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Breakfast
at Tiffany's
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Release
Date: 16th February 2001
Distributor: British Film Institute
Certificate: PG
Starring: Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard,
Patricia Neal, Buddy Ebsen
Director: Blake
Edwards
Running Time:
115
mins
|
There
can't be many people who think of Tiffany's on Fifth Avenue , New York,
and do not think of Holly Golightly…
'Breakfast At Tiffany's' has been re-released to celebrate its 40th anniversary.
It's an old-fashioned, romantic comedy, deft, elegant, and perhaps one of
Audrey Hepburns best remembered films (alongside 'My Fair Lady' and 'Roman
Holiday'). Based on a novella by Truman Capote, 'Breakfast At Tiffany's'
recounts the tale of Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn) a seemingly airhead
socialite who lives in New York and makes a dubious living as, what can
only be described as, an escort. |
| This
is a tale of female and male prostitution, drug smuggling, child marriage
and drug trafficing. Yet it deals with it in such a way that makes it suitable
for the entire family. Holly lives in an apartment block, where she meets
Paul Varjak (George Peppard): a struggling writer who relies on his older,
married lover (Patricia Neal) for handouts. Holly herself admits accepting
$50 for the powder room from her male walkers. And regularly visits an ex-mob
boss in Sing Sing Prison for a weekly payment of $100, where she passes
verbal messages from convict to lawyer, regarding drugs. Neither Holly nor
Paul are model citizens, yet their vulnerability and "phoniness"
makes us empathise with them. We end up caring for them and wanting them
to make it. Even if Holly has her heart set on another unsuitable marriage,
to a wealthy South American, so she can provide for herself and her brother. |
| If there
is a fault with 'Breakfast At Tiffany's', it can only be in the form of
Mickey Rooney as Mr Yunioshi - a Caucasian actor in heavy make-up does not
a convincing Asian character make. What may have been funny in 1961 is now
embarrassing. Fortunately Mr Yunioshi is a background character who takes
nothing away from Hepburns enigmatic Golightly. She has a sordid and unhappy
past; but we understand her pain and follow with fascination as her relationship
with Paul flourishes. |
Truman
Capote originally wanted his friend, Marilyn Monroe, to play the lead. It
is now impossible to imagine anyone but the charismatic Hepburn bringing
the "chin-up" and cool Holly to life, for which she received an
Oscar nomination.
Oh and there is one other thing that 'Breakfast At Tiffany's' is famous
for, its fantastic musical score. Henry Mancini won two Oscars for the film,
one for the song "Moon River" and a second for the jazz score.
This is a classic film - go see it
Jo Shilton |
