Roman Holiday - 10 stars out of 10

Roman Holiday - 10 stars out of 10

"Roman Holiday" is classic Audrey Hepburn.  Her refined-yet-curious style is perfect for the role of Princess Anne, bound by her royal duties but desperate to break free and live life.  Her performance is magical and charming, winning her an Oscar for Best Actress.  Although I believe that her performances in "My Fair Lady," "Wait Until Dark," and "Breakfast at Tiffany's" were more deserving of an Oscar, this is still one of her greatest films.  I cringed when she had her hair cut, and somehow she became even cuter.  This is why Audrey is one of my favorites.  As endearing as Hepburn's character is, she requires a boisterous man to provoke her and Gregory Peck is the perfect man for the job.  The setting is wonderful but it is the dialogue and the characters that really make this into something special.  Its perfect blend of comedy, romanticism, and curiosity as to which resolution the story will take makes for an emotional first time watch and a heartwarming second, third, and fifteenth watch.  Simply put, it is one of the greatest chick flicks of all time.  My favorite moment is when Peck puts his hand into the "Mouth of Truth," not warning his co-star ahead of time of his planned visual gag and eliciting a 100% genuine scream from her.  Even better is the chemistry in the 10 seconds that follow that moment, as they laugh about it like two best friends - true love.  The plot is clever and sneaky, Hepburn is cute as a button, and the ending is incredible (although I have never pleaded so hard with the tv not to say "The End"...) - "Roman Holiday" is a perfect portrait of love.