antiquesfairs
We added this movie to the VintageIreland Film Club for the week of Valentine's Day because it's a standout romantic comedy.Swooning maidens and swelling music are all very well, but this film has something more important to say about love, relationships and falling in love. Despite its wildly unrealistic dressing, the central idea that relationships have value even when they can no longer continue (for whatever reason), and that their worth is directly derived from how much the people in that relationship value and respect one another, is a great deal more romantic and sincere than many of cinema's classic romances.Wonderful performances from both Hepburn and Peck certainly don't hurt either!
Anssi Vartiainen
In this breakthrough performance Audrey Hepburn plays Princess Ann, who has embarked on a long European tour. But one night in Rome the royal expectations become too high and she sneaks out of her window to experience the nightlife. Outside she meets Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck), an American reporter who sees in her the interview of a lifetime.I know it's a clichéd thing to say, but they just don't make movies like this one anymore. Hepburn and Peck are fantastic in this movie. Call it old time charm or just sheer charisma, but they're a joy together and the whole day spent in Rome flies by on wings. Gregory Peck famously campaigned to give Hepburn an equal billing, which played at least a small part in getting her an Academy Award for this role. And I can see why. She is grace, naivety and poise incarnate in this film. What a fantastic character.And then there's the ending, the like of which you simply couldn't pull off in modern cinema. It's almost melancholic and sad, but also thoughtful and world-wise. It's not a happy perfect ending, but it's the perfect ending for this film.This is the best romantic comedy I've ever seen. Countless movies like it are made even today. Usual with pink posters and glittery titles, if you allow me to exaggerate a little bit. But this film stands above all of them by its sheer grace, style and thoughtfulness. Heavily recommended and a perfect date night movie for those couples that demand a bit more.
Byrdz
Basically, "Roman Holiday" is one of "those movies". You know the ones. You have seen the picture umpteen-million times and practically can say the dialogue along with the actors BUT it comes on the TV and even though you missed the first twenty minutes and it's on a channel with tons of commercials, you just MUST leave it on and see it again and after you do, you just feel good! Yeah, one of "those".It's a truly wonderful picture. Peck and Audrey and Eddie Albert and all of the supporting cast are terrific.This last viewing, I noticed the hair stylist more than I ever had before and found Ann's reaction to his admiration of her just so... sooo ... well, watch it and you'll see what I mean.All in all, it's deserving of its "classic status" and a "must see"...many times !
keithbrown-90195
Roman Holiday is, most of all, extremely charming. I figure it's basically the whole essence of why the world is still in love with Audrey Hepburn boiled down into one movie. It's light, beautiful, charming, and romantic. Gregory Peck is a great leading man opposite her, and the on-location Rome backdrop is truly extraordinary. The story is well-known, simply because it works so well and has been told so often. Two mismatched individuals from different worlds find each other by happenstance and slowly begin to fall in love. The reasons for this working so well come down to the leads and their natural presence in front of the camera. This was Hepburn's first leading role and she proves why she remains a beloved figure to this day.It's filled with many wonderful moments and vignettes, with Eddie Albert providing some excellent comedic support as a news photographer. The progression from one scene to the next feels like a natural day of two people getting to know one another. By the end, we know the outcome before it happens, but it doesn't make it any less bittersweet.
AD
