Review of Funny Face (1932) by Duran S — 24 Feb 2008

"Funny Face" gave me one. I suppose my expression at the end was some mix of happiness and ridicule. It's a feel-good movie, probably one of the last of its kind, but there is really only two reasons this movie was made. One: to pair Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire. Two: to paint pretty pictures.

Fred Astaire plays a fashion photographer who works for a fancy fashion magazine. The magazine company wants a model who portrays beauty and intelligence, and Astaire ends up discovering Audrey Hepburn's character, who runs a book store. She is definitely the intellectual type, and she only agrees to follow Astaire to Paris for modeling so she can meet her favorite philosopher. And, of course, she and Astaire end up falling in love. It's pretty straightforward if not a little cheesy and silly in places.

Like I said, the studio wanted Astaire and Hepburn together, so here they are. Astaire is incredible, as usual, at dancing and singing. Hepburn is a fair enough dancer and singer as well, but, really, we've seen better routines and heard better songs. The best song is the title tune, and the best dance number is Astaire's solo tap serenade below Hepburn's window. It is odd, however, that the dance is very Latin while the characters are enjoying Paris.

The greatest technical merit the movie gains is cinematography. Again, pretty pictures seem to be the most interesting subject of the movie, whether it be edgy, fashionable dresses or romantic Paris landmarks. Even the actors are models in their own right, often pausing during scenes as if the audience needs to take in the colors.

However, no matter what anybody says about this movie and no matter what it may lack, it is most certainly a classic that people will enjoy for a long time.