Movie Review: Roman Holiday (1953)

Salutations!

I hope that all of you are doing well! Today it's time for another review (because that is my main goal around here but it doesn't always happen)! I'll be talking about the first movie I saw a famous actor in. Are you ready to go on a vacation, or holiday? Maybe watching this movie will be enough of one. Enjoy my review!

My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning. This is spoiler free!

Roman Holiday (1953):

"Best thing that I know is to do exactly what you wish for a while."

After traveling to countless events in different countries without a break, Princess Ann is sick of it all. Hearing her schedule for the next day she breaks down believing that she can't handle it anymore. She decides to run away from it. A journalist, Joe Bradley, finds her and takes care of her but once he learns that she is the princess he decides to make the biggest story of his career. What will happen on this Roman holiday?

"Life isn't always what one likes, is it?"

Genres: Romance, Drama.

Length: approx. 118 minutes.

Costumes: 9, they won Best Costumes at the Oscars that year. And really, can I have all of Ann's wardrobe?

Costumes by: Edith Head.

My favorite:

Script: 10, no bad language!

Crew: Directed by: William Wyler. Written by: Ian McLellan Hunter, John Dighton, & Dalton Trumbo.

Starring:

Audrey Hepburn as Princess Ann. "Trouble? You're not what I'd call trouble."

Gregory Peck as Joe Bradley.

Eddie Albert as Irving Radovich.

Paolo Carlini as Mario Delani.

Hartley Power as Mr. Hennessy.

Margaret Rawlings as Countess Vereberg.

Tullio Carminati as General Provno.

Harcourt Williams as Ambassador.

Claudio Ermelli as Giovanni.

Paola Borboni as Charwoman.

Alfredo Rizzo as Taxicab Driver.

Laura Solari as Hennessy's Secretary.

Gorella Gori as Shoe Seller.

Cinematography: 9, it is pretty lovely. Plus, it was entirely filmed in Rome!

Cinematography by: Henri Alekan & Franz Planer.

Music: 8, now, I couldn't hum the score for you if I was asked, but watching it at certain moments I was thinking how well it went with the story.

Music by: Georges Auric.

Quotability: 7, it isn't the most quotable movie that I've ever seen, but not all films have to be, you know? I can see myself saying this line a lot (and even though it was used in annoyance in the film I'd be saying it with contentment.):

"Everything we do is so wholesome."

Oscars won: 3: Best Actress (Audrey Hepburn), Best Story, Best Costume Design (Black-and-White).

Content: 9, the only thing that stuck out to me was that there was some smoking. There could have been some suggestive moments but they kept everything perfectly decent. There was a time when one character thought that another was drunk, but the person wasn't actually.

"You know, people who can't handle liquor shouldn't drink it."

Originality: 10, since then this story idea (a princess runs away from her duties and someone finds her who thinks of a plan to make money) has been used, but this is one of the earliest that I can think of.

Good For: Fans of the actors, anyone needing a break or vacation.

Age Range: It's perfectly acceptable for any and all ages, but depending on the person if they are older they might find the story more interesting.

Overall Score: 9!

Worth watching?: Yes! I'll talk about this more in a minute, but this has such great characters and motivations and everything. Plus, it's a classic and lovely story.

Will I watch again?: I feel that it's one of those movies that grow on you every time you watch it. The first time I wasn't that invested, but this time I thoroughly enjoyed myself so I'm excited for the next time I watch.

For the blogathon:

Wait, MC, this is for a blogathon? Yes, half of the things I do around here are for blogathons. The blogathon this time is the Atticus and Boo Blogathon hosted by Taking Up Room. 

For those of you who don't know, Atticus and Boo are two famous characters from the book To Kill a Mockingbird - by Harper Lee. When they made a movie adaptation of the book in 1962 they cast Gregory Peck and Robert Duvall in the respective roles. This blogathon is celebrating those two actors!

Atticus Finch is my favorite role that I've seen Gregory Peck in, so I know that I wanted to participate. As I mentioned in my intro, I'm joining in with the first movie that I ever saw him in, Roman Holiday (1953)! The only other movie that I've seen him in is Moby Dick (1956) and I was really impressed with his talent, so I'm looking forward to seeing more movies with him. He may be on his way to becoming one of my favorite actors.

This time around watching Roman Holiday (1953) I was struck with how much it is his, Joe Bradley's, story. Of course all of the events happen because of Ann and she is our leading lady, but so much is determined by Joe. He is such a good character with helping people naturally before he knows their identity. In this rewatch he stole the show.

Thank you Rebecca for hosting this! Please go check out the other entries HERE.

Thanks to all of you for reading! Have any of you seen this movie? Tell me your favorite movies with Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn! I wish the best for all of you!

MovieCritic