"There once was a very lonely, very frightened girl.
She lived alone except for a nameless cat."
In today's pop culture, Audrey Hepburn is associated with several things: style, elegance, gracefulness. But more than anything, Audrey Hepburn has become synonymous with her 1961 films, Breakfast at Tiffany's. While I personally consider all of Hepburn's films classics, Breakfast at Tiffany's more than any of her other films remains as well-known and beloved as it was when it was first released.
Breakfast at Tiffany's introduced the world to Holly Golightly: a seemingly-carefree, fun-loving, money-driven playgirl of the NYC society. The story follows Holly and her various exploits as seen through the eyes of her gigolo neighbor, Paul Varjak. Both Holly and Paul (nicknamed "Fred" by Holly) are lost souls, or "two drifters" as the film's famous song, "Moon River," recites. They both have dreams of a better life, and have both resigned themselves to seedy monetary arrangements in hopes of making these dreams a reality.
"You know those days when you get the mean reds? ... The blues are because you're getting fat or maybe it's been raining too long; you're just sad, that's all.
The mean reds are horrible: suddenly you're afraid and you don't know what you're afraid of." -Holly Golightly
Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard on set of Breakfast at Tiffany's. Via.
"I'm crazy about Tiffany's." - Holly
While Paul is being kept by an older woman, Holly has an array of benefactors throughout New York's high society. Each night she gets all her drinks and meals paid for, and $50 for the powder room. In exchange, her patron for the evening accompanies her home. Paul and Holly's friendship forms out of their similar circumstances.
"I don't want to owe anything until I find a place where me and things go together. I'm not sure where that is but I know what it's like. It's like Tiffany's...the quiet and proud look of it. Nothing bad could happen to you there." - Holly Golightly
Paul dreams of becoming a successful author, and Holly dreams of finding her own happy place; her own "Tiffany's" for her and her brother who's currently serving in the army. Paul starts to get in the way of those plans, however, when he falls in love with Holly. But Holly is a self-proclaimed "wild thing," who is afraid of being tied down. When she learns her brother is getting out of the army sooner than she thought, Holly quits the field and resigns herself to finding a rich husband who'll be able to provide for her and her brother.
"I'm not Holly and I'm not Lula Mae either. I don't know who I am! I'm like Cat here, a couple of no-name slobs. We belong to nobody and nobody belongs to us. We don't even belong to each other."- Holly
Holly Golightly and the story of Breakfast at Tiffany's originated in Truman Capote short story of the same name. In Capote's story, Holly is much more of a mercenary and unsympathetic. She's also much more promiscuous and sexually-adventurous than the film ever really let's on. Capote always said he envisioned Marilyn Monroe in the part of Holly. At the time of filming however, Monroe wasn't only unavailable, Paramount also wanted to feature one of their own contracted actors.
Director Blake Edwards suggested Audrey Hepburn for the role, however Paramount studio heads were doubtful she would ever accept a role that, in essence, was a hooker. Contrary to their doubts, Hepburn was immediately intrigued by the role; she saw the role of Holly as a chance to take a big step in her career. Prior to Breakfast at Tiffany's Hepburn had portrayed the most moral and conservative of characters: a young princess, the proverbial ugly ducking-turned-swan beauty, and a nun, to name a few. Holly would be a chance for her to play a character that was so unlike herself, it would demonstrate her true acting skills.
Although Capote was never satisfied with Hepburn as Holly, I personally doubt the film would have had as profound of an impact if Monroe or anyone starred in the role of Holly. While Monroe would have definitely brought more raw sexuality to the role, I think Hepburn brought out Holly's heart and vulnerability. On the page, Holly is an anti-heroine; she's more self-centered and cold. Hepburn made her lovable.
My favorite scene of the entire movie: Moon River.
Yes, film Holly is still consumed by the idea of money and at times thoughtless, but Hepburn brings out her humanity as well. Just below the materialistic surface, Hepburn's Holly is lost, lonely, and trying more than anything to make a new life for her and her younger brother. That's the Holly that her neighbor Paul- and the audience- falls in love with. I think most audience members, both now and in 1961, walked out of Breakfast at Tiffany's not even thinking about the fact that Holly Golightly is a hooker; they are too entranced by Hepburn's ever-present charm and elegance to be even connect with her something so immoral and seedy.
You now what's wrong with you, Miss Whoever-You-Are? You're chicken; you've got no guts. You're afraid to stick out your chin and say 'Okay, life's a fact, people do fall in love. People do belong to each other.'
Because that's the only chance anybody's got for real happiness." - Paul
The character of Holly Golightly is only one iconic aspect of Breakfast at Tiffany's. Audrey Hepburn and designer, Hubert de Givenchy, revolutionized fashion with Holly's array of outfits throughout the film. Together Hepburn, Givenchy, and Holly introduced the world to a modern-day fashion staple: the little black dress. Hepburn was always known for the fashion, especially after her designer-muse relationship with Givenchy began. But more than any of her other films, Breakfast at Tiffany's emphasizes the sleek, simple, and modern elegance that sums up Hepburn's style.
One of my favorite outfits in the entire movie. Via.
See 30 secs in to get a glimpse of the famous, Tiffany's Yellow Canary Diamond
While flashy patterns and bold colors commanded the fashion scene in the 1960's, Hepburn showed us that less could- and still can- be more. Solid prints and conservative colors made up Hepburn's look which is what makes it so timeless and classic. While flashy fads come and go, but sleek and simple will always be in style.
"I'll never let anybody put me in a cage." - Holly.
"I don't want to put you in a cage. I want to love you!" - Paul
Breakfast at Tiffany's is well-worth the watch. It was an enjoyably timeless film with both comedic and dramatic scenes. And in addition, it's pop cultural presence warrants at least one viewing. In the end, I think you'll find it impossible not to fall in love with Hepburn's Holly Golightly.
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