BLAKE EDWARDS

Bil’s rating (out of 5):  BBBB

USA, 1961.  Jurow-Shepherd.  Screenplay by George Axelrod,based on the novel by Truman Capote.  Cinematography by Franz Planer.  Produced by Martin Jurow, Richard Shepherd.  Music by Henry Mancini.  Production Design by Roland Anderson, Hal Pereira.  Costume Design by Hubert de Givenchy, Edith Head, Pauline Trigere.  Film Editing by Howard A. Smith.  

Probably Audrey Hepburn‘s most beloved performance, starring as midwestern farm girl turned New York party girl Holly Golightly, who captures the eye of a struggling writer and kept man (George Peppard) of a rich Manhattan socialite (Patricia Neal).

Hepburn does a fantastic job of making Holly lively and fun, witty and wise while never letting us forget the doe-eyed little girl who is hiding immediately behind her eyes. Blake Edwards’ direction is superbly decadent and romantically innocent at the same time; we know we’re watching a movie about two people who sell their bodies for a living, but we still believe in them as romantic heroes.

The film is accentuated by gorgeous colour cinematography, Hepburn’s memorable wardrobe (designed by her good friend Hubert de Givenchy), one of the best party scenes ever put in a film, and the unforgettable musical score by Henry Mancini that culminates with one of the all-time great movie songs, “Moon River”.

Academy Awards:  Best Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture; Best Song (“Moon River”)
Nominations: Best Actress (Audrey Hepburn); Best Adapted Screenplay; Best Art Direction-Colour

Golden Globe Award Nominations:  Best Picture-Comedy; Best Actress-Musical/Comedy (Audrey Hepburn)