Audrey Hepburn fans can enjoy this film if they are willing to keep an open mind, consider it is made for television and remember there is only one Audrey. Even considering the difficulty of the task, Jennifer Love Hewitt is far from convincing as Audrey Hepburn. The problem goes beyond Hewitt's struggle with the accent and different appearance (smaller eyes, larger breast and pointy nose). Jennifer Hewitt simply fails to capture Audrey's charm, playfulness and grace. There is the occasional scene when one sees a glimpse of Audrey such as when she is receiving direction from the writer Colette. Unfortunately, these scenes are few and far between. I would have preferred to see Calista Flockhart or Gwyneth Paltrow (assuming Paltrow would consider a TV movie) try the role.
There are some enjoyable aspects to the film. It was interesting to see Hepburn's childhood and early life dramatized. Hepburn's mother was portrayed with depth and sensitivity. Ironically, the actor playing William Holden ('Sabrina') looked, sounded and acted like George Peppard ('Breakfast at Tiffany's') -a missed opportunity. We also get a nice view of the love and frustration she experiences in her dance career and learn a great deal about her marriage with Mel Ferrer. Some of the scenes are touching, Audrey in Africa meeting the real Sister Luke from ' A Nuns Story', the parting with her father and the scenes with her mother.
Unfortunately, most of the characters fall flat and the film trudges along as Audrey parts with lovers and eventually her father. The film would benefit from some quick cuts and lighter moments. There are also some strange omissions including any mention of 'War and Peace' -the only film featuring Audrey with her husband at the time Mel Ferrer. There is no mention of her Tony award for Gigi (Hepburn's one of the few to win both awards in the same year), her other academy nominations or her later films. The film essentially ends with the filming of 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' so little is told about Audrey's later life. We learn nothing of her second marriage with Dr. Andrea Dotti, her two divorces, her relationship with her children, or her other love interests. It would have been especially touching and inspiring to see a portrayal of her struggle with cancer and her work with UNICEF. What is covered is worth a look if you are a fan of Audrey Hepburn and know little about her life. Afterwards, you will have to watch one of Audrey's films, to experience her true playfulness, charm and grace.
There are some enjoyable aspects to the film. It was interesting to see Hepburn's childhood and early life dramatized. Hepburn's mother was portrayed with depth and sensitivity. Ironically, the actor playing William Holden ('Sabrina') looked, sounded and acted like George Peppard ('Breakfast at Tiffany's') -a missed opportunity. We also get a nice view of the love and frustration she experiences in her dance career and learn a great deal about her marriage with Mel Ferrer. Some of the scenes are touching, Audrey in Africa meeting the real Sister Luke from ' A Nuns Story', the parting with her father and the scenes with her mother.
Unfortunately, most of the characters fall flat and the film trudges along as Audrey parts with lovers and eventually her father. The film would benefit from some quick cuts and lighter moments. There are also some strange omissions including any mention of 'War and Peace' -the only film featuring Audrey with her husband at the time Mel Ferrer. There is no mention of her Tony award for Gigi (Hepburn's one of the few to win both awards in the same year), her other academy nominations or her later films. The film essentially ends with the filming of 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' so little is told about Audrey's later life. We learn nothing of her second marriage with Dr. Andrea Dotti, her two divorces, her relationship with her children, or her other love interests. It would have been especially touching and inspiring to see a portrayal of her struggle with cancer and her work with UNICEF. What is covered is worth a look if you are a fan of Audrey Hepburn and know little about her life. Afterwards, you will have to watch one of Audrey's films, to experience her true playfulness, charm and grace.