Film Review
Oldie but Goodie, ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Deserves Another Look

By Maliha Adams (November 18, 2004)

If you take a look at the history of romantic movies, you can never overlook Breakfast at Tiffany's. Horribly under-appreciated upon its premiere, this sleeper hit enchants its audience thanks to the leading lady. Audrey Hepburn is in a role that would make modern actresses salivate. She plays the infamous Holly Golightly, a woman who claims to be "a wild thing," never able to love or be loved. On the inside, however, she is vulnerable, and loving. She has evaded herself and life for her short lifespan on earth, but she can never truly escape her true self.

Holly is an expensive escort, playing the field shrewdly. She goes on dates with well known socialite bachelors, gets money out of them ($50 for the powder room, $50 for cab money), then flees the very next day. She lives a hectic life: visits to Sally Tomato every Thursday in prison to deliver his "weather report," buzzing Mr. Yunioshi for access to the apartment, and worrying about her brother Fred. Come to think of it, her life is built much more around routine than anything.

But then she meets Paul Varjak, a writer/gigolo, who is used to relying on people for normality and money. He is unlike the "rats" that Holly is used to liking, and she is unlike the other women that he has fallen in love with.

This is the basic premise for the film (based on a short story by Truman Capote), but the movie is so much more than just romance, it is the perfect hectic romantic comedy, coupled with wonderful movie making.

The party scene goes on a little long, which is my only complaint, but the rest of the subplots are perfect: Holly's attachment to her brother Fred, her need to marry money, and her former life all work so well to deepen this materialistic character.

The acting is first rate. Audrey Hepburn deserved an Academy Award for her performance, and earns a place in my book as one of the best performances ever. George Peppard plays an almost bland love interest, yet complements Holly Golightly so perfectly, that it’s hard it imagine them not being together. Assisted by the theme song "Moon River," the tale ends magically and will undoubtedly leave you in tears. The love these "dream-making heart breakers" share is more than convincing, it’s beautiful and bittersweet.