Roman Holiday

One of Hollywoods great romantic comedies- a confection that is utterly delightful. With Sabrina, part of Audrey's one-two punch when she arrived to take Hollywood by storm, fresh from her stage triumph in Gigi. She is paired here with Gregory Peck, in creating possibly the most beautiful couple in Hollywood history. Peck's restrained performance is a perfect foil for Audreys's exuberant one and we see her through his eyes. Her sublime innocence and sense of wonder, not to mention that smile, the sweetest smile that ever graced a movie screen, win him over and inspire him to be better than he would have been without her. She is truly the embodiment of beautiful on the inside as well as on the outside. With a wonderful supporting performance by Eddie Albert and those mouth-watering Roman locations, this film is a delirious respite from the every day cares of life.

I could just write my one line summary over and over again, but that would make for a rather dull comment, so I won't (stop cheering in the balcony!). In addition to the wonderful Ms. Hepburn, Gregory Peck does his typically superb job and Eddie Albert turns in a delightful (but no doubt painful, for him) performance in this incredibly charming jewel of a film. This film made me an incurable romantic for life! *sigh* I'd better quit before my apartment becomes a wind-tunnel! Joyously, happily recommended!

A plot as slender as Audrey Hepburn but oh what magic! If you've never seen this jewel, you're to have one of the best evenings of your week, your month. Perhaps the key to this movie's success is restraint - in the dialogue, in the music, in the cynicism of Peck and cronies at the movie's beginning. No one gushes - all is understated - but how one feels its power. I hope everyone has experienced a day such as they - with someone they come to care for - as much as they. It's my wish for the world.

A 1950s fairy tale set in Rome, indeed it could quite easily be created or recreated through animation such is its essence. Performed by two of the brightest stars ever to grace the silver screen with two of their best performances, it's difficult to criticise if your heart's in the right place and you know how to use it. In more recent times, we continue to witness the abuse levelled at those in similar positions to the Principessa, occasionally we lose one as a result. They are, at the end of the day, only flesh and blood like the rest of us and, as we bear witness at the end of Ana's day, they make us feel grateful for not being cursed by birth into out dated and irrelevant ways, kept afloat in the name of tradition, but above all tourism.

Audrey Hepburn's first big film role cast her as a Princess of country unknown, making a state visit to Rome. Bored of the endless run of openings, dedications and so on, she decides to see something of the city, and runs into American newsman Gregory Peck. He recognises her as the missing Princess and plans to scoop a major interview for his syndicate, with the help of pal Eddie Albert and his hidden camera. Hepburn is an absolute joy, particularly when her hair is shorn down to the classic urchin cut and she takes a motorcycle ride. Peck, too, is served well by this kind of role, and the romance of the city of Rome helps their relationship to develop during their 24 hours of freedom. Roman Holiday is one of those rarities which are truly perfect and memorable, a real girly flick with beautiful photography and a sparkling script. Highly recommended, and especially so in the wonderful recent restoration.

Audrey Hepburn doesn't have a vulgar bone in her body: she breezes through this comedic romp with the spirit of a saint on holiday. When a princess escapes the castle while touring Italy, a down-on-his-luck American reporter chances to meet her and smells a good story. A joyful fairy tale, but with the heartbreak of reality at the finale, and what sweet sadness there is in those final shots! Hepburn won an Oscar for Best Actress, and deserved it. Gregory Peck is almost playful in his scenes with her, and Eddie Albert is a perfect buddy-match. Director William Wyler sets up the story very gingerly, but he cuts loose as well, and the whole picture plays like a delectable dessert. ***1/2 from ****