Sophia Mitchell
Breakfast at Tiffany's is a 1961 American romantic comedy film starring Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard, Patricia Neal, Buddy Ebsen, Martin Balsam, and Mickey Rooney. The film is based on Truman Capote's 1958 novella of the same name and follows the story of a young woman in New York City who meets a young writer when he moves into her apartment building. Despite some criticisms, Breakfast at Tiffany's was a commercial success, grossing $14 million on a $2.5 million budget and receiving generally positive reviews from critics, with an average score of 7.5/10 on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 77/100. The film has become known for its aesthetic appeal, with Hepburn's iconic fashion choices and the glamorous setting of 1960s New York, as well as its memorable musical score and songs, including the Oscar-winning Moon River. However, it has also been criticised for perpetuating harmful societal biases, including outdated gender roles and racist depictions of East Asians.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Genre | Romantic comedy |
| Year of release | 1961 |
| Director | Blake Edwards |
| Screenplay writer | George Axelrod |
| Story based on | Truman Capote's 1958 novella |
| Starring | Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard, Patricia Neal, Buddy Ebsen, Martin Balsam, Mickey Rooney |
| Budget | $2.5 million |
| Gross revenue | $14 million |
| Rotten Tomatoes score | 88% |
| Rotten Tomatoes average score | 7.5/10 |
| Metacritic score | 77/100 |
| Hepburn's character | Holly Golightly |
| Peppard's character | Paul Varjak |
| Hepburn's iconic dress colour | Black |
| Composer | Mancini |
| Oscar-winning song | Moon River |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Breakfast at Tiffany's is a classic
"Breakfast at Tiffany's" is a classic romantic comedy film that has left an indelible mark on popular culture. Released in 1961, it was directed by Blake Edwards and based on Truman Capote's 1958 novella of the same name. The film centres on Holly Golightly, a naïve, eccentric socialite played by Audrey Hepburn, who meets a struggling writer, Paul Varjak, when he moves into her apartment building.
The film is considered a classic for several reasons. Firstly, it is visually iconic. Hepburn's portrayal of Holly Golightly, with her little black dress, pearls, large sunglasses, and oversized cigarette holder, has become synonymous with the character and is deeply ingrained in popular culture. The film's aesthetic, including the glamorous costumes and jewellery from Tiffany & Co., continues to captivate audiences.
Secondly, the film features memorable performances by Hepburn and the rest of the cast, including George Peppard, Patricia Neal, and Buddy Ebsen. Hepburn's performance, in particular, received rave reviews and is considered one of her most memorable and identifiable roles. Her portrayal of Holly Golightly set a standard for Hollywood leading ladies and influenced her later roles.
Thirdly, the film has several memorable scenes and moments. One notable scene is Hepburn's plaintive singing of the Oscar-winning song "Moon River" by Henry Mancini, which has become closely associated with the film. Another memorable scene is the wacky party sequence, which includes a tipsy guest collapsing and the cry of "Timber!".
However, it is important to acknowledge that "Breakfast at Tiffany's" has also been criticised for reflecting the harmful societal biases of the time, particularly in its portrayal of gender and racial stereotypes. I. Y. Yunioshi, Holly's Japanese neighbour, is played by a white actor in yellowface makeup, reinforcing negative stereotypes and providing comedic relief at the expense of his race. Despite these problematic aspects, the film remains a classic in the romantic comedy genre, showcasing the glitz and glamour of 1960s Hollywood and continuing to captivate audiences decades after its release.
Premier Inn Breakfast: What's on the Menu?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Hepburn's performance as Holly Golightly
Audrey Hepburn's performance as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany's is considered one of the most iconic performances in film history. Hepburn's interpretation of Holly was more sophisticated and restrained than Truman Capote's original vision in his 1958 novella, but it resonated deeply with audiences. Hepburn's Holly has a timeless allure that continues to captivate viewers.
Hepburn's performance received rave reviews, and the film grossed $14 million worldwide on a $2.5 million budget. Breakfast at Tiffany's received critical acclaim for its music and Hepburn's style and performance, receiving five Academy Award nominations, including Best Actress for Hepburn, and winning two (Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture and Best Song for Mancini). On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an 88% positive rating, with an average score of 7.5/10. Metacritic gave the film a score of 77 out of 100, indicating "generally favourable" reviews.
Richard Corliss of Time emphasised the level of Hepburn's performance, stating: "Breakfast at Tiffany's set Hepburn on her Hollywood course". Corliss argued that Hepburn's performance in the film influenced her later roles. Time also noted that Hepburn's portrayal was "not much different from Capote's [character]. She has kicked the weed but she is still jolly Holly who runs away to find some of the finer things in life".
There were parallels between Hepburn's life and Holly Golightly's backstory. Before becoming a socialite in New York City, Holly had a difficult childhood in Texas. Hepburn's youth was also traumatic. During World War II, Hepburn's Dutch mother took her from England to Holland, where they experienced the Nazi invasion of Holland in 1940. To protect herself from German occupying forces, Hepburn lived under the name Edda van Heemstra.
Wendy's Breakfast Hours: When Does It End?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Breakfast at Tiffany's (50th Anniversary Edition) [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81cBwfZ+o+L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
The film's aesthetic and costume design
Breakfast at Tiffany's is a 1961 American romantic comedy film starring Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard, Patricia Neal, Buddy Ebsen, Martin Balsam, and Mickey Rooney. The film is based on the 1958 novella of the same name by Truman Capote and tells the story of Holly Golightly (Hepburn), a naïve, eccentric socialite who meets Paul Varjak (Peppard), a struggling writer who moves into her apartment building.
The little black dress designed by Hubert de Givenchy and worn by Hepburn in the film has become one of the most iconic fashion moments in cinematic history. The sleeveless black dress adorned with pearls epitomised understated elegance and timeless sophistication. The dress became synonymous with Hepburn's style and influenced contemporary fashion, with designers continually reinventing and reinterpreting the classic silhouette.
In addition to the little black dress, Hepburn's wardrobe in the film included a range of 1960s cocktail dresses, casual outfits, and trench coats. Her collection of black cocktail dresses by Givenchy were accessorised with statement jewellery, pearls, and dramatic hats. Hepburn's key fashion accessories also included black kitten heels, ballet flats, and the voluminous "Audrey chignon," a classic French twist with shimmering blonde highlights.
The film also contributed to the popularisation of the glamorous New York City aesthetic. Set against the backdrop of the city's bustling streets and iconic landmarks, Breakfast at Tiffany's captured the allure of urban sophistication and cosmopolitan living. Holly Golightly's fashionable lifestyle and glamorous social circle epitomised the aspirational allure of New York City, inspiring audiences worldwide and solidifying the city's status as a global fashion capital.
Breakfast in the Classroom: How Does it Work?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The film's portrayal of racial stereotypes
Breakfast at Tiffany's, the 1961 American romantic comedy, has been criticised for its portrayal of racial stereotypes. The character I. Y. Yunioshi, Holly's Japanese neighbour, has been labelled a caricature of a Japanese man. Played by a white actor, Mickey Rooney, in yellowface makeup, Yunioshi's character has been described as a "bucktoothed, myopic Japanese" and an "offensive ethnic caricature". The comedy in the film often comes at the expense of his race, with Yunioshi speaking in a heavy accent and using exaggerated facial expressions.
The film's promotional materials also contributed to the racist depiction of East Asians. Paramount Pictures' press releases from 1960 did not disclose that Rooney would be playing Yunioshi. Instead, they stated that an upcoming Japanese comedian named "Ohayo Arigatou" ("hello" and "thank you" in Japanese) would play the character. Other press releases featured false quotes, written in phonetically broken English, attributed to the fake comedian.
The portrayal of Yunioshi has been criticised for reinforcing negative stereotypes and dehumanising Japanese people. It has been referenced in other films, such as Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story (1993), as an example of Hollywood's racist attitudes towards Asians.
While some viewers find the character's portrayal off-putting, others argue that its blatant racism serves as a reminder of the discriminatory stereotypes prevalent in the era and prompts a discussion about Hollywood's historical treatment of race.
Despite the criticism, Breakfast at Tiffany's remains a popular and iconic film, with Audrey Hepburn's performance as Holly Golightly receiving particular acclaim. The film grossed $14 million on a $2.5 million budget, and Hepburn's portrayal of Holly is considered one of her most memorable and identifiable roles.
Mirage Hotel Breakfast Buffet: A Delicious Morning Feast
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The film's commercial success
Breakfast at Tiffany's, the 1961 American romantic comedy film, was a commercial success. With a budget of $2.5 million, the film grossed $14 million. The film received positive reviews from critics, with an average score of 7.5/10 on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 77/100 on Metacritic, indicating "generally favourable" reviews. The film's success can be attributed to several factors, including its memorable moments, aesthetics, and performances by the cast.
The film features several memorable moments, including a sequence of Hepburn and Peppard doing things they've never done before, such as Hepburn sitting on a fire escape and plaintively singing the Oscar-winning song "Moon River". The song is used throughout the film and has become closely associated with it. Another memorable scene is a wacky party sequence in which a tipsy guest begins to collapse, prompting the cry of "Timber!". The film also includes a surprising frankness, for its time, regarding the relationship between Peppard and Neal's characters.
The aesthetics of the film also contributed to its success. Hepburn's iconic little black dress, pearls, and large sunglasses have become synonymous with the protagonist, Holly Golightly. The film's portrayal of high culture, wealth, and the glamorous lifestyle of New York City in the 1960s also added to its appeal.
The performances by the cast, particularly Hepburn and Peppard, were widely praised. Hepburn's portrayal of Holly Golightly, a naïve, eccentric socialite, is considered one of her most memorable and identifiable roles. Her performance received rave reviews, with critics highlighting her ability to capture the contradictions and complexities of the character. Peppard's performance as the struggling writer Paul Varjak was also well-received, with critics noting the chemistry and genuine affection between the two lead characters.
Despite the film's commercial success, it has also been criticised for its portrayal of societal biases, including outdated gender roles and racial stereotypes. I. Y. Yunioshi, Holly's Japanese neighbour, is played by a white actor in yellowface makeup, reinforcing negative stereotypes and providing comedic relief at the expense of his race.
Breakfast at Tiffany's: Audrey Hepburn's Age and Iconic Role
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Breakfast at Tiffany's is a popular and iconic romantic comedy film. It was a commercial success, grossing $14 million on a $2.5 million budget.
Breakfast at Tiffany's is popular due to its aesthetic appeal, glamorous setting, and Audrey Hepburn's performance as Holly Golightly, which is considered one of her most memorable and identifiable roles. The film's soundtrack and costumes have also contributed to its popularity.
Breakfast at Tiffany's has been criticised for perpetuating harmful societal biases, including outdated gender roles and racist stereotypes. Mickey Rooney's portrayal of I.Y. Yunioshi, a Japanese man, has been labelled as a racist caricature.
Yes, Breakfast at Tiffany's is based on the 1958 novella by Truman Capote. The screenplay was written by George Axelrod and directed by Blake Edwards.
