MovieChat Forums > Roman Holiday (1953) Discussion > Does anyone else think this movie is jus...

Does anyone else think this movie is just average?

posted 15 years ago by cil_b
58 replies | jump to latest

I'm quite interested to know if there are any of you who didn't think this movie was as spectacular as most of the people on this board believe. After watching this movie, i felt kind of empty. Not because of the ending... but because i didn't really buy their "chemistry" or "love" or whatever you call it. In the end, i didn't care for any of them... is this because i've watched too many movies with similar tones/plot? (I'm sorry this isn't a very good elaboration on my part). In any case, i really look forward to reading your views on why you didn't like this movie.

[–] marigoldnlakie 15 years ago

Well I love this movie. I agree, the the plot and story line in general are simple and have been used multiple times, but what makes this movie for me, is the chemistry and magic that happens between the two actors with Rome as the backdrop.

[–] ar87 15 years ago

The actors really made this film. And it's a classic for its simplicity. Of course today a movie like this seems way too simple for most people who are used to 2 1/2 hour special effects fests, but on the other hand, you don't see charming movies like this anymore. It has also inspired countless people to go to Italy and drive a Vespa. Personally I think it's the best romantic comedy of all time...and I hesitate to call it that because most romantic comedies are horrendous and nothing like this movie.

[–] daynlarz 15 years ago

Anyone who thinks this film is average is average! Great Scott!

[–] turtletommy 15 years ago

LOL!

[–] thomasdosborneii 12 years ago

ar87--I watched the DVD last night because I am going to Rome this summer and ABSOLUTELY, I am now so inspired to "go to Italy and drive a Vespa"! You said it exactly right and I love you for it.

Also, that simplicity is so perfect. Here I am in the middle of a the three-day weekend and was kind of sad because I didn't think I could afford to go away for it, so am staying home, thinking I am kind of just wasting the weekend. But this movie inspired me with that idea of being able to do anything I want, simple things that I normally don't do, just walk down some city streets and look into shop windows, or whatever. I think there are still some free concerts out on a lawn somewhere. Oh, I know, I can go down to the port to see if there are any cruise ships docked there. Fun can be had without having to spend any more than about a thousand lira ("worth only about a dollar forty-five").

Now, if only I could just run into somebody like Audrey Hepburn to do it all with!

By the way, this reminded me of her in "Breakfast at Tiffany's", Holly Golightly's idea of spending an afternoon doing things with Paul that they had never done, which led to one of the most charming and romantic scenes in that movie.

[–] giaou13 15 years ago

I agree with you.I had the feeling I'd watched this and that before.Audrey is the only reason to see this movie.She was astonishing...

THE WORLD IS YOURS

[–] chris-3278 15 years ago

This film made me realise that Audrey Hepburn was the most beautiful actress ever. Also this film is one of the most romantic and most beautiful looking films of all time imo. it is way better then some recent romantic films.

[–] nm4490 15 years ago

I can see why you would say that. I was actually surprised by the movie not being as spectacular as everyone says it is. AFI did a list of the top 100 love stories of all time, and put this film at number 4 and Casablanca at number 1. But, I don't think they're even in the same ballpark. Casablanca wipes the floor with Roman Holiday.

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] startrekfan-4 15 years ago

Love the tag line you use!! From my all time favorite drama/mystery/comedy/romance movie of all time, "Charade"!!! Hepburn and Grant, one of the best pairing of two actors ever in a film!

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] stompcats 8 years ago

You can't, er, shouldn't judge movies against each other, thats just silly. they don't and cannot compete for merit? understand that each of these movies is a masterpiece in itself for what it is, what it means to people, what became of the movie stars, the direction, how it lasts and lasts and creates controversy by itself......, three fantastic acting roles by fantastic human beings having the time of their life, Audrey was a pink rose, perfect casting for the perfect role.....the rest of them just had to have fun with it, and you can tell, they most certainly did.....i just watched it for the first time, and am enchanted by it.......black & white is magnificent, and does not take anything away......if it were in color......you might miss the expressions on their faces or a small nuance that is unspoken......though i too, can only imagine the palace in color, the back drops, rome, her eyes, her cheeks, those lips.......(Casablanca was fantastic in its own right, i love it as well....but it is an action war time drama/love story. How can you compare a completely unrelated movie at all? All we have to do is watch them, luckily, sit back and dream the fantasy these movies and stars create for us in our own minds, they are fantastic and i thank god for old classic movies, they never bore me, ever.....we just enjoy them as they are in their own rights.) Thanks for reading....i just had to say something. Peace.....

[–] ElMaruecan82 15 years ago

Maybe, what makes people love the movie -more than the romance itself- is that it beautifully captures the innocence of an era forever lost, it's just simple and innocent, but it works, not everything needs to be cynical, and i think a good cinephile might enjoy a movie like Roman Holiday as well as Taxi Driver ...

... and Audrey Hepburn is so sublime !

"All sugg and no pick makes bump a dull boy"

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] conedust 15 years ago

Nah. I watched it for the first time last night, and thought it was just great. Excellent screen chemistry from the leads, impeccable comic timing, sharp dialogue and a splendid (if naive) "picture postcard" tour of Rome. One of the better romantic comedies I've seen -- not quite Philadelphia Story, but not terribly far from that either. My only real complaint is that it did drag a little bit in the final act. But only a little bit.

That said, I grant that the romance wasn't terribly deep. Maybe that's the absence you're feeling? When I spoke of Hepburn and Peck's "chemistry", I was talking about how well they work together onscreen, and not how deeply they seem to be in love. Cuz they don't. While charming, their relationship is rather trivial: friendly, funny and chastely romantic (i.e., only mildly erotic). But that seems appropriate, given that they know each other but briefly and both fully understand what's possible. And what isn't.

Their romantic desperation derives more from the insurmountable fact of that barrier than from the intensity of their passion. But that's okay. Given the context, I found the scene in which she fantasizes about a domestic life and he promises himself to the fantasy quite moving -- moreso than their parting kiss, which doesn't quite pack the punch it could.

Still, no complaints. 9/10

You must have been so afraid, Cassie... Then you saw a cop.

[–] fortunate1 15 years ago

cil b,
Are you as much of a wet rag in real life as you have been here?

[–] emc7711 15 years ago

Great response fortunate1! This is one of my favorite movies. It's another Wyler gem. I never fail to be moved at the last scene when they look at each other...emoting without saying a word...and then walking away...never to see her again...I cry every time!

[–] fortunate1 15 years ago

Thanks for your words, emc.
I've just now finished watching the film again, and can't comprehend the psyche compelling the original poster's dart. Hence my retort; hence my gratitude.

[–] cil_b 15 years ago

Fortunate1 -
I'm sorry i come across that way to you. The only reason i started this post was because i wanted to find people who feel this way and read their opinions so that i can get an insight to how they feel. Because most people on this board have only good things to say about this movie. Therefore i thought it would be interesting to read the opinions of people who find that this movie is not perfect. As they can perhaps analyse the movie more objectively than people who find that this movie is perfect as it is.

With such a title, it's reasonable that some fans of this movie(like yourself) will be offended thinking that my aim is to bash this movie without any reason. However, this is not the case as i understand that i'm in no way qualified to completely discredit the movie, but i have the right to voice why i didn't like it and so do others. That's the whole point of the post.

Conedust-
Wow. Thank you SO MUCH for your reply, it's exactly the kind of reply i was looking for! Coherent, civilised, and insightful. In fact, after reading your reply, i appreciate the movie a little more than i did before.

kristeej39 -
Well you're right, subtle actions are definitely sufficient to show chemistry or love. For example, emc7711 mentioned the parting scene at the end. I am moved by the idea of it, but when i watched it, i wasn't as moved as i thought i should be. After reading conedust's reply, i realised that the problem lies in me finding the romance between the two not deep enough, be it the actor's problems or the story's. Regarding your movie recommendation, Twilight- Thanks but no thanks.

[–] kristeej39 15 years ago

wow, i don't see how you can Not love this movie! The cinematography is breath taking, Audrey Hepburn plays her innocence so well, and they fall in love in the end.
There are so many ways to show chemistry or love, not just gushing about it, or going through all the cliches, but with just glances and smiles, or in the end when their eyes connect, you just know.
I guess you prolly like Twilight though . . .

[–] MitchConnor24 15 years ago

I don't care so much for Breakfast At Tiffany's, which seems to be the more revered. But Roman Holiday is wonderful, I don't even like Gregory Peck much but he's wonderful in this. Every element of this film is charming.

[–] turtletommy 15 years ago

Breakfast at Tiffany's couldn't hold a candle to this in any way, shape or form. A real dud of a movie and story IMO.

[–] LittleSilverBoxes 15 years ago

I thought Roman Holiday was absolutely lovely. I only really watched it because it happened to be on t.v and I was going on holiday to Rome the following week. I just fell in love with it and instantly went out to buy it on DVD the very next day!

[–] alanpartridge123 14 years ago

Breakfast at Tiffany's is far better imo