Sunday, October 24, 2010

Two for the Road [movie sunday] 1967







Mark Wallace:   "Who are you?"
Joanna Wallace:    "Some girl."
Mark [Albert Finney]:   Darling, what's French for 'Inspector, I don't believe a word you're saying and you're not gonna get a damn penny?' 
Joanna [Audrey Hepburn]:  'Oui, monsieur.' 

I'd like to start a weekly movie sunday post, and figured it would be most appropriate to begin with an Audrey Hepburn classic. I have a special, sort of sentimental love of really good, old movies. My dad's of the generation that listened to the Rat Pack and the Four Seasons, watched old Westerns and Singin' in the Rain and falls asleep to TCM every single night, without fail. 
I know that most girls (maybe not most, but I certainly do) idolize Audrey Hepburn and want to look just like her, but not as many people comment on the way she speaks. I would give anything to have her voice and talk the way she talks.
When Two for the Road first came out, it was considered confusing and choppy the way it jumps around to different times and places, but I completely disagree. The execution is flawless, and the placement of each little vignette perfectly displays the stages of their relationship--first as unlikely hitch-hiking partners, then lovers, then volatile husband and wife--they provide an exquisite juxtaposition of single, carefree life to married, married life. 
In the beginning, she's so naive and eager; he's so "wise" and full of little quips and full of himself. He's arrogant and annoying. Throughout the movie, you love him and you hate him.  


"If there's one thing I really despise, it's an indispensable woman," Mark says--and that's exactly what she is to him, an indispensable woman who always knows where his passport is when he doesn't.



The way that the movie portrays the couple, or love, is so real--it isn't nearly perfect, but in some twisted way it works. 

Mark:    "If you want to live in one half of a suburban shoe box like your parents, you married the wrong man."



Joanna:   "I don't want to live in one half of a suburban shoe box, and I married the wrong man."

They are so in love and then they take each other for granted, he resents being married and having a child. But, despite it all and through everything, they're stuck with each other. In the end I think that's what love really is--knowing that no matter what, no matter how much you can't stand the person you're with, you couldn't live without them.
 


Out of four stars, I give this movie ten.



last lines of the movie:
Mark:    "bitch."
Joanna:    "bastard." 



Audrey playing around on the set between shoots

3 comments:

  1. aww this movie looks so cute! i think i may go rent it. :)
    Have a great Tuesday! :)
    http://koreeunveiled.blogspot.com/

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  2. you should definitely rent this movie--as soon as you can.

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  3. oh man, she is too beautiful for words. seriously. i haven't seen this movie yet but you make it sound so good! might have to hit up netflix here in a few! i have enjoyed catching up on your posts, still lovely and interesting as ever. hope your weekend is great!

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