Victor/Victoria Film Review

Julie Andrews plays the part of Victoria Grant, a struggling female soprano in 1934 Paris. Her landlord is about to throw her out when, beyond hungry, Victoria makes a play for him, offering up her body. The scene that ensues is both tragic and hilariously ridiculous as the landlord continually trips over himself to get at her. Unfortunately for Victoria, a cockroach sets her into hysterics, and it doesn't work out. The landlord takes her suitcases as collateral.

Desperately hungry, Victoria goes to a nice restaurant with seemingly no plan. The waiters are appalled but have nothing to say against the woman as she digs in with unladylike manners. Coincidentally, gay cabaret singer Carole Todd (Robert Preston), or Toddy, has just been fired from his singing job at Chez Lui. He sees Victoria pigging out through the window and comes in to join her. They both admit to having no money, but Victoria shares her plan of throwing the cockroach onto her plate once she's had her share to eat. Tickled, Toddy comes up with a plan to get both of them working again.

With Toddy as Victoria's manager, Victoria dresses up as a man pretending to be a woman so that she can get a job. Her alter ego's name? Polish Count Victor Grazinski, who was disowned by his family when they found out he was gay. Victor and Toddy play lovers as the rest of the city falls in love with Victor/Victoria and her performances, including one Andre Cassell. Cassell (played by John Rhys-Davies), is the city's leading agent. He is so impressed that he also helps to find Victoria a job.

King Marchand (played by James Garner), is a "businessman" and club owner from Chicago. He sees Victor/Victoria onstage at her latest gig in the finest club in Paris and immediately wants to know more. Macho to a T, Marchand does not take Victor being a man as well as his current girlfriend, Norma Cassady.

As Marchand tries to come to terms with his macho self falling in love with a man, and as Victoria comes to fall in love with the freedom being a man has to offer, the two must first come to terms that they may lose their jobs and even identities--or give them up willingly--to be with the other.

Even though I find Julie Andrews too much of a dainty female to pull of being even a feminine man, I found the movie quite hilarious and heartfelt. Toddy and Victoria's friendship is absolutely one of trust and everlasting proportions. Victoria's and Marchand's feelings for one another are apparent and humorously confusing to the both of them. Watch this movie if you haven't already!

consider buying it and adding it to your home collection! I have provided a link to Amazon below. If you don't want just the movie, there is also the option of the 1995 Broadway Production.