Sunday, May 20, 2012

Star! (1968)

Twentieth Century-Fox Film
Directed by Robert Wise
My rating: 2.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(DVD, Fox)

Julie Andrews plays a British actress who becomes consumed by her pursuit of fame. Her story is told in a long flashback, utilizing newsreels, some real and some fake, that place it in the broader context of British history in the early 20th century. The period detail is lovingly recreated and the production numbers often stunning in their lavishness. The problem here is a central character that comes across as cold, selfish and aloof. Her relationships fail, not for a lack of receiving love but for a lacking of giving it. She turns to alcohol or shopping for expensive jewelry to escape her woes, leading to financial ruin. In the end, it takes a man even colder than she is to find love, but by that time we really don't care.

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