Review of Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961) by Madison K — 27 Dec 2011

Watching this was just a slow let-down regarding what women's roles used to be like. I found myself loving it only as a product of its time and nothing more. But deeply, truly, and intellectually I was constantly disappointed by the main character's behavior. Holly went through man after man in search of some life plan or answer to her money problems and vices. She presents a horrible role model to women of that time, and to women currently. I appreciated her care-free spirit, and the frank honesty she used to describe her motives, but more strongly I found myself disgusted at her, disgusted at women of that time, and dissatisfied and unconvinced with the end. Even though she accepted Paul's love, she will more realistically change her mind yet again. She clearly needs a long period of pure Holly-time to work out her psychological issues. I found her disturbingly damaged and annoyed that the movie didn't seriously address that. It annoyed me that she called herself a "wild thing" when she was really just trying to survive. She wasn't wild, she was a low-class girl trying to get by with the least work possible. She was lazy, undisciplined, psychologically fragile, and escapist and the movie never tried to address how she would fix herself. As far as I'm concerned she's a train wreck, writer-man "Fred-Baby" saved the day, they can go home and screw legitimately and The End.

I think what angers me more, is that there is an element of Holly in all women of her time, and even women now. I have seen this behavior over and over again, and since this movie was produced in 1961 it makes total sense. Being the age that I am, I was raised by a woman who had to marry to survive. Holly and that woman are one in the same, minus the overt prostitution that Holly seemed to display. I don't think all women know it, but to an extent, we do seek those who can support us, whether it is a joint or solo venture.