Utterly charming romantic comedy!

For enthusiastic fans of romantic comedies, William Wyler's enchanting classic Roman Holiday is an absolute must. With its endearing blend of delightful dialogue, subtle laughs and utterly charming characters, there is little mystery why Roman Holiday has become such a tremendous favourite over the decades. While the film was directed by William Wyler (known in Hollywood at the time for being an absolute perfectionist, occasionally filming up to 30 takes for one scene) and featured the charismatic Gregory Peck, this is a production best known for bringing actress Audrey Hepburn into the spotlight. In the early 1950s, Hepburn had only performed on Broadway and in minor roles in various films. Yet the studio took a chance on the unproved performer, and as a result Hepburn was bestowed with an Academy Award for Best Actress.

Witty, warm, beautifully filmed (on location in Rome), charming and admirably unconventional, Roman Holiday remains an unabashed romantic pleasure and a terrifically enduring classic.

These days it's typical for young girls to fantasise about being a princess. Perhaps there's the possibility that princesses fantasise about being just another regular girl - a fairytale in reverse, to speak. Whatever the case, this is the premise for the story told in Roman Holiday. The film tells the story of a princess spending a day in anonymity, away from her privileged lifestyle and excessive riches. This is a tale that has been retold various times in many different forms, even in the years of contemporary cinema. For instance, Notting Hill: the story of an ordinary Brit dating the world's most famous actress. Or there's Chasing Liberty that tells the story of the First Daughter venturing out on her own. Furthermore, while the story of Roman Holiday may seem farfetched, it has gained credibility over the years. The events in the lives of Princess Margaret and even Princess Diana have proved just how accurate this classic gem truly is.

Princess Ann (Hepburn), heir to the throne of an influential country in Europe, is on a goodwill tour of the European capitals. After travelling to Paris, London and Amsterdam among others, the princess finds herself in Rome. But the strain of her lifestyle is beginning to have an effect on her mental state. When Ann's secretary confronts her with her awfully busy schedule for the next day, Ann has a fit of hysterics and suffers a meltdown - she's completely fed up with having every moment of her life intricately planned. Subsequently she's given a sedative to calm her down. In her drugged state, Ann slips out of the palace, runs away from her royal duties and ventures out into the city where she poses as a drunk, homeless girl. American newsman Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck) discovers the comatose Princess Ann. Feeling guilty about abandoning someone in no condition to be on their own, Joe brings Ann back to his apartment so she can "sleep it off". The following morning Joe realises the identity of his mysterious guest and begins plotting a method to obtain an exclusive story out of the situation. He enlists the aid of his friend (Albert) to take the pictures. Over the course of the day spent with Ann, Joe's desire to write the story wanes as his fondness for his companion escalates.

Audrey Hepburn was in her early 20s when she starred in the film. Co-star Gregory Peck was so taken with the ability of Hepburn that he persuaded the studio to place her name in equal billing with his, as Peck was convinced that Hepburn's performance would earn her the Academy Award for Best Actress. The rest is history: Peck was right, and Hepburn won the Oscar.
Roman Holiday began a decade of memorable performances for Audrey Hepburn with a roster that would include Sabrina Fairchild, Holly Golightly, and Eliza Doolittle. The actress also pulled off what few co-stars could manage: make Gregory Peck fade into the background. Of course Peck is fine and charismatic in the role of Joe Bradley, but he is faintly belittled whenever he shares the screen with Hepburn.

The film was shot on location in Rome (this fact is noted emphatically in a caption during the opening credits, ensuring audiences wouldn't think they're witnessing sound stage shots combined with stock footage). These locations allow director Wyler ample opportunities to flaunt the best face of the Italian city. With the gorgeous black-and-white cinematography extracting the movie from reality and placing it into the fairytale land where it belongs, Rome comes across as the most romantic location on Earth. No blemish is ever shown. As idyllic and wonderful as the place may be, however, one shouldn't anticipate this kind of perfect vacation if you ever visit.

Ann's holiday involves all sorts of normal activities which transform her 24 hours of freedom into an ephemeral love affair with a handsome gentleman in a romantic location. Although Hepburn's Princess Ann and Peck's Joe Bradley steal several kisses, their relationship never goes beyond that. Roman Holiday is about the possibilities of love more than the tangible realities. It brings to light something most romantics recognise: the ideal love affair is almost always one that's never consummated. The film admirably stays away from the concept of a happy ending. Although abrupt and unsatisfying to some, it reminds the audience that this is no fairytale - a bulk of the movie seemed like something out of a fairytale, but it is in fact reality, and this is how the cookie crumbles.

By no means is Roman Holiday faultless, though. The major shortcoming of the film is its excessive length. Running at just under two hours, the film is too long by about 20 minutes. The audience doesn't need to be repeatedly told that Ann and Joe are rapidly falling in love with one another (it's fairly noticeable given the way the actors look at each other). In addition, the film's conclusion can almost be speculated before it transpires. Ergo the denouement should have been fast-tracked.

More than 50 years following its original release, Roman Holiday remains a staple of the romantic comedy fan's movie library. It delivers everything it promises, from the contemporary inversion of the Cinderella fable to a fabric of low-key humour. (The film's humour offers more chuckles than overt laughs) The ending, while not completely downbeat, is the sort of thing Hollywood might erroneously alter today, but it's note-perfect for the production. This ending may surprise first-time viewers because of its rather sombre tone; however I admire the filmmakers for possessing the guts to stay true to their convictions. Sometimes all's well regardless of not ending so well. There's still adequate charm, allure and wit on display, though, and that's what counts the most.

If you're in the mood for something vivacious and uplifting, Roman Holiday is the trip to take.

8.2/10