Roman Holiday

• Title:  Roman Holiday
• Director:  William Wyler
• Date:  1953
• Studio:  Paramount
• Genre:  Romance, Comedy
• Cast:  Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck, Eddie Albert
• Format:  Standard, Black and White
• DVD Format:  R1, NTSC

"I could do some of  the things I've always wanted to do."  --Ann
"Like what?" --Joe
"Oh, you can't imagine.  I'd like to do just whatever I like, the whole day long."  --Ann
"Things like having your hair cut, eating gelato?" --Joe
"Yes, and I'd like to sit in a sidewalk cafe, and look in shop windows, walk in the rain!  Have fun - and maybe even some excitement." --Ann


"The news can wait until tomorrow." -- Ann

"She's fair game, Joe, it's always open season on princesses." -- Irving

Roman Holiday is Audrey Hepburn's first film.  It could have also been easily called, 'The Princess's Day Off', because that is what the film is really about.  Hepburn is Princess Ann, on a whirlwind tour of  European capital cities.  Her schedule is booked by the second, and everything is planned to the last detail - even the words she'll say when accepting or refusing gifts, giving good will speeches and addressing the press.  And young Ann is quite, quite sick of  it.

Upon her arrival in Rome, Ann falls into hysterics and is given a drug to calm her down.  But, instead of sleeping, she sneaks out to have some fun.  Ann collapses on a bench, completely limp and out of  it.
She's discovered by Joe (Peck), a reporter, who doesn't recognize her.  He sees her as a drunk young lady in trouble.  He tries to get her into a cab, but she's so out of  it, she doesn't remember her own address.
So he takes her home to his apartment.  He lends her pajamas, and offers his couch (she takes his bed).  No impropriety occurs, and the next day, Joe goes off to his job at the American News Service.  There he discovers the big news is that the Princess Ann has taken ill, and cancelled all her appointments - and Joe recognizes the girl in the papers as the girl in his apartment.

He talks to his boss, and promises an exclusive and personal interview with Princess Ann.  His boss offers $1000.00 for the story.  When he adds that he can provide candid pictures as well, the price jumps to $5000.
Joe returns to his apartment and finds a recovering Ann.  He lets her have a bath and change again, gives her some money, and sees her off.  Then he calls his friend, Irving (Albert), a photographer, and promises him a cut of the deal.  Irving agrees to find out what the story is, and will meet Joe later.  Meanwhile Joe, follows Ann, without letting her know.  He bumps into her, and promises her a holiday, then takes her to a sidewalk cafe, where Irving meets them.

Ann and Joe, with Irving in tow, tour the tourist spots of  Rome, and Ann has the time of  her life just being normal.  He even takes her to a dance on a barge in the river.  There, Ann, dances with the barber who cut her hair and invited her to the dance.  But her country has called in their secret service to look for Ann, and they find her on the barge.  A fight breaks out but Joe, Ann, and Irving all manage to escape.  Finally, Ann decides she must go back to her duties and after a couple of nice hugs with Joe, has him drop her off  within walking distance of  her hotel.

Joe decides he can't impose on Ann's privacy, or embarrass her, and tells his editor there's no story.  He tells Irving he can sell the pictures if he wants, though he wishes him not to do so.

The next morning, Ann, again in the beautiful white gown of  a princess, has her press conference.  She coldly gives her practiced answers.  Except once - when asked her favorite city on the tour, Ann replies, Rome.
She sees both Joe and Irving at the press conference.  During the receiving line, she shows nearly no emotion, using the same kind responds with them as with the rest of  the ladies and gentlemen of  the press.  Irving, hands her an envelope of  the pictures, saying they are commemorative pictures of Rome.  Ann leaves the press conference.  All in attendance left - and Joe is left, alone, walking out of  the hotel.

Roman Holiday is a fun picture, though a bit slow.  Audrey Hepburn is really good, expressing both emotion and lack of emotion, as she alternately experiences every day things for the first time, or does her princess act for the press.  Peck is a man who's caught - he feels something for Ann (though in my opinion he's much too old for her) but knows they are from different worlds.  In a way, the film is about isolation, Ann's behind the walls of a palace, and Joe's in the middle of a bustling city.  Though Joe has a friend in Irving, and his poker buddies seen at the beginning of  the film.  It's enjoyable to watch.

Recommendation:  See it.
Rating:  3.5
Next film:  Royal Wedding