Friday, March 26, 2021

The Audrey Hepburn Netflix Story

 There's a new documentary on Netflix that focuses on the fascinating life of screen legend and fashion icon Audrey Hepburn. The documentary is entitled AUDREY. After an oddly amateurish opening, the documentary picks up polish. I read a couple of reviews by nationally known critics who wrote that we really don't learn anything new about the late actress. I don't agree. She was one of my favorite stars. There were elements of this documentary that I found revealing and surprising. In her youth overseas during World War 2, she knew poverty and hunger, her father abandoned the family and two of her relatives were killed by Nazis. She went on to become a radiant movie symbol of -- as Fred Astaire's fashion photographer character says in 1957's FUNNY FACE -- "....a girl who has character, spirit and intelligence." And I might add, elegance.


The first seven minutes of this documentary are awkward. We see a ballerina alone on a stage looking pensive. She starts to dance. We hear the voice of Audrey Hepburn telling us that ballet was her big love. She wanted to be a ballet dancer. She knew nothing about acting. We hear a voice at the Academy Awards about to announce the winner for Best Actress of 1953. The winner is Audrey Hepburn for William Wyler's ROMAN HOLIDAY. We see footage of her making her charming acceptance speech. I recognized the male voice announcing the winner as the voice of SINGIN' IN THE RAIN star Donald O'Connor. This is followed by several voices giving us flattering comments about Hepburn. I recognized one as belongin to the marvelous Molly Haskell, film critic.

Audrey Hepburn danced in FUNNY FACE and 1964's MY FAIR LADY. But no film showed us her skill as a classically trained ballerina more than the 1952 British spy thriller, SECRET PEOPLE. Had I made the documentary, I would've opened with one of Audrey Hepburn's ballet numbers in SECRET PEOPLE coupled with her voiceovers about her love of ballet. That would've been stronger than the anonymous ballerina we first see. Also, on the lower portion of the screen, I would've had graphics identifying the people off-camera who gave comments about Audrey and one identifying Donald O'Connor.

Seven minutes into the documentary, the presentation is more polished. Relatives, former Hepburn co-workers and journalists speak and screen graphics identity who they are. What I learned from the documentary was that Hepburn was working in London -- getting bit parts in films solely for the money -- and met Colette, author of GIGI. With Colette's support, Hepburn played GIGI onstage. During that time, William Wyler held a talent search in London as he sought a fresh fare to star in ROMAN HOLIDAY. Audrey Hepburn landed the lead role. This rest is movie history. One segment I found interesting was the detail on her first, long marriage to actor Mel Ferrer. Actress Leslie Caron played GIGI in the Oscar-winning Vincente Minnelli original screen musical based on Colette's work. Before that, she starred opposite Mel Ferrer in MGM's LILI. Ferrer played the stern puppeteer in that musical. We know more about Hepburn than we do about Ferrer, who was a positive engine to Hepburn's career during the early part of their marriage. They divorced. Her second marriage started off well, but he turned out to be a dog. Her third relationship -- not a marriage -- was wonderful. During that union, she embarked on her magnificent work with UNICEF.

We do get insight into how seriously she took her craft. Also, her relationship with famed designer Hubert de Givenchy displayed her gift for realizing the synergy between high fashion and film. She incorporated his work in SABRINA, FUNNY FACE and BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S. The latter film showed a bravery and brilliance in challenging herself as an actress. A template of Hepburn films was her finding romantic happiness and regard for her smartness and spirit in an older male. The young men were not emotionally her equals. So, in SABRINA, she fell for the older Humphrey Bogart character instead of his younger playboy brother. In FUNNY FACE, she went for Fred Astaire. LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON had her falling in love with Gary Cooper. Later, she'd bond with Rex Harrison in MY FAIR LADY and Cary Grant in CHARADE. With BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S, she flipped the script on that format. Truman Capote's novella, it's been noted, had Marilyn Monroe as the inspiration for Holly Golightly. The 1961 film was released two years after Monroe's big success in Billy Wilder's SOME LIKE IT HOT. The movie gives us a different Holly than the novella does. The screenplay has a warmer, more sympathetic feeling towards her. She is still that country girl who, like millions of us, headed to New York City to reinvent herself and find a new life. Holly, in the film, left a poor farm where she was known for "stealing turkey eggs" and headed in a hipster life in Manhattan wherein she took cash from older men for sexual favors. In Blake Edwards' BREAKFAST AT TIFFANYS, it's the older man who leads the young woman astray and escorts her further into a life of no substance. It's the young man, one in her own age category, who will be her salvation. That was a major switch from the previous Hepburn template. In the opening scene, looking like a high fashion model who just stepped off a Parisian runway in an Hubert de Givenchy original, she shows her attention to detail. She's alone on Fifth Avenue at daybreak, with a deli purchase of coffee in a paper cup and a pastry. With the wistful harmonica music playing "Moon River," she approached the window at Tiffany's. Notice her walk, her carriage, her style. For the country girl who once stole turkey eggs, she has put a lot of work into her reinvention. It's a studied, calculated elegance that covers loneliness.


In the last act of the documentary, the one showing much footage of her UNICEF work, I did feel there was a missed opportunity of "life imitates art." I love Audrey Hepburn's masterful performance in Fred Zinnemann's THE NUN'S STORY. The 1959 film, based on a true story, reflected some of the actress' real life. Her character was Belgian and her family was seriously affected by Nazism in World War 2. Hepburn played a woman who longs to be a nun. She's the daughter of a renowned surgeon and she is as medically brilliant as her loving father. He sees and respects her independent spirits and wonders if the strict rules of a convent are ready for her feminist independence. Sister Luke (Hepburn) burns with a desire to go to the Congo and help the poor and sick there. She gets there and improves lives. Hepburn went to Africa to do work for UNICEF. She didn't make red carpet-like celebrity appearances. She wore ordinary clothes, sat on the ground, helped and fed poor Black children. She went into huts. She utilized her stardom to help the less fortunate.


In interviews, we hear Hepburn speak frankly about her career, her marriages, miscarriage and divorces. We hear from friends and relatives how much she was loved. She made the world around her a better place. I just wish this Netflix documentary, loving as it is, had been a little more special. She deserved that. Filmmaker Helena Coan gave us this feature on the film star, fashion icon and tireless humanitarian. And now, from one of my favorite Hepburn films, here's a number from her musical with Fred Astaire, FUNNY FACE. It's the sublime "He Loves and She Loves" dance.

AUDREY on Netflix runs 1 hour 40 minutes.

12 comments:

  1. Am here to appreciate Dr Ogudugu for using his herbal medicine to cure my Herpes virus. since 3 years now I have been living with this virus and it has been giving me challenges, I was so perplexed cause i have been taking several drugs to be cured but all of my effort was in vain,one .morning i was browsing through the internet then i saw several testimonies about Dr Ogudugu curing people from Herpes virus and immediately i contacted Dr Ogudugu on his email: greatogudugu@gmail.com, i told him about my troubles and he told me that i must be cured, gave me some instructions and which i rightly followed. so he prepared a herbal medicine for me and sent it to me which i used for 2 weeks and everything was like a dream to me and my Herpes virus was totally gone, why don’t you contact him today and be free from your diseases because he is very good and honest Doctor. contact him via email; greatogudugu@gmail.com or whatsApp him on +2348063739701!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hello everyone, I am so glad to write this article today to tell the world how Dr Ogudugu cured my (HSV VIRUS),I have been detected with (HSV-1&2) since 6years ago, ever since then my life has been incomplete bizarre and agony, I have used so many drugs that was prescribed to me by several doctors, but it didn't cure my (HSV VIRUS) neither did it reduce the pain, until a certain day i was checking for solution on the internet, then miraculously i came across Dr Ogudugu the powerful herbalist that cure numerous individuals (HSV-1 & HSV-2, HPV 1&2 INFECTIONS). Then I contacted him and explained everything to him, and he prepared a herbal medicine for me that cured my (HSV-1&2) disease totally after taking his herbal medicine as instructed. I'm so happy and glad that I'm back to normal again. So viewers why waiting and being in pain when there's someone like Dr Ogudugu that cured different diseases. So contact him via https://droguduguherbs.online or email : greatogudugu@gmail.com or WhatsApp him +2348063739701.,,THANKS

    ReplyDelete
  3. i never believed on herbal medication until i confirmed my self from a doctor who cured me from my HPV a man called doctor ONUWA made me to understand and believe on herbal medication few months ago i contacted him on facebook to give it a try if i will be cured from this virus called Herps virus and he told me to purchase some items which he would us to prepare the herbal medication and i purchased the items and he sent it to me through the Ups delivery service and he told me i was going to take the medication for 2 weeks and 3 days the next week of it i went for a test and confirmed negative once again thank you doctor ONUWA and you can contact him on is EMAIL dronuwa2@gmail.com and him whats-app number +2348115914591 he can cure a lot of disease

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am FRED and i want quickly recommend DR NCUBE for a Job well done by
    curing me from the genital herpes disease that have be giving me sleepless night. if you want to contact him, Simply do that via email drncube03@gmail.com or
    call/whatsapp +2348155227532
    he also have #herbs for
    #hiv/aids
    #cancerdisease
    #fibroid
    #diabetes






    I am FRED and i want quickly recommend DR NCUBE for a Job well done by
    curing me from the genital herpes disease that have be giving me sleepless night. if you want to contact him, Simply do that via email drncube03@gmail.com or
    call/whatsapp +2348155227532
    he also have #herbs for
    #hiv/aids
    #cancerdisease
    #fibroid
    #diabetes

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have been using this herbal cure remedy for 3 months now. So far, it has cured my HEPATITIS B, eliminated my COLD SORE, improved energy and metabolism, in the morning I feel recharged and I no longer feel sleepy after a meal. As for the scent, it does smell like motor oil but I chase it down with 100% Cranberry Juice 1tsp. twice a day AFTER a meal. I also experienced vivid dreams for about 5 days now it’s diminishing to during the first 2 or 3 hours of sleep . contact : EMAIL..DR. PATRICK realspellhome883@gmail.com or call /whatsapp +2348055990934. you can get the cure from him and be free from all kinds of diseases ..
    herpes ,cancer ,HIV aid ,bad breath etc.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I was having Herpes Simplex Virus then i came across a review of people saying that they got treated from Herpes Simplex Virus by DR ISIKOLO, So i gave a try by contacting him through his email and explain my problem to him. He told me all the things I need to do and also give me instructions to take, which I followed properly. Before I knew what is happening after two weeks the HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS that was in my body got vanished . so if you are also heart broken by any deadly diseases like HERPES, HIV and other complicated diseases, shingles, low sperm count or bringing back your ex lover, this great man is extremely the best in which I have seen and applauds and if you also need a help, you can also email him via Email: isikolosolutionhome@gmail.com You can also WhatsApp him on +1(725)240-4536 

    ReplyDelete
  7. HOW I GOT CURED FROM HEPATITIS .
        It's a pleasure for me to write on this Site about how I was completely Cured from HEPATITIS. I have been reading so many comments of some people who were cured from various diseases by Best Dr. Alabi , but I never believed them. I was hurt and depressed so I was too curious and wanted to try Dr. Alabi, then I contacted him through his Whatsapp number. +2348155011610 When I contacted him, he assured me 100% that he will heal me, i pleaded with him to help me out.   My treatment was a great success, he healed me just as he promised. He sent me his herbal medicines and asked me to go for a check up after 19 days of taking the medication. I agreed with him. I took this medication and went for a check up after 19 days of the treatment, To my greatest surprise my result came out  negative after the treatment, I'm very happy that I was cured and healthy again. I waited for 3 weeks to be very sure if I was completely healed before writing this testimony.    I did another blood test one week ago and it was still negative. so i guess it's time i recommend anyone going through Hepatitis, to Contact this great Dr. through his Email: bestherbalcure@gmail.com Or add him up on whatsApp  +2348155011610 Thanks To Best Doctor Alabi...  

    ReplyDelete
  8. Herbal treatment is 100% guaranteed for HSV cure, the reason why most people are finding it difficult to cure HSV is because they believe in medical reports, drugs and medical treatment which is not helpful to cure HSV. Natural roots/herbs are the best remedy which can easily eradicate herpes forever. i never thought i could ever get cured of herpes not until i met dr Okhai, i have used several drugs up to no avail, the symptoms keeps increasing at a certain time i couldn't seat in public with people the itching was much that it became embarrassing . My story changed when I came across dr OKhai herbal post online. At first I was scared not to fall victim again because several fake herbal doctors had collected money from me and nothing happened. I didn't even see the herbal medicine nor did I get cured. So i summoned courage and i contacted him and within 4 days i receive the herbal medicine, prescription on how to use it was in it , i used it as prescribed for 18days and after 2days i went for test and herpes was no more, im so happy for the past 3yrs i have been living in pains. please if you are still out there suffering from herpes or any other form of infection i indulge you to contact dr Okhai and be healed so you can live your normal life again. You can reach him on drokhaiherbalhome@gmail.com or whatsapp ;+2347017709481

    ReplyDelete
  9. Herbal treatment is 100% guaranteed for HSV cure, the reason why most people are finding it difficult to cure HSV is because they believe in medical reports, drugs and medical treatment which is not helpful to cure HSV. Natural roots/herbs are the best remedy which can easily eradicate herpes forever. i never thought i could ever get cured of herpes not until i met dr Okhai, i have used several drugs up to no avail, the symptoms keeps increasing at a certain time i couldn't seat in public with people the itching was much that it became embarrassing . My story changed when I came across dr OKhai herbal post online. At first I was scared not to fall victim again because several fake herbal doctors had collected money from me and nothing happened. I didn't even see the herbal medicine nor did I get cured. So i summoned courage and i contacted him and within 4 days i receive the herbal medicine, prescription on how to use it was in it , i used it as prescribed for 18days and after 2days i went for test and herpes was no more, im so happy for the past 3yrs i have been living in pains. please if you are still out there suffering from herpes or any other form of infection i indulge you to contact dr Okhai and be healed so you can live your normal life again. You can reach him on drokhaiherbalhome@gmail.com or whatsapp ;+2347017709481

    ReplyDelete
  10. Good day everyone,my name is Crystal I am here to testify about the doctor I meet online who help me in saving my marriage which has already collapse. I meet him online and his name is Dr AKHIGBE he told me not to worry about my husband that I should trust him that my husband is going to come back to me within 48hours which I did, now I am happy once again because my husband is here right beside me we are happy together again I want to say doctor God bless you abundantly amen. you can reach him via +2349021374574 or email him on  drakhigbespellhome7@gmail.com. Thank you all, he said he also cure any kind of diseases you can reach him too for more details.  

    ReplyDelete
  11. There is a great herbal man called Dr voodoo who can cure Hepatitis B virus and other deadly diseases with the use of natural herbs to cure Hepatitis B virus problems. He is from Africa and he is a great doctor and he can also cure you as well if you are have the problem And other deadly disease and here is email address voodoospelltemple66@gmail.com or Whatsapp +2348140120719 HERPES CURE,CANCER CURE,HIV/AIDS CURE,HPV CURE

    ReplyDelete
  12. HOW I GOT RID OF HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS BY DR VOODOO

    I want to inform the public how I was cured of herpes simplex Virus by a herbal Dr called VOODOO. I visited different hospitals but they gave me a list of drugs like Famvir, Zovirax, and Valtrex which are very expensive to treat the symptoms and never cured me. I was browsing through the Internet searching for remedies on Herpes and I saw comments of people talking about how dr VOODOO cured them. I Was scared because I never believed in the Internet but I was convinced to give him a try because I had no hope of being cured of herpes so I decided to contact him on his email, i searched his email on the net and I saw a lot of people testifying about his goodness. When I contacted him he gave me hope and sent a Herbal medicine to me that I took and it seriously worked for me, am a free person now without any problems, my HERPES result came out negative. You can contact him on his what - sapp via +2348140120719 or email voodoospelltemple66@gmail.com and get all your problems solved.

    ReplyDelete

Colman Domingo in RUSTIN

In the first ten minutes of Steven Spielberg's LINCOLN, we see Daniel Day-Lewis as Abraham Lincoln talking to two Black soldiers on a Ci...