MovieChat Forums > Roman Holiday (1953) Discussion > Good movie, but a little insubstantial

Good movie, but a little insubstantial

posted 8 years ago by PrimeMinisterX (8708)
8 replies | jump to latest

Just watched this one last night for the first time.

While I did enjoy it and thought it was a fun little romp through Hollywood's Golden Age, I also felt like there's not actually a lot going on when you really stop and look at the sequence of events. An hour into the film this is essentially the plot summary thus far: She has escaped the palace, slept a whole bunch, and gotten a haircut. And he has made some phone calls and met with his boss. That's literally it, after an hour.

Also, the whole "I just escaped my chains and now all I want to do is sleep" bit strained credulity. That fell pretty flat for me.

But I don't mean to sound negative. It's well-acted, there's lots of great locations and cinematography, Audrey is adorable at all hair-lengths, and there are some good comedic moments.

I'm going to give this one a 7/10. It's an enjoyable film. But unlike greater classics like Citizen Kane, Casablanca, Gilda or It's a Wonderful Life, all of which I intend to buy on Blu-Ray eventually, I'm not sure I feel like I need to own this one.

[–] chrichrichri (184) 7 years ago

"I just escaped my chains and now all I want to do is sleep" ... she was stoned

But I agree - the movie could have been much more funny - especially from the moment she wakes up in his apartment.

[–] ElizabethJoestar (946) 3 years ago

I don't agree that the movie is insubstantial. I think Ann's character arc is very strong: after tasting freedom, she better appreciates her duties as a royal (and by extension, as an adult-- she very much comes of age and Hepburn sells this transformation well, down to changing the modulation of her voice at the end). There's a bittersweetness that belies the comedy and romance that I've come to appreciate with each rewatch.

But to each his own, of course!

[–] rudeboymurray (3270) 3 years ago

It's a very enjoyable film, if a little overlong, but I personally didn't think Peck and Hepburn had the chemistry that was required to really make it soar. Peck was a good but rather stolid actor, and never really had a light touch. I know I'm in a minority - pretty much everybody I know adores this movie.

[–] ElizabethJoestar (946) 3 years ago

It's weird, because I think they had good chemistry. I do think someone like William Holden would have been more ideal given the cynical nature of the role (and I do agree that Peck tended to be better off in heavier fare), but overall, I have never had a problem with the casting.

No problem being in a minority though-- we all have our opinions. (People often get shocked when they learn I don't care for Two for the Road, a movie often touted as Hepburn's best.)

[–] rudeboymurray (3270) 3 years ago

I would have loved seeing Holden in the role - but it IS an iconic movie, and Peck is part of the fabric so I wouldn't go back and change that. I need to see it again, if only because it's one of my father's favourite films.

Two for the Road grew on me enormously the second time I saw it. At first I did find it, while pleasant, rather messy, with so many of the 'hip' sixties tropes of editing, split screen etc - but when I returned to it I found it enchanting, and Hepburn and Finney - on paper a far from obvious couple - at their best. Hopefully a return visit to Roman Holiday will elevate it to the same level for me, one day..

You are absolutely correct, everybody has their own opinion! :)

[–] ElizabethJoestar (946) 3 years ago

With Two for the Road, I love the style and the 60s-ness-- and I appreciate what it's trying to do regarding its depiction of marriage and love. I just really hated the Finney character lol. I found it interesting enough to watch twice and I'm sure I'll try it again in a few years because there is enough that is genuinely interesting and enjoyable... but man, I wanted Joanna to just push Mark off a cliff!

You may or may not appreciate Roman Holiday on a rewatch. I did find I liked the movie more on later viewings. I also became more of a fan of William Wyler over time though, so that may be a big reason why.

[–] Rolltide (964) 3 years ago

Agree, William Holden would have been perfect.

[–] BillySlater (4241) 3 years ago

I agree.