Medley of the Day: Audrey Hepburn edition

I rewatched Breakfast at Tiffany's for the first time this week since the epic weekend freshman year that I watched it 3 times. Just a reminder: that movie is crazy! Trying to reconciled Truman Capote's quirky characters with the prudish cinema of the early 60s is a bit humorous, although they still get some naughty stuff in. Anyway, I realized that Breakfast at Tiffany's is not my favorite Hepburn film. She's so much more than just a flighty scared girl with fabulous fashion sense.

Here's a medley of scenes from other great Hepburn films.

This is a scene from The Nun's Story (1959). The film centers around--surprisingly--the story of a nun. It's a straight forward film that never doubt's the nun's sincerity for the work. I appreciate that this is a film without a love story or without malice for religion. It's simply a respectful tale of a nun and how she deals with taking vows, keeping those vows, and following her passion for science without being prideful. Although not as exciting as The Sound of Music, it's still a nun finding her own way in life. The whole thing is on YouTube, but this section perfectly shows what a restrained performance Hepburn gives. You see her struggle with her desire to stay in the Congo and also her sweet relationship with the doctor she assists once she falls ill.



Confession: I don't like My Fair Lady. It so long and Rex Harrison grates on my nerves. And while Audrey Hepburn is fun and humorous, it just gets boring after a while. I guess I should give it another try, but I'm pretty sure Funny Face will always win out for me. It's fluff entertainment, but the combination of Kay Thompson, Fred Astaire, and Audrey Hepburn is just comfortable and charming. Here's Hepburn herself singing the Gershwin classic "How Long Has This Been Going On" in Funny Face:



I've talked about Two for the Road before, but I can't tell you how much I love this film and how much I wish more people would see it. In terms of Hepburn's acting (and Albert Finney), I'll quote myself:

The most impressive thing about the film is how well Hepburn and Finney create a different tone to each segment while maintaining solid chemistry. They have to play young lovers, excited newlyweds, and exhausted cynics. Hepburn shows the change in her character with heartbreaking commitment. Both the actress and the character are fully invested in the role and relationship. Hepburn never looked so natural and spunky; she shows a sincere girl next door quality that she never truly achieves in other films like My Fair Lady or Sabrina. Finney's character is charming throughout, grudgingly revealing sparks of pure emotion between the usual sarcasm and feigned seriousness. These two working together is magical. Few romances are lucky enough to have both leads be so charming and convincing, but Two for the Road has two very charismatic actors excellently playing their parts.

This is the concluding scene of the film. I don't think it really gives anything away, since the film kind of meanders to this point. In case you're confused, all the different cars and outfits connect to a certain road trip that was shown throughout the film. I submit that the conclusion of this film is a big rival for Casablanca as the best ending of a movie ever.