Roman Holiday (1953) saw Audrey Hepburn pick up an Oscar for her first leading role as Princess Ann, a young cloistered Royal who falls in love with an American journalist (Gregory Peck) when on a visit to Rome. The wide-eyed charm and ingenuous acting style first took roots in this charming romantic comedy which sees her hold her own against the more experienced Peck. Audrey’s success in Roman Holiday also marked the end of a Hollywood dominated by buxom beauties such as Marilyn Monroe and Sophia Loren. Billy Wilder, who she worked with on Sabrina (1954) said that “she may single-handedly make bosoms a thing of the past”.
One would expect a romance set in Rome and starring Hepburn and Peck would be laden with over the top sentimentality but Roman Holiday is a film built on understatement. There isn’t one moment of gushing hyperbole; no whispered ‘I Love You’s’ or screaming declarations. Peck’s cynicism is the perfect foil for Hepburn’s wide- eyed innocence. Her amazement and joy at seeing things that Peck sees everyday will warm the coldest of hearts, a standout scene is the moment they visit La Bocca della Verita.
It also has an ending so perfect that it rivals the closing stages of Casablanca. This is not classic Hollywood romance but almost a certain kind of realism. Love can be many things but it can also be fleeting, resonant and heartbreaking. This is the ending of Roman Holiday. There is nothing better than lovers who cannot be together and here is where director Wyler gets it right, the final scene which sees Peck slowly walking out of the great hall and away from Hepburn is flawless. The little smile, the way he never looks back, this was a love affair he will never forget. And neither will we.
One would expect a romance set in Rome and starring Hepburn and Peck would be laden with over the top sentimentality but Roman Holiday is a film built on understatement. There isn’t one moment of gushing hyperbole; no whispered ‘I Love You’s’ or screaming declarations. Peck’s cynicism is the perfect foil for Hepburn’s wide- eyed innocence. Her amazement and joy at seeing things that Peck sees everyday will warm the coldest of hearts, a standout scene is the moment they visit La Bocca della Verita.
It also has an ending so perfect that it rivals the closing stages of Casablanca. This is not classic Hollywood romance but almost a certain kind of realism. Love can be many things but it can also be fleeting, resonant and heartbreaking. This is the ending of Roman Holiday. There is nothing better than lovers who cannot be together and here is where director Wyler gets it right, the final scene which sees Peck slowly walking out of the great hall and away from Hepburn is flawless. The little smile, the way he never looks back, this was a love affair he will never forget. And neither will we.
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