Who else is better to play a lovesick and inexperienced girl than Audrey Hepburn. Especially in 1957 when she was actually 28, but looked closer to 18. Unfortunately, her leading man is an aging Gary Cooper who at 56 years old looks more like 70. I don't mind age differences in so much as the characters seem well matched. The pairing of Hepburn and Cooper just wasn't right. Audrey (Ariane) is delightful as always and portrays a naive girl with real panache, grace and style. Poor Cooper (Flanagan) looks like he's about to croak any minute. Cooper looks awkward mostly, but manages to achieve a cute grin and innuendo of playboy. The plot just seems to drag as they both meet every afternoon without him knowing her identity. I felt like, let's get on with it and pick up the pace. But it just drags and meanders as they meet, talk and dance to Flanagan's Gypsy musical quartet. Watching Maurice Chevalier dip his scone in his coffee and then chomping on it was a visual I could have done without. Also, the thought of pretty little Audrey with the aging Cooper gave me the jeeves.
But don't despair, because the ending is very good and as Hepburn (Ariane) runs along side the moving train with tears in her eyes, explaining to Cooper that there will be plenty of boys, it's all too sweet and good.
But don't despair, because the ending is very good and as Hepburn (Ariane) runs along side the moving train with tears in her eyes, explaining to Cooper that there will be plenty of boys, it's all too sweet and good.