Thursday, April 2, 2009

Movie Review: Roman Holiday


She is a princess, he is a journalist. She is bored of her puppet-like life, he has an interview with her. She runs away and is "rescued" by him. Together they explore the streets of Rome where the princess "lives" her life!

The tag line reads, "Audrey Hepburn at her Oscar-winning best in an immortal comedy-romance!"
How true is that tag line for this wonderful, light hearted, romantic, comedy! There is just 1 reason to watch this movie and it is Audrey Hepburn! Period!

The way she has expressed the emotions thru her face and her body language just has to be seen to be believed! The quiver of lips... the eyes that speak volumes without the tongue uttering a single word....

The graceful princess romping on the streets of Rome, protected and yet uninhibited, naive, carefree and happy! [Can you tell that I am completely smitten?! :-))]

Her acting in the movie can be a guide book for any woman in need of a lesson for exhibiting class! Absolutely mesmerising stuff!






Gregory Peck plays the Journo and Eddie Albert, the much needed, yet elegant, side kick in any romantic comedy! (he was literally kicked a few times in the movie by Gregory.) His role showcases that side kicks do not have to demean themselves on screen for the sake of comedy! Something that film makers of today can learn from this classy movie.
Released in 1953 - but still completely fresh and with a lot of repeat value - the movie bagged 3 Oscars and was nominated for 7 more! Needless to say, Hepburn got the "Best Actress in a Leading Role" for her superb portrayal of Princess Ann - a well deserved win indeed!

The chemistry between the lead pair is very natural. Gregory plays the quintessential gentleman - macho, understanding and protective, but with a vested interest. For the better part of the movie, Princess Audrey is a bubbly girl, who wants to break away from the monotonous routine and have some fun, while retaining her class! Their wonderfully restrained acting is what leaves you guessing and thinking "what happens next" even though this movie is no mystery! (The movie has been directed by Williams Wyler.)

A definite collector's item for any self-respecting movie aficionado!!!!! The fact that its in black and white only enhances the charm of this Roman Holiday!

23 comments:

Ava said...

I think in those days, studio heads really looked for women who had looks, talent, grace, everything, which is why heroines of that period are personification of class, and men yearn for them forever.

Such movies should be collected by all.

eye-in-sty-in said...

Right said Fred! Class always scores high in my list :-)

Perhaps a reason why fewer movies were made, but they were all a tasty dish and not like fast food (junk) {sorry, am hungry right now :P}

Bhargavi said...

aww.. such a sweet movie.. one of my favs ..audrey hepburn somehow reminds me of a very cute vibrant pixie ...my fav however is ingrid bergmen..ever since i saw casablanca ..

Smita said...

Ah! Totally my kind of movie. Will keep an eye for this excellentally reviewed movie.

Shayari said...

Awww..now now this is definitely worth a dekko.Reminded me of Guide & Notting Hill..

No second thought the lady is truly gorgeous!Good review Einstein!

Bouncing-Bubble said...

yeah the girl looks stunning! no wonder ur smitten :)

Valerine said...

Well i can relate to Audrey in dis movie coz m lyk dat in real life ;)

Vee said...

I love this movie. I have the DVD too. I will be back to read.

eye-in-sty-in said...

Hi B,

I have not watched Casablanca... so cannot compare the two - its Audrey Hepburn for me... atleast for now ... lol

Hi Smita,
In all good faith, I dont have any hopes of u watching a movie... lol

Hi Shayari,
Those may be modern day Inspirees of this movie, but nothing beats the original! Watch it and share ur take on it...

Hi R,
Its not just the looks... shes a classy woman! Smitten indeed :-)

Hi Valerine,
Ur funny!

Hi Vee,
I knew you wd on both counts, bro!

Yword said...

hey
she wasmyfavourite after watching this filmand then the onewhere she plays eliza dolittle? for some reason cant remember the name now though i remember the film vividly. shd get this and watch it again.

eye-in-sty-in said...

Hi M,

Good to see u here... This is my 1st Audrey Hepburn movie... and I loved it. If u watch it again, will u write ur review on it?

Serendipity said...

I OWN THIS DVD I OWN THIS DVD!!
YAY!! :)

i loveee it!!! I even have Casablanca! we have so many things in common!!! lol
I collect DVD'S! :)

Serendipity said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Vee said...

A gem of a movie. The first movie I ever saw of Audrey's was 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' and fell in love with her. Dug almost all her movies and became fan of Peck in the process...

They make lovely couple.. Other movies which stand out from that era would be of Clift, Brando, Newman, Elizabet Taylor, Cary Grant. They had some charisma.

couchpapaya said...

oooh i love this movie, never get tired of it and can watch every single time it reruns. ur right, must get the dvd for myself, cant believe what i have been doing without it for so long!! thx for the reminder :D are u on an audrey jag? watched my fair lady/sabrina yet?

eye-in-sty-in said...

Hi B,
For owning the DVD, you are officially a movie aficianodo in my books! I must watch Casablanca now... I love collecting DVDs too...

Hi Vee,
Yes, actors of the yester years had major charisma - something that only a few actors in today's age can manage. Perhaps its the huge number of movies being churned out these days thats killing the quality of acting. I nearlier days, movies were made with passion and at leisure! Thats how you get perfection!

Hi CP,
You still dont have the DVD yet? i'm surprised... Hope you'll remedy the situation soon. I'm almost afraid to watch another hepburn movie lest it ruin the spell she has me under! You know, I might go with high expectations and what if I dont like her in the movie? The good thing is that "My Fair Lady" is a famous movie as is "Casablanca" and "Breakfast at Tiffany's". So chances are high that I should like these movies and also her acting in them....! I'll do it someday.

Serendipity said...

NO. THER CANT BE 2 BEES. SPECIALLY SINCE I GOT ALL EXCITED IN THE OTHER COMMENT ABOUT ME BEING 'B'.
:(

eye-in-sty-in said...

Hi Serene,... You are B (thats the 1st letter of ur name, right?). The others in the comment have been addressed with a different saluation...

couchpapaya said...

i never got into casablanca, maybe coz my expectations were too high. i think i need to watch it again, same with tiffany's .... anyways, hepburn isnt in casablanca. but sabrina has both bogey and hepburn, it's a fun movie too!! if u want a hindi movie frame of reference it's yeh dillagi with saif ali khan singing that ole ole song lol

eye-in-sty-in said...

Thats where i was going with my expectation theory! When you watch the best work, everything else is just that .... everything else!

Sabrina sounds like fun, but did you have to put Saif's ridiculous song in my head! GEE, THANKS! .. lol

couchpapaya said...

*evil laughter*

Serendipity said...

The first letter of my name is not 'B'! im wondering why u think so? :D

I like being called B nevertheless. :D

eye-in-sty-in said...

Hi Serene,
I thought so because I got your id confused with someone elses. But if you wanna be called B, B it is for you. :-)
[But I stil wanna know whats ur name?]