In her breakout role, Audrey Hepburn won an Oscar and became a movie icon. This bittersweet romantic comedy is the precursor to modern princess fantasies such as NOTTING HILL. Dalton Trumbo's Oscar-winning writing (which was originally awarded to his front Ian McLellan Hunter because he had been blacklisted) simmers with innocent sexuality, naturally constructed slapstick and a devastatingly real ending. Director William Wyler lures us in with the romance and hits the viewer with an emotional climax that's as tense as any thriller.
Princess Ann (Hepburn) is an effervescent young woman whose royal duties keep her on a torturously boring schedule. While visiting Rome, she wants to experience the city on the ground level, not through stuffy balls and public relation events. One night after receiving a sedative to control her outbursts of emotion, she sneaks out into the city to explore. When the drugs kick in, she dozes off on a bench where she is discovered by newspaper reporter Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD), whom doesn't want to take responsibility for her at first, but doesn't want to hand her over to the cops believing that she is drunk. In the morning, he discovers whom she really is, and devises a plan with his photographer friend Irving Radovich (Eddie Albert, TV's GREEN ACRES) to write an exclusive article on the princess's rogue behavior.
The gorgeous locations are a combination of the gorgeously filmed Rome streets and landmarks from Academy Award-nominees Franz Planer and Henri Alekan, and the Oscar-nominated art direction and set decoration. Hepburn is lavished in Edith Head's glamorous costumes, making the svelte beauty radiate royalty whether she is dressed in an elaborate gown or a simple top, skirt and white gloves. Specifically watch how Wyler uses the press conference location to build anticipation.
Hepburn presents Ann as a smart young woman who just wants to have a chance to have some fun. Her escape from the palace is like a young 18-year-old running off to college; accept in ROMAN HOLIDAY, Ann claims she's actually running away from school. She does everything that her "parents" wouldn't allow, like getting her hair cut short and driving a motorscooter. What does it mean when her shock over waking up at Joe's slips into a smile? Bradley is a kind man who just wants to help out a kid in trouble, but his opportunistic side takes over. The way Trumbo writes the character and they way Peck plays him makes us like him, but wonder whether he'll do the right thing in the end. Receiving an Oscar nod for his performance, Albert gets some of the biggest laughs as the bohemian photographer who takes a few licks for his friend. His slapsick timing is impeccable.
The story is Princess Ann's. It's her coming of age. However, she doesn't learn big life lessons from "teacher" Bradley like other coming-of-age tales, but grows on her own. Joe helps facilitates her journey. He never tries to force any idea on her, because her growth is not his problem and the screenplay doesn't force it on him. She learns from new experiences, becoming more secure in herself. Trumbo subtly weaves this all into a light Rome travelogue. Like life, we grow without ever knowing it and fairy tale endings only happen in the movies.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
