Review of Two for the Road (1967) by Michael C — 27 Jan 2011

This movie succeeded in making me a much bigger fan of Audrey Hepburn. While I've never disliked her, as she clearly was an immense talent, I was not as impressed by her as other actresses because she appeared to always play strictly loveable, likeable figures, and never really sunk her teeth in someone who wasn't someone you could admire.

Even when she played a gold-digging prostitute (Breakfast at Tiffanys) she came across as charming. In this film, detailing the rocky, spiraling relationship of two people (Hepburn and Albert Finney), Hepburn and her costar Finney are positively revolting in their behavior at times.

Their habit of referring to one another as "bitch" and "bastard" in several scenes is a far cry from the usual picture of elegance Hepburn exuded, and that is what makes me love her performance in this.

She is well outside of her comfort zone and taking a chance. Her chemistry with Finney, who is also very good in the film, is very good. And Stanley Donen's direction is a weird but competent blend; the cinematography harkens much of the traditional late 50's/early 60's pictures, but the tracking/quick cuts, and even a sped up scene for comic effect have more in common with the emerging French New Wave.

Sometimes the score seems to create a carefree tone to a crumbling marriage, and that doesn't seem to fit at times in the movie, but the sheer joy of seeing a film that is really swinging for the fences, especially for the times, is enough of a joy to carry the film even in its flawed moments.

Likely one of my favorite Hepburn performances.