Review of Roman Holiday (1953) by Sylvester E — 17 Sep 2010

Gregory Peck joked that anytime he got a comedy script, he was sure that Cary Grant turned it down first. Which is true for "Roman Holiday". But did Grant turn it down because it was a bad script or because he'd already made this movie before. It's an old plot. A reporter has a chance to pry into the personal life of a socialite without her knowing he's a reporter.

He's ambitious and wants the story, but soon becomes sympathetic to whatever plight makes her a social pages story, and then he ultimately falls in love with her. See "The Awful Truth" or even "The Philadelphia Story". One of those reasons those movies are better is not just the script, but that Cary Grant is funny. No offense. I LOVE Gregory Peck in his strong dramatic roles- but he's not funny and he only kinda works here during romantic scenes with Hepburn.

So- Audrey Hepburn. Her big breakout role and the first that I've ever seen her in. And I'll give you this. She is exquisite. From a beauty and poise perspective, she makes Katherine Hepburn look like a lot lizard in Little Rock. But she can't carry this stupid movie.

This is also supposed to be notable because it was shot on location in Rome. Maybe it was the choice to film in black and white, but no- Wyler just didn't capture anything that made the scenes interesting from a cinematic level. Or anything that made Rome another "character" as they like to say. Elvis movies shot scenery better.

Like Jennifer Jones, I can't imagine being too disappointed in anything Audrey Hepburn is in, but I won't be recommending this as a first choice.