VHS : Breakfast At Tiffany's [1961]

Rating: - I must say I'm amazed
This movie is an absolute must-see for anyone. It combines everything a classic should have - great actors (Audrey is tops and Peppard was never better), a great screenplay, a perfect score and New York (as usual) doing its best. The screenplay departs from the Capote's original but it does so in a way which makes the story work and which could be presented on the screen in 1961 - actually, the story is quite daring for the early 60s but you have to read between the lines every now and then to get it. Anyway, why shouldn't you reach for the original book once you are done watching?
In short - How does it look? I must say I'm amazed.
PS I wouldn't, however, recommend the movie to anyone who wants to quit smoking... ;)
PPS If you need more, you should also reach for Love and Other Disasters.

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Rating: - Must See film
This Blake Edward adaptation of Truman Capote's classic novella is ideally cast. New York playgirl Holly Golightly, played by Audrey Hepburn, puzzles a writer who moves into her building, played by George Peppard.

Holly has her life planned out. She plans to marry a rich man who is under 50 years of age. Her and the writer, Paul Harvak, start off being friends. And over the course of the movie, he falls in love with her. She of course has planned to run off and marry a man of means. Their relationship bounces back and forth, but is always leading to what we hope will be the inevitable ending. Here we have a romantic movie that moves from the cute to sweet.

This movie is extremely well cast, directed and scored. A most memorable song is Henry Mancini's "Moon River". Which is just perfect for this movie. And even until this day, there is not an actress that could possibly replace Audrey Hepburn. She is this movie, and it has to be her most stellar performance of all time. George Peppard is also very good as well. Worth watching.

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Rating: - Beloved but gooey
I'll admit I'm in the minority about Breakfast at Tiffany's. The movie just doesn't touch me. Here are some things that put me off.
--The whole movie seems to me to be self consciously fey.
--George Peppard has never seemed to me to be credible as the leading man. There is always something smart alecky and wooden (at the same time) about the guy.
--Audrey Hepburn is such a lady, carefully groomed and dressed, always gracious. She's a young grande dame. I have liked her best in the two bookends of her career, Roman Holiday and Robin and Marian. I probably would have a different view if she'd made the movie earlier. In Roman Holiday she really was young, and came across as eager for new things. Maybe that was just good acting, but by the time she made Breakfast, eight or nine years had passed. She's become the great actress playing kooky. For me, it shows.
--Micky Rooney and his character are both awful. If he'd played it in blackface he'd have been a great Stepin Fetchit.

However, Mancini captures the moment with his Moon River theme. I think one of the things that makes the theme work is Johnny Mercer's lyrics. The guy was extraordinary in everything he wrote. "...my huckleberry friend..." is a phrase of genius...although I'm not sure what a huckleberry friend is.

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Rating: - Disappointing period piece
I do acknowledge that this is rated as a classic, but after watching it I was really at a loss to explain why.. It manages to cram about half-an-hours worthwhile plot into its 109 minutes. Apart from that it's just largely unfunny froth, with a terribly cod Japanese impression from Mickey Rooney as the nadir of the non-humour.

The remainder is just glib "cool and trendy" patter, interspersed with early 60's party shots, documenting the parties we are supposed to wish we'd gone to...

It manages one touching moment at the finish, when Audrey Hepburn finds her cat which she has booted out of the car five minutes earlier - the rest is trite, vapid and forgettable.

After about an hour I was yawning, and that is about the only final summary I can give this film.

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Rating: - Meet Audrey Hepburn for Breakfast at Tiffany's
A beautiful debonair named Holly Golightly leaves her husband and moves into Manhattan with an ambition to meet a wealthy man, marry him, and then name her pet cat, and enjoy the rest of her life. This sounds like an ambition of a typical young woman, but when Holly meets a young writer named Paul Varjak; there is no love at first; but that changes gradually and love blossoms. One would like to think this is a love story, but not quite, the author is not Erich Segal. Truman Capote wrote this short novel about a woman who is in pursuit of a high society life and never finds one; and she never grows up. The movie deviates from Capote's book in several areas. Capote wrote this book with Marilyn Monroe on his mind for the lead role, but the role went to Audrey Hepburn; director Blake Edwards couldn't have made a better choice. This is one of the classic movies of Hepburn in which every member of the audience becomes enchanted and captivated with the beauty and passion of Holly played by Hepburn. This wisp-thin actress, carrying a long cigarette holder is one of the iconic images of American Cinema.

In the final part of the movie when Holly was dumped by her rich Brazilian fiancée, her friend Paul Varjak helps her recollect; and in a reconciliatory term she changes her heart only to fall in love with Varjak. This scene was shot in the middle of pouring rain in Manhattan that adds a touch of pure romance and a grand finale to the endless pursuit of Holly in search of a rich man. Everyone who loves happy ending would love this; but no one was unhappy than Capote who was upset for the change; he wanted Holly to remain as a mysterious woman who never learns and never gives up her dream. My favorite part of the movie is the film's on-location opening sequence, in which Holly gazes into a Tiffany's display window after getting out from a cab in mid-town Manhattan, while eating a pastry; and of course the scene kissing Varjak in the middle of pouring rain in Manhattan. This movie shows more scenes of streets of Manhattan than any other movie I have seen. I highly recommend listening to the hit song of the American rock group Deep Blue Somthing's "Breakfast at Tiffany's," which adds to the enjoyment. Of course the music in the movie is strongly supported by Henry Mancini.

Many of us from the days of "A Team" know George Peppard as a tough talking Colonel Smith. It is a pleasant surprise for many of us to see this DVD and witness the tender side of young Peppard as Paul Varjak. Paul is strong, yet remains as an acquaintance of Holly but gradually he sees the feminine side of Holly, who is vulnerable, yet romantic in her heart. Blake Edwards indicated at one stage that he might not have cast Peppard if he were to do this all over again. We are unsure if there was a problem in their working relationship or Edwards was unhappy with his casting. I for one who was most disappointed to learn that Peppard was not nominated for academy award for his role in this movie. Buddy Ebsen and Mickey Rooney have limited role; yet they delight the audience with their talents and craftsmanship.