…not at all what I expected. That’s for sure. A tad wacky. In a good way. What was I expecting? Well, actually, I can’t really say. Not sure myself. A romance. Yes. But that it had Audrey Hepburn so exceptionally off-beat…now that I didn’t expect. To be perfectly honest, I had no idea what this classic was about or what to expect.
The only thing I “knew” was this:
oh…and this:
Yep, that and the song by Deep Blue Something (you’re humming it now, aren’t you?) is all I had to go on.
Then MovieMovieBlogBlog announced the 1961 Blogathon. I’ll give it a miss…but hmmm…in the mood to join up…ooh look…Breakfast at Tifanny’s (I’m humming the song) is a 1961 movie and what do you know…nobody has claimed it yet. Yes…that’s how it went and so I had the perfect excuse to finally get around to watching one that has been on my To Watch list for ages.
For those of you, who, like me didn’t don’t know the story – it is about Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn), a socialite (or is that gold-digger?) with some interesting habits who is trying to find a rich husband. She lives in the same apartment block as writer Paul Varjak (that is Vee Ay Ar Jay Ay Kay – you’ll understand once you’ve watched). And so their paths cross…or should I say, Holly more often crosses into his apartment through the window. We watch them navigate around each other but ultimately towards each other. And Holly living up to her surname (hee hee) on the surface, but there’s actually much more going on. Not everything passes so golightly in this romance. In fact, there were times I wondered why Paul (George Peppard) didn’t walk away.
Thoroughly enjoyable, the Oscar nominations and wins are absolutely deserved. Audrey Hepburn is superb and shines in her role. Never contrived, she brings Holly to life in a natural and believable manner. But it’s more than that…there’s the story too. It had me thinking – about how we live our lives, the values, the people we impact and the rash decisions we make to prove a point (think Cat here). But, above all, it’s to be enjoyed. A great watch. Why did I wait so long??? And the title was put into perspective right from the beginning…didn’t see that coming.
So, MovieMovieBlogBlog…Happy Birthday for today…enjoy all your 1961 posts…I’ve linked to them here for all to see.
Great post! I really enjoyed this film, and recently read the book, which was also good, although a little different from the film as I remember it! Thanks for sharing your thoughts 🙂
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Thanks for your great comment.
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“Breakfast at Tiffany’s” is so different from the rest of Blake Edwards’s filmography, the rest of which are distinctly slapstick and satirical. There’s a sublime melodrama and a real romantic heart in “Breakfast” and every time I rewatch it, I discover new things to fall in love with.
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This is one I definitely need to rewatch and I’m sure I’ll probably see it differently and also discover new things. That’s the thing with movies…one watch is never the same as another.
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I fell in love with this movie the instant I saw it. I actually had to watch it again the next two nights! It’s definitely different than the infamous publicity photos of Audrey would suggest. I don’t think anyone who sees those images would guess this is a movie about a restless child bride-turned-quirky golddigger! It’s kind of funny how this is Audrey’s most known film, yet Holly is almost the total opposite of Audrey’s persona.
If you ever want a real shock, read Capote’s original novella. It is VERY different, mostly because the Production Code wouldn’t have approved if the studio had tried to do a faithful adaptation. (For starters, Paul is gay and Holly’s language is pretty…adult.)
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Ah wow…now that is interesting – will definitely try read the novella. Sounds excellent.
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I had the chance to see this on the big screen a few months ago, and it was like seeing a brand new film. And that’s the thing I find with “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” – each time I watch it, there’s something I hadn’t noticed before.
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Ooh lovely – I’m sure it was really special on the big screen. Atmosphere and all.
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There are parts of this movie that touch me, and parts that annoy me. Blake Edwards was never a boring filmmaker. Audrey Hepburn is always lovely to watch and they created a Bohemian world that is fascinating.
PS: I had to look up Deep Blue Something. Had no idea there was a song called Breakfast at Tiffany’s. I learn something new every day.
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Hope you enjoyed the song. I quite like it.
I definitely need to find out more about Blake Edwards – I’m not really familiar with much other than this one and, as I discovered last night, Wild Rovers which I didn’t know was by him.
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Check out The Pink Panther films he made with Peter Sellers. Other good films he directed are Days Of Wine And Roses and That’s Life.
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Thanks Maddy…will do so. Actually, I vaguely remember seeing part of one of the Pink Panther films…probably time I watch it properly.
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Thank you for contributing this to the blogathon! TIFFANY’S is far from my favorite Blake Edwards movie, but you’ve summed up its virtues nicely.
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Ah, thanks for that. Appreciated.
I’m actually (cringe) not familiar with Blake Edwards so I have nothing to go on….oh, I see I’m wrong…he did do Wild Rovers…hmmm…what a contrast. But I’ll need to find some other references.
Thanks for hosting! Was good to see something that was long overdue.
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Breakfast at Tiffany’s was my introduction to Ms. Hepburn and, just as George Peppard did, I fell in love with her almost immediately. She was a true original and I doubt there will ever be another one like her. Her character might’ve been a “real phony,” but she herself was the genuine article.
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Totally agreed. I really like her here – I much prefer her in this role to Roman Holiday if I may say so. She’s simply wonderful here with that special something.
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So happy to hear how much you loved this one. I LOVE this film. I like that the characters are messy and complicated and that it doesn’t really play out like a traditional romantic film. The ending makes me cry every single time I see it. Audrey is awesome in this.
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Oh absolutely. It is wonderful and the characters with their baggage are perfect.
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Yes! Love this movie and Audrey. It’s interesting that the original story was written with Marilyn Monroe in mind–it would have been a completely different movie if she had starred in it. I think Audrey was more fun, though. 🙂
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oh wow…didn’t know that. But yes…Audrey was perfect. I see Marilyn more in the Some Like it Hot role…not this one.
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Yeah, me too. The whole “powder room” aspect of the film would have been a lot less subtle, for one thing.
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