what i watched last week

Breakfast at Tiffany’s (Blake Edwards, 1961). Iconic for more than one reason. Audrey Hepburn’s Holly Golightly is one of her most famous roles, while Mickey Rooney’s Mr. Yunioshi is a classic example of “yellow face” stereotyping. I can’t say I’m a big fan of Hepburn. I have nothing against her, never find her insufferable, but I’ve never really “gotten” her. The long party sequence is the best thing about the movie, with Blake Edwards showing his talent for unexpected laughs, and it is interesting to see how Hollywood dealt with prostitution (male and female) and homosexuality at the end of the Code Era. (The prostitution is suggested, but pretty clearly, while the homosexuality is hard to find.) Ultimately, Breakfast at Tiffany’s is a slight offering, one that fans of Audrey Hepburn will love, and a fun movie until the romance turns serious. #465 on the They Shoot Pictures, Don’t They list of the top 1000 films of all time. 7/10.

Comments

[Phil]

Saw an interview with Gloria Steinem yesterday. This is her favourite film! If I'd done our Facebook countdown 20 years ago, it would have been somewhere on my list. I still enjoy it, egregious political incorrectness and story-bastardization notwithstanding. (I can't remember if I've read Capote's story or not.) Favourite performance, after Hepburn (I've always had a major crush, so I guess I get her): Martin Balsam. Take a look at this "people as pixels" art by Craig Alan:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/artexpo/5385121866/sizes/l/

[Steven Rubio]

Martin Balsam is very good, yes ... unlike most of the roles I've seen him play.

[Phil]

One of my favourite character actors, actually--love him in Psycho, All the President's Men, and 12 Angry Men. He doesn't have much to do in On the Waterfront.