Review of Two for the Road (1967) by Timothy S — 22 Apr 2016

Interesting character drama about Audrey Hepburn and Albert Finney's 12-year relationship beginning to deteriorate as the two recollect their relationship from when they first met. Director Stanley Donen starts the film with two two acting rather distant in a French airpot and from there flashes backward and forward recounting the past and present of their relationship ups and downs.

Picturesquely filmed in France, the film in many ways reminded me of Jacques Demy's "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg" in that the film's opening first love romantic moments are so wonderful that you just don't want them to end and for that to be the entire film, but it's the tragic and realistic relationships moments that follow which make this film so memorable and special.

It's the same case here with Donen's tragic and romantic tale, though told here through sincere performances rather than through song. And speaking of music and song, this film features a wonderful score by Henry Mancini, which he's stated is one of his personal favorites.

Overall, this is a gorgeous film, with beautiful locations, terrific leads, a terrific score, a smart script. I think my only complaint is that at the films heart it's a sappy melodrama, but it's a pretty darn good one.