Sophia Mitchell
Breakfast at Tiffany's is a 1961 romantic comedy-drama film starring Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard, Patricia Neal, Buddy Ebsen, Martin Balsam, and Mickey Rooney. The film, directed by Blake Edwards, is based on Truman Capote's 1958 novella of the same name. It tells the story of Holly Golightly (Hepburn), a naïve and eccentric socialite, who meets Paul Varjak (Peppard), a struggling writer and new tenant in her building. The film features a renowned musical score by Henry Mancini, including the iconic theme song Moon River written by Johnny Mercer. Breakfast at Tiffany's grossed $14 million worldwide and received critical acclaim, with Hepburn's performance considered one of her most memorable and identifiable roles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Genre | Romantic comedy |
| Based on | Truman Capote's novella of the same name |
| Director | Blake Edwards |
| Stars | Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard, Patricia Neal, Buddy Ebsen, Martin Balsam, Mickey Rooney |
| Music composer | Henry Mancini |
| Theme song | "Moon River", written by Johnny Mercer |
| Release date | October 5, 1961 |
| Production company | Paramount Pictures |
| Awards | Best Actress nomination for Hepburn, Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture, Best Song for Mancini |
| Gross revenue | $14 million on a $2.5 million budget |
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What You'll Learn
Critical acclaim and commercial success
Breakfast at Tiffany's, the 1961 American romantic comedy film, was a critical and commercial success. The film was directed by Blake Edwards and starred Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard, Patricia Neal, Buddy Ebsen, Martin Balsam, and Mickey Rooney.
The film received critical acclaim for its music and Hepburn's performance and style. Hepburn's portrayal of Holly Golightly is considered one of her most memorable and identifiable roles. Time magazine noted that Hepburn's portrayal "is 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." Tinee Mae of the Chicago Tribune also gave a positive review, saying, "In the wrong hands, the unconventional, disorganized, sophisticated, innocent, utterly contradictory [lead] character could be a tiresome idiot. Audrey makes her as sweet as she is silly, as appealing as she is affected, a playgirl without scruples, a moth who doesn't quite deserve to die in a flame."
The film was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Hepburn, and won two: Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture and Best Song for Mancini's "Moon River". It received numerous other accolades and was selected to be preserved in the National Film Registry in 2012.
The film was also a commercial success, grossing $14 million on a $2.5 million budget. It was screened at Radio City Music Hall before its theatrical release, where Variety called it "a bright box office contender". On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 88% based on 51 reviews, with an average score of 7.43/10. Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 77 out of 100, based on 13 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.
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The music of Henry Mancini
One of the most iconic pieces from the film is the exquisite "Moon River." It serves as the elegant main title theme and is also presented as a plaintive guitar-and-voice rendition by Audrey Hepburn. "Moon River" has become synonymous with Breakfast at Tiffany's, and its impact extends beyond the film, with numerous artists covering it over the years.
Mancini's talent for melody and emotion shines through in other pieces from the soundtrack as well. "Sally's Tomato" is a dreamy composition that captures a different atmosphere from "Moon River." The score also includes the lively and playful "Something for the Cat," which showcases Mancini's versatility.
The music in Breakfast at Tiffany's also reflects the film's setting and cultural context. "Mr. Yunioshi" delves into Far Eastern exotica, while "Latin Golightly" embraces a south-of-the-border vibe, showcasing the diverse influences that Mancini incorporated into his work.
The collaboration between Mancini and director Blake Edwards was a fruitful one. They had previously worked together on the television show Peter Gunn, and their partnership on Breakfast at Tiffany's resulted in a seamless fusion of image and sound. Mancini's music accentuated the film's most memorable moments, contributing to its critical acclaim and enduring legacy.
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Audrey Hepburn's performance
One of the most notable aspects of Hepburn's performance is her ability to convey a range of emotions with subtle gestures and expressions. Whether it's Holly's playful charm, her moments of sadness, or her determination to reinvent herself, Hepburn communicates these nuances with a simple glance or a slight shift in body language. This subtle acting style adds depth to the character and allows audiences to empathize with Holly's journey.
Hepburn's fashion sense and style in the film have also become iconic. From the little black dress to the oversized sunglasses and pearl necklace, Hepburn's wardrobe in *Breakfast at Tiffany's* defined a generation's sense of fashion and continues to inspire trends today. Hepburn carries off each outfit with effortless grace, making the character of Holly Golightly a style icon for the ages.
Additionally, Hepburn's performance captures the essence of New York in the 1960s. Her interactions with the city, whether it's strolling through Central Park, gazing into the windows of Tiffany & Co., or enjoying a pastry in front of a brownstone, embody the freedom and excitement of living in New York during that era. Hepburn's performance makes the city a character in its own right and showcases the allure and charm of New York City life.
Hepburn's portrayal of Holly Golightly has had a lasting impact on popular culture. The character's unique blend of sophistication, playfulness, and vulnerability has inspired numerous interpretations in film, television, and literature. Hepburn's performance has also contributed to the film's enduring legacy, with *Breakfast at Tiffany's* remaining a beloved classic that continues to captivate audiences of all generations.
In conclusion, Audrey Hepburn's performance in *Breakfast at Tiffany's* is a testament to her talent and star power. Her ability to convey complexity and depth while maintaining a sense of lightness and charm makes her portrayal of Holly Golightly truly unforgettable. Hepburn's performance, along with her iconic fashion sense and embodiment of the New York spirit, has solidified her place in cinematic history and continues to inspire and enchant audiences worldwide.
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Differences from Truman Capote's novella
Truman Capote's novella *Breakfast at Tiffany's* was published in 1958 and adapted into a major motion picture of the same name in 1961. The film was directed by Blake Edwards and starred Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly and George Peppard as the narrator. While the film was a huge success, there are several differences between it and Capote's original novella.
Firstly, the novella's narrator is an aspiring writer with no publications, whereas the film's narrator, Paul, is a published writer in a slump, earning much of his income from an affair with a wealthy older woman. This sets up a parallel between Paul and Holly that does not exist in the novella, where the narrator's feelings are not romantic. In the novella, the narrator does not seem to want anything from Holly, except perhaps to be loved by her, and he is unable to understand her grief.
Another significant difference is the ending. In the film, Holly and Paul fall in love and stay together, whereas in the novella, Holly leaves the United States, and the narrator never finds out what happened to her. Additionally, Holly never becomes pregnant, and there is no mention of Brazil in the novella.
The novella is also set in the 1940s, specifically the Upper East Side of New York City, while the film is transposed to the 1960s. The novella's setting plays a crucial role in the plot, as various wealthy characters from the Upper East Side come in and out of Holly's life.
There are also differences in the cast of secondary characters. Mag Wildwood and Rusty Trawler are less prominent in the film, and Joe Bell and Madame Sapphia Spanella are left out entirely. I.Y. Yunioshi, on the other hand, is more visible and facilitates Holly's arrest, a role that was given to Madame Spanella in the novella.
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The film's controversial elements
The 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany's, based on Truman Capote's novella, has become an iconic piece of American cinema. However, the film has also been criticised for its controversial elements, which reflect the harmful societal biases of the time.
One of the most notable and offensive aspects of the film is the casting of Mickey Rooney, a white actor, as Mr Yunioshi, a Japanese character. Rooney's performance has been described as an "atrocious caricature" involving yellowface makeup, a heavy accent, and exaggerated facial expressions. This portrayal reinforces negative stereotypes and is dehumanising, reflecting Hollywood's lack of regard for authentic representations of people of colour. Both Rooney and director Blake Edwards later expressed regret over the characterisation, with Rooney stating that he was "downright ashamed" of his role.
Another controversial element of the film is its portrayal of the protagonist, Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn). Holly is a young woman who moves to New York City and supports herself by charming wealthy men into giving her money, leading some to interpret her as a sex worker or "call girl". This aspect of the film is often overlooked or misunderstood by audiences, who prefer to view Holly through the romantic lens of the "actress-proto-It-Girl" trope. In reality, Holly is a troubled character with a history of stealing and an ambiguous sexual identity, who becomes entangled in narcotics-based organised crime.
The film also deviates significantly from Capote's original novella, which featured a more provocative version of Holly. The book ends with Holly fleeing New York after being implicated in a drug bust, while her relationship with Paul is platonic rather than romantic. These darker themes were bleached from the film adaptation, possibly to make it more palatable to 1960s audiences.
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Frequently asked questions
Breakfast at Tiffany's is a romantic comedy-drama film about a charismatic socialite and a struggling writer who develop a special relationship. The film is based on Truman Capote's novella of the same name.
Breakfast at Tiffany's stars Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard, Patricia Neal, Buddy Ebsen, Martin Balsam, and Mickey Rooney.
Breakfast at Tiffany's was directed by Blake Edwards.
Breakfast at Tiffany's was released in theatres on October 5, 1961, by Paramount Pictures.
