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In 1982, the year Dustin Hoffman captivated audiences by portraying a woman in the hit comedy "Tootsie," another acclaimed film explored similar themes of gender performance with a reverse twist. That film was "Victor/Victoria," starring Julie Andrews in the titular role. Andrews played Victoria Grant, a struggling opera singer in 1930s Paris who, unable to find work, takes on the persona of "Count Victor Grazinski," a male female impersonator, to achieve success in the city's nightclubs. This clever premise allowed Andrews to portray a woman pretending to be a man who, in turn, pretends to be a woman, creating a complex and engaging performance.
The musical comedy, directed by Andrews' husband Blake Edwards, was a remake of a 1933 German film and explored perceptions of gender and sexuality with a refreshing openness for its time. The film was notable for its positive portrayal of a gay character, Toddy, played by Robert Preston, who helps Victoria craft her new identity and becomes her manager and close friend. Preston's performance earned him an Academy Award nomination. "Victor/Victoria" garnered critical acclaim, with Julie Andrews winning a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for her multifaceted role. The film itself received seven Academy Award nominations, winning for Best Original Score.
Both "Victor/Victoria" and "Tootsie" were released in the same year, making 1982 a landmark for mainstream Hollywood films that playfully examined gender roles and identity through comedic cross-dressing. While "Tootsie" saw a man disguising himself as a woman, "Victor/Victoria" offered a compelling counterpoint by having a woman adopt a male persona to achieve her dreams. This parallel release provided audiences with a fascinating cinematic conversation about societal expectations, performance, and the fluidity of identity.
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