Style: Romantic Crime Comedy
Director: William Wyler
Synopsis: In Paris, Nicole Bonnet (Audrey Hepburn) is unable to persuade her father Charles (Hugh Griffith), a grasp forger, that he ought to cease creating and advertising and marketing faux variations of traditional artwork items. Charles lends a faux “Cellini” Venus statue for the centrepiece show at a museum exhibition, whereas Nicole and complex artwork thief Simon Dermott (Peter O’Toole) begin a romance after she catches him within the act. When Nicole learns the Venus could also be inspected and uncovered as a faux, she tries to persuade Simon to steal it from the heavily-guarded museum.
What Works Effectively: This subtle and shiny heist romance and comedy is an efficient automobile for trend icon Audrey Hepburn to mannequin a succession of stylish Paris-inspired outfits. She additionally brings a wide-eyed sparkle to the position of a daughter exasperated by her eccentric father’s obsessive interest, and mesmerized by a suave gentleman thief headquartered on the Ritz Resort. The second half is concentrated on improvised heist mechanics that includes a tiny broom closet and the deft exploitation of the human situation to counter subtle expertise. The script is often witty but in addition leans on theatricality, whereas French actor Moustache contributes just a few nice comedian moments as a member of the museum guard staff.
What Does Not Work As Effectively: The primary hour is gradual and ponderous, director William Wyler unnecessarily prolonging character introductions and dawdling on litter, and Nicole’s repeated use of “Papa” in her conversations along with her father reaching fingernails-on-chalkboard ranges of irritation. The romance ignites with nothing greater than kiss, the delicate twist associated to O’Toole’s position is telegraphed effectively upfront, and Eli Wallach by no means finds traction as an under-scoped artwork collector.
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