Roman Holiday

Hello to all fellow bloggers and blog readers! It's been a while since I've been a-blogging, so please excuse any faux-pas or outright idiocy.

I figured the best way to start is with an absolute classic, and so we begin with Roman Holiday, originally released by Paramount in 1953. It stars two of the largest acting icons in the industry: Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. This was Hepburn's theatrical debut, and it earned her the 1954 Oscar for Actress in a Lead Role, among other awards and nominations. If you don't recognize the names, I do not have the time or patience to explain the entirety of mid-20th century American culture to you. Sorry.

This is a first-time viewing for me; something I'm mildly ashamed of, but readily admit.

From the start, it's hard not to love. As stated in the opening credits, all filming takes place in Rome itself. Single locations are a non-option in the modern film industry, so to see something all contained in one city is a splendid thing in itself.

The premise of the film is something familiar to any human of the current time. A lovely, young, European princess on a diplomatic tour of the world finds herself overwhelmed by social and political responsibility and abruptly relieves herself of it. In the process, she is assisted and accompanied by an American ne'er-do-well, who wants nothing more than to use her for his own advance, but adventure ensues and mischief leads to mutual emotion. It's a story that's regretfully mundane by now, but it's not the story that sells this movie. The combination of Hepburn's poise and lithe, genuine spirit, Peck's shrewd chivalry, and the splendor and romance of Rome itself make the entire picture nothing less than intoxicating. This is the film that set the standard for all romantic comedies, before and since, and it's clear that considerably less than few meet the criteria.

It's films like these that make a girl want to speak frankly and walk slowly with a smile. It does not extend beyond itself, and because of that it is perfect in every moment. It's simple and fine, qualities so frequently overlooked in the advent of technicolor and CGI.

If you haven't seen it, I suggest it, if only to take an hour and a half to enjoy the warmth of a truly good film and to see the sights of the eternal city. Make for yourself a pleasant little holiday.