Breakfast at Tiffany's is a touching romantic comedy which has stood the test of time very well and is now an icon due to Audrey Hepburn's beauty and mesmerising performance. Whilst the comedy has little edge and is fairly simple, it is the charm and innocence that induces laughter and the lack of political correctness is also refreshing in a time where political correctness has gone mad. The character of Mr Yunioshi is a prime example of politically incorrect humour that would probably get a film banned these days! The plot is very good as we follow a deeply narcissistic character with a very complicated background through her chaotic lifestyle which is being threatened by a serious relationship with Paul (pre A - Team George Peppard).
The acting is very good from the leads, although somewhat static compared to modern actors. Rather than static, subtle might be a more appropriate word (except for Mickey Rooney as Yunioshi) as the actors do provoke certain emotions from the audience. By any standard, Audrey Hepburn is a great actress and is someone you immediately want to fall in love with, in spite of the fact she plays such a peculiar character who is far from perfect. Every aspect of Holly Golightly is played to perfection by Hepburn as she shows a great range of emotions, each juxtaposed against one another. Despite her narcissism, she is very likable and when her usual apathy is challenged by her feelings for Paul, a great transformation is witnessed on screen. Audrey is quite simply perfect and with this film, her beauty will last forever. George Peppard gives a likable performance as the infuriated Paul. He garners a great deal of sympathy from the audience as we watch him bang his head against a wall for an hour and a half until his emotional speech at the films climax. Martin Balsam in a supporting role is also good and it is nice to see him in a more humorous role after watching him in 12 Angry Men and Psycho. His phone conversation with Paul is amusing and probably one of the 'non Audrey' highlights of the film.
Breakfast at Tiffany's won two Oscars for music and this is due to the touching score that compliments the action perfectly. Moon River is a very sad piece and this is very effective in highlighting Holly's sad past and how unhappy she actually is, despite her illusions that she is very happy. The direction is also very good as we are given a subtle film delivered at a surprisingly fast pace so it doesn't become boring for one second. As I said before, the plot is very good and the small twists, turns and sub plots do a great job at making you think. Truman Capote did a fantastic job at writing such an accomplished novel. His great story thoroughly deserved to be immortalised on the silver screen. The only question I have to ask is, how did such a screwed up guy write such a beautiful story?
Slated by some as a mere chic flick of the 60s, Breakfast at Tiffany's is much more than this as it is an emotive, thought provoking story played to perfection by the two leads and offers so much more than a couple of giggles. Never before has a cat appeared so poignant in a film (excluding of course Garfield) and it is small quirks like this that make the film so special. Audrey Hepburn made herself a legend in her role and deserved all the attention the world gave her.
The acting is very good from the leads, although somewhat static compared to modern actors. Rather than static, subtle might be a more appropriate word (except for Mickey Rooney as Yunioshi) as the actors do provoke certain emotions from the audience. By any standard, Audrey Hepburn is a great actress and is someone you immediately want to fall in love with, in spite of the fact she plays such a peculiar character who is far from perfect. Every aspect of Holly Golightly is played to perfection by Hepburn as she shows a great range of emotions, each juxtaposed against one another. Despite her narcissism, she is very likable and when her usual apathy is challenged by her feelings for Paul, a great transformation is witnessed on screen. Audrey is quite simply perfect and with this film, her beauty will last forever. George Peppard gives a likable performance as the infuriated Paul. He garners a great deal of sympathy from the audience as we watch him bang his head against a wall for an hour and a half until his emotional speech at the films climax. Martin Balsam in a supporting role is also good and it is nice to see him in a more humorous role after watching him in 12 Angry Men and Psycho. His phone conversation with Paul is amusing and probably one of the 'non Audrey' highlights of the film.
Breakfast at Tiffany's won two Oscars for music and this is due to the touching score that compliments the action perfectly. Moon River is a very sad piece and this is very effective in highlighting Holly's sad past and how unhappy she actually is, despite her illusions that she is very happy. The direction is also very good as we are given a subtle film delivered at a surprisingly fast pace so it doesn't become boring for one second. As I said before, the plot is very good and the small twists, turns and sub plots do a great job at making you think. Truman Capote did a fantastic job at writing such an accomplished novel. His great story thoroughly deserved to be immortalised on the silver screen. The only question I have to ask is, how did such a screwed up guy write such a beautiful story?
Slated by some as a mere chic flick of the 60s, Breakfast at Tiffany's is much more than this as it is an emotive, thought provoking story played to perfection by the two leads and offers so much more than a couple of giggles. Never before has a cat appeared so poignant in a film (excluding of course Garfield) and it is small quirks like this that make the film so special. Audrey Hepburn made herself a legend in her role and deserved all the attention the world gave her.