The movie is a
fun time! I wasn’t expecting to like it as much as I did, but I was blown away
by Audrey Hepburn’s performance. At first, it feels like a typical romcom and
plays out that way too—you can pretty much guess where everything will end up.
But then it surprises you with an ending that’s refreshingly realistic, not the
usual Hollywood formula.
What you’d
expect from a romantic comedy between royalty and a commoner takes a turn and
ends in the most grounded, believable way possible.
If, like me,
you’re watching this movie for the first time, the present-day English
monarchy—with Prince Harry marrying Meghan Markle—might make you think everyone
has a chance to become a princess. But realistically, it’s more like one in a
million, if not a billion.
The movie begins
by introducing Princess Ann. We see how she’s bored of her royal life, so much
so that she suffers a nervous breakdown. After a doctor gives her a sedative,
she’s left to rest—but instead, she runs away. Unfortunately, the sedative
kicks in, and she ends up asleep on the street.
A journalist
named Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck) finds her and tries to help, but since she’s
barely coherent, he takes her to his place and leaves her there while he goes
to work the next morning. At work, he learns about the visiting princess in
Italy and, upon seeing her picture, realizes the woman in his apartment is none
other than Princess Ann. Sensing an opportunity, he promises his boss a scoop:
an exclusive interview with the princess. Joe then calls his photographer
friend Irving (Eddie Albert) to help.
Joe returns
home, helps Ann get dressed, and gives her some money so she can explore the
city. He and Irving secretly tag along, taking pictures of her adventures
without revealing they are journalists.
The movie was a
massive commercial success, and the studio even considered a sequel, though it
never materialized. Hepburn’s stunning performance earned her an Academy Award
for Best Actress, along with wins at the BAFTA and Golden Globe Awards. The
movie also won two additional Academy Awards, including one for Best Writing.
The joy this
movie brings has cemented its place in history. It ranked fourth on the
American Film Institute’s 100 Years...100 Passions list and also fourth in the
romantic comedy category of AFI’s 10 Top 10.
If you haven’t
seen this movie yet, you’re truly missing out!
0 comments:
Post a Comment