To me, this movie is perfection.

Perfect cast and a good story

Excellent but underrated film

Unshakable, witty and deeply felt, the film will be paying emotional dividends for a long, long time.

The curtain opens and an orchestra plays "Star!" music. Behind the curtain is a collage of stage plays, which we see in different colored tints. Next, an old-fashioned newsreel introduces the setting as London in the early 1900s. The legendary Gertrude Lawrence is born to a theatrical family. She meets young Noel Coward. We flash-forward to 1940 and meet diva-like Julie Andrews (as Gertrude "Gertie" Lawrence), as directed by Robert Wise. This is their story. There are many well-staged musical numbers, but sketchy ebb and flow to Ms. Lawrence's career; it looks like most plays were lavishly-produced hits. A variety of men appear, with producer Richard Crenna most notable. We assume, from the introduction, Daniel Massey's "Noel Coward" will be the main romantic interest; later, we realize he's not...The original, long version of "Star!" was tucked away for many years, after it was a notorious flop and re-released in heavily edited form. Absence makes the heart grow fonder and people have warmed up to the old stager. In almost every case, overly long bad movies benefit from a period of time when they are considered "lost" classics..."Star!" is still the same movie, with the same problems. The structure of the film (flashbacks, newsreels and costume changes) isn't bad, but the newsreels become tiresome clutter, after the first few. The story has no heart or soul. Andrews' characterization is aloof and unrealized. Eventually, this becomes Julie Andrews in a series of well-produced skits. If we had more of an investment in the story or its increasingly unlikable lead character, we would more likely sit for three hours of songs and scenes from her life. They should have flash-backed from 1951, not 1940. Andrews collapsing after a tune from "The King and I" would have given audiences much more interest and investment in the character. Highlights include "Burlington Bertie", "Jenny" (both assisted by Michael Kidd) and the memorable title song.***** Star! (7/18/68) Robert Wise ~ Julie Andrews, Daniel Massey, Richard Crenna, Robert Reed

"Star!" was one of the most notorious financial bombs of the 1960s, the main reason probably being that when it was released the public was getting tired of musicals. Certainly, the movie itself has some faults that may not have attracted some audiences. The movie is both too long and not long enough, for one thing. It's kind of tough to sit through a movie that's almost three hours long. And curiously, despite this long running time, the portrait of Gertrude Lawrence seems unfinished. We don't really get to see what is driving this woman. And her personal life is only lightly looked at, such as the fact that while she had a daughter, this daughter character has hardly any time devoted to her.But the movie also has its share of strengths. The performances are very good, the strongest being that of (no surprise) Julie Andrews. She puts so much enthusiasm into her role that it does help make up for her somewhat shallowly written character. And the musical numbers sprinkled throughout are indeed excellent, with some great choreography mixed in as well. Fans of movie musicals will probably embrace this movie the best, but the movie does have some genuine appeal to other people as well, if they are patient enough to sit through almost 180 minutes of film that isn't perfect.

As a cohesive film, I would have rated this film a 4. As a showcase for the phenomenal Julie Andrews, then at the peak of her powers, I would give it a 10. As a compromise, I give it an 8. I can add little to the other discussions of this film and, all these years later, my little comment will do little to alter anyone's opinion of it. I do wish, however, that it would be released on Bluray, with the intermission music restored. The picture, when compared with the recent Bluray release of Hello, Dolly! is rather faded and washed out. Julie's terrific music numbers and the fantastic sets and costumes deserve first-class treatment.

Given that STAR! was cruelly dismissed by critics and public in 1968, I was surprised to find that despite its length, it does entertain with a fine performance by JULIE ANDREWS as the famous stage performer (who did occasional films) and by RICHARD CRENNA and DANIEL MASSEY in good supporting roles.Andrews makes the most of every musical number--and there are plenty of them--demonstrating her enormous talent along with a flair for a more sophisticated style of acting miles apart from her "Mary Poppins" or "Sound of Music" image. And the staging of these musical portions makes excellent use of the WideScreen photography, emphasizing the lavish budget expended on costumes and sets.The central reason for the film's lukewarm reception at the box office is surely the fact that no attempt is made to make Miss Lawrence a truly likable person. She is shown, flaws and all, throughout--quarreling with those around her as she puts herself, first and foremost, above all other considerations. It seems that only Richard Crenna (as the man she eventually marries) is able to stand up to her stubborn nature with a will of his own.Coming on the heels of Julie's outstanding success in previous musicals, it's easy to see why audiences found it difficult to accept her as Gertude Lawrence--when actually, she gives a very strong performance. The script has to share some of the blame. It's a lumbering thing as it attempts to frame the story with newsreel accounts of Lawrence's life before ending the tidbits of information by delving into the main structure of the story.For fans of Julie who enjoy hearing her belt out song after song in various stages of Miss Lawrence's career, the film does homage to Julie Andrews herself more than to the famous stage thespian.