“Roman Holiday” (1953), the original rom-dram and iconic Hollywood classic, stars a 23-year-old Audrey Hepburn as Princess Anja/Ann of some European country and Gregory Peck, as American journalist Joe Bradley.
💬[JOIN THE CHAT] today to discuss this film in the company of FANS! 💬 LINK
Some tidbits about the film:
The film was entirely shot in Rome, Italy and at Cinecittà studios as director, William Wyler, who also directed such Hollywood classics, as the original Wuthering Heights and Ben-Hur insisted that the film be shot on location and not some soundstage, making the bold trade-off to film in black and white vs color.
The film won a few Oscars - Notably, Audrey Hepburn, a relative newcomer and unknown at the time, took home “Best Actress” and the signature style of the film’s legendary costume designer, Edith Head, earned an Academy Award for Best Costume Design as well. Screenwriter Dalton Trumbo was blacklisted and unable to take credit for the screenplay at the time, but after his death, he got the recognition.
Gregory Peck insisted that Hepburn be given top billing for the film. He was also a replacement for Cary Grant, whose public reason for passing on the role was that he was too old to play Peck’s character but privately there was talk that the rationale was he’d be overshadowed by Hepburn. I’m glad it was Peck here. Hearing Grant’s forced mid-Atlantic accent would have been unnerving. Also, Peck and Hepburn have an ease and chemistry that is unmatched.
The 90s rom-dram film, Notting Hill, [review here] borrows much from this film, as does Emily In Paris of course and countless other films, but the ending is where the two films, almost half a century apart diverge greatly. And for that, I’m thinking Roman Holiday is the more honest of the two. That press conference scene was the most emotionally heart-wrenching beautiful denouement of any cinematic love story ever made.
Themes of deception and hidden identities are central to the film, as both Ann/Anja and Joe conceal aspects of themselves from each other. However, their core personalities remain intact beneath these facades. The film explores whether genuine love can blossom and thrive when built on a foundation of partial truths and omissions. Most Hollywood marriages do right? Ok, back to serious…
💬[JOIN THE CHAT] today to discuss this film in the company of FANS! 💬 LINK
We’ll be discussing specific scenes/moments in the film, the iconic costumes of Edith Head whose pocket skirts are all the rage, politics and key messages, and the skyrocketing of the teal Vespa into romantic film lore for the ages. Also, is this film truly a romance or more of a comedy? The comedic timing (sparring) and physicality of Eddie Albert (as Irv, the early Beatnik photographer), Hepburn and Peck makes me think it might be more rom-com than rom-dram. This was Hepburn's first major film role, and her comedic timing is spot on, not to mention her her portrayal of a princess completely believable. Thoughts?
I know! I was going to watch it for the first time this week but got involved with buying a new car, seeing an old friend, visiting another friend who just knee surgery, etc. Today is looking tight so I'm not sure I'll get to it before the day is up. If I do I'll definitely contribute to the discussion.
Some of the dialogue in this movie feels like it was written in our time. I really liked how genuine the friendship between Bradley (Peck's character) and his photographer seems. There's no real hierarchy between them, like actual friends.
Like Dan, I've never seen this movie, either. I watch very few black and white movies, but man, Gregory Peck sure was handsome!
I hate to say this but I haven't seen the movie!
What are you waiting for?
I know! I was going to watch it for the first time this week but got involved with buying a new car, seeing an old friend, visiting another friend who just knee surgery, etc. Today is looking tight so I'm not sure I'll get to it before the day is up. If I do I'll definitely contribute to the discussion.
No pressure! Life happens. This discussion will be open and ready for you whenever you’re ready. Happy to get into it. Have a few topics lined up.
Some of the dialogue in this movie feels like it was written in our time. I really liked how genuine the friendship between Bradley (Peck's character) and his photographer seems. There's no real hierarchy between them, like actual friends.