Year of Release: 1953Country of Origin: USA
Director: William Wyler
Cast: Gregory Peck, Audrey Hepburn, Eddie Albert
Plot outline: A bored and sheltered princess escapes her guardians and falls in love with an American newsman (IMDb).
Roman Holiday was the movie that made Audrey Hepburn a star. Hepburn radiates youth, innocence and vitality. She wins the sympathy of the audience from the earliest scenes. The biggest surprise was provided by Eddie Albert - later known as a competent but unengaging straight man - here his character is excitable and bohemian, and even sports a beard suitable for a temperamental artist. Albert plays this character perfectly, and it is a shame that middle age led to his casting in less challenging roles. During the 1950s and 1960s, Hepburn was frequently cast with much older leading men, such as Fred Astaire, Humphrey Bogart, Rex Harrison, Gary Cooper and Cary Grant. But Gregory Peck was closer to her in age, making him less of a father figure and more convincing as a love interest. Still, Peck has an air of moral rectitude - that he will do "the right thing" with her is never really in doubt. His character matches well with Hepburn's, as his advantages in experience and cynicism are offset by Hepburn's appealing innocence and vulnerability. But, there are a few scenes that don't fully work. We are to believe that Bradley can convince his elderly Italian landlord to play soldier. At the press conference, Bradley and Irving have managed to be front and center of a large contingent of an extremely well-behaved press. It is difficult to believe that Bradley (much less Irving) wouldn't publish a financially rewarding, career-making story. Ann, after acting like a child throughout, suddenly gains maturity at the end. Nevertheless, Roman Holiday is well directed, well written, and very well cast. 1953 was the year of From Here to Eternity, a blockbuster that would dominate the Academy Awards. Despite its ten nominations, Roman Holiday won only three Oscars: Best Actress (Hepburn), Best Story, and Best Costume Design (Edith Head). (BK)
My judgement: ***1/2 out of 4 stars
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