Hepburn is delightful as the Plain Jane bookstore clerk turned model, in this heartwarming film, directed by the man who brought the likes of Singin' in the Rain and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers to the screen. Having directed these two favourites of mine, I was quite pleased to find a Donen musical that I hadn't previously heard about - on DVD no less. Starring the sweet and charming Audrey Hepburn and the enchanting Fred Astaire, Funny Face is a real treat.
Funny Face is the story of the chance meeting of bookstore clerk Jo and fashion photographer Dick Avery, set amidst a world of fashion, philosophy and love. After their brief encounter in the bookstore where she works, Jo finds herself unexpectedly caught up in the plans of Avery and fashion designer Maggie Prescott, to bring a new look to the fashion world. They find her "funny face" to be a perfect feature for their next project. Through a trip to Paris, and a lot of plot contrivance, the philosophically-minded Jo discovers the love that had been absent from her life.
What makes this film work for me is the lovely score, choreography and acting. Hepburn and Astaire are both splendid, and while not exuding quite enough chemistry between them, they make up for it through song and dance. There are quite a few memorable numbers and sequences to be found, including Hepburn's "Basal Metabolism" dance in a cool-cat bistro. The songs are unforgettable and there is a sweet undertone in the film's mood that offsets the obvious plot obstacles set only to complicate their affair.
Although not as strong as his generally regarded classics, Donen's Funny Face is a more than worthy diversion. Those, like me, who can enjoy a sweet story set to memorable music, and complemented with some marvelous dance sequences, will find this one charming. Classic musicals like these prove that when all the right elements are in place, simple stories can be just as rewarding as the most thoroughly developed.
♥♦♠½ 8/10
© 2007 Kim Bartlett
Funny Face is the story of the chance meeting of bookstore clerk Jo and fashion photographer Dick Avery, set amidst a world of fashion, philosophy and love. After their brief encounter in the bookstore where she works, Jo finds herself unexpectedly caught up in the plans of Avery and fashion designer Maggie Prescott, to bring a new look to the fashion world. They find her "funny face" to be a perfect feature for their next project. Through a trip to Paris, and a lot of plot contrivance, the philosophically-minded Jo discovers the love that had been absent from her life.
What makes this film work for me is the lovely score, choreography and acting. Hepburn and Astaire are both splendid, and while not exuding quite enough chemistry between them, they make up for it through song and dance. There are quite a few memorable numbers and sequences to be found, including Hepburn's "Basal Metabolism" dance in a cool-cat bistro. The songs are unforgettable and there is a sweet undertone in the film's mood that offsets the obvious plot obstacles set only to complicate their affair.
Although not as strong as his generally regarded classics, Donen's Funny Face is a more than worthy diversion. Those, like me, who can enjoy a sweet story set to memorable music, and complemented with some marvelous dance sequences, will find this one charming. Classic musicals like these prove that when all the right elements are in place, simple stories can be just as rewarding as the most thoroughly developed.
♥♦♠½ 8/10
© 2007 Kim Bartlett
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