector, and James Garner is a subtle delight as the mobster who is forced to reevaluate his concept of masculinity. The film also features plenty of scene-stealing supporting performances, especially Lesley Ann Warren's turn as King's oversexed mistress and Alex Karras' deadpan work as King's surprisingly sensitive and perceptive bodyguard. All these elements jell together beautifully to create a film that manages to work as a valentine to the screwball comedy and musical genres while also adding thoroughly modern theme of social and sexual tolerance into the mix. As a result, Victor/Victoria manages to feel classic and progressive all at once and this duality makes it one of Blake Edward's finest cinematic achievements. - Awards Best Actress (nom) -Julie Andrews -1982 -Academy Best Adapted Screenplay (nom) -Blake Edwards -1982 -Academy Best Art Direction (nom) -Harry Cordwell -1982 -Academy Best Art Direction (nom) -Tim Hutchinson -1982 -Academy Best Art Direction (nom) -Rodger Maus -1982 -Academy Best Art Direction (nom) -William Craig Smith -1982 -Academy Best Costume Design (nom) -Pat Norris -1982 -Academy Best Original Song Score and Its Adaptation or Adaptation Score (win) -Leslie Bricusse -1982 -Academy Best Original Song Score and Its Adaptation or Adaptation Score (win) -Henry Mancini -1982 -Academy Best Supporting Actor (nom) -Robert Preston -1982 -Academy Best Supporting Actress (nom) -Lesley Ann Warren -1982 -Academy Best Foreign Film (win) -Blake Edwards -1982 -French Academy of Cinema Best Actor - Musical or Comedy (nom) -Robert Preston -1982 -Golden Globe Best Actress - Musical or Comedy (win) -Julie Andrews -1982 -Golden Globe Best Original Score (nom) -Henry Mancini -1982 -Golden Globe Best Picture - Musical or Comedy (nom) - -1982 -Golden Globe Best Supporting Actress (nom) -Lesley Ann Warren -1982 -Golden Globe Best Supporting Actor (win) -Robert Preston -1982 -National Board of Review Best Film (nom) -Blake Edwards -1982 -New York Film Critics Circle Best Supporting Actor (nom) -Robert Preston -1982 -New York Film Critics Circle |
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