VICTOR/VICTORIA (1982) **1/2 A British film in which an iconic Oklahoman comedic director casts his fabled British wife as a French woman impersonating a female impersonator in very "gay Paree." If you don't think it's a promising premise, there's probably no hope for you at all. Julie Andrews rules the musical numbers, although they are too many and not of a style to suit my taste, balanced only in her wholesomeness by elegant and morally astute and homosexual Robert Preston. NFL legend (and father of 6) Alex Karras is cast largely against type as an enormous gay football player and doesn't blow his lines-sadly they missed the opportunity to prance him around in a sailor suit, or bunny slippers or something... Julie, Preston, and Leslie Ann Warren (as a gangland slut singer) were all nominated for Oscars while James Garner, who presides over the best scene in a proletarian bar where machismo is measured in alcohol units, was ignored. Obviously the imbecilic electors couldn't help thinking of him as Rockford/Rockfish. It was challenging, if not revolutionary, material for the time and detractors were the sort who stifled criticism of an icon who still regularly appeared in their homes as Mary Poppins. Stylish and understated for a Blake Edwards film, and a casual political triumph in the subdued mode of Louis Armstrong.
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