If ever there was a movie that should open with "Once Upon A Time" this is it. Roman Holiday is a fairytale about a princess who runs away and falls in love. It is also one of the best romantic comedy/dramas ever turned out by a Hollywood studio.
If you are unfamiliar with the story it is a bout a princess, played by Audrey Hepburn, who is on a grand tour of the great cities of Europe. While in Rome she collapses under the pressure of the daily routine and mind numbing schedule and sneaks out in the middle of the night. It is no mistake that her escape resembles a jail break, because she lives in a type of prison. She wanders the streets of Rome for a bit before passing out from a sedative she was given before she left the palace. She is discovered by Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck), a reported for the American News Service. he does not recognize her but takes her home to avoid having her arrested by the police. The next day, when he learns who has been sleeping in his apartment he is on to the biggest scoop of the decade. In order to get a story he spends the day escorting her around Rome, doing the things she always wanted to do, a Roman holiday. Unfortunately the police are looking for her and their holiday must end. It becomes even harder when they realize how much their day together has meant to them. They kiss and discover it is very hard to say goodbye.
It is a perfect film. Everything from location, director, stars, writing, editing and cinematography fell into place to create this fanciful concoction of unrequited love. And the fact that love is unrequited is what makes the film so wonderful and poignant. There are three particular moments in the movie where the film sets the audience up for a typical happy ending, each time we anticipate that when we turn around the princess will be returning to the man she has fallen in love with, but it never happens. It can't happens. because as the movie says, "so often we have to live lives that do not make us happy.
I think the only thing that would have made the film better was if it was filmed in color. If you have never seen this gem from Paramount's golden age, I suggest you rent it.
At The Movie House rating **** stars
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