Ode to The Audrey
Today marks the 88th anniversary of the birth of Audrey Hepburn, on May 4, 1929 in Brussels, Belgium. She passed away on January 20, 1993.
Audrey Hepburn to me is a beacon of inspirational light. She was not just a movie star: she lived through World War II, fighting the Nazis with the Dutch Resistance by carrying messages and putting on secret dance concerts in order to raise funds, and came close to starvation prior to liberation by the Allies. She gave up stardom in order to be the best mother she could; she put her family and other first, before her own agenda. She dedicated her final years to UNICEF, traveling to struggling countries such as Somalia to raise awareness of starving children's plight. She used the fame she was blessed with to do good and change her world. She was not traditionally beautiful, never thought she was attractive, and created a whole new genre of fashion for unconventional beauties. She remained humble while in the public eye, maintained a polite attitude, and strove for kindness.
"As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others." -Audrey Hepburn
One of the things about Audrey Hepburn which especially makes me relate to her is her love for dance. Few people know that Audrey's first dream was to become a prima ballerina. However, she, like me, started too late, was too tall, etc. She had talent, but the consequences of the malnutrition she experienced during the war ultimately resulted in the realization that she could never become the dancer she wanted to be. She would never be able to achieve her dream.
Audrey didn't want to be an actress, she wanted to be a dancer, but she was the greatest example of things not working out the way in which one plans, but working out nevertheless for that one's benefit. She started out seeking a career in dance, but landed in film and acting, and did more good for the world than she could have ever imagined while a ballet student in a studio. Personally, I believe she is a testament to the plan of our omnipotent Heavenly Father, who knows how far we can go and sometimes forces us down a different path in order for us to go the distance.
Audrey valued family and people above ambitions or clothes or money. As she said, "people, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone."
In celebration of this incredible woman's life and work, I am releasing my [almost] definitive ranking of Hepburn's major motion pictures (two or three films have been omitted because I have not yet found a way to view them):
1. Roman Holiday: Audrey's breakthrough film, and her best. Sadly, they just don't make movies of this caliber anymore.
2. Wait Until Dark: A thriller. I consider Audrey's portrayal of a blind woman in this film to be her best-ever acting performance,
3. The Children's Hour: Extremely moving and provocative.
4. My Fair Lady: So fun! The costumes and music (although Audrey's songs were dubbed) are delightful. Her cockney Eliza is SO GREAT! She is just the cutest, most talented thing.
5. How to Steal a Million: Very witty, and Hepburn's chemistry with her co-star Peter O'Toole is wonderful.
6. Two for the Road: A little bit depressing, but one of my comfort films. My mom doesn't understand why I like it, but I love it. Again, the chemistry between the leads is brilliant.
7. War and Peace: The only thing that really gets to me about this adaptation is the fact that the majority of the actors are very very American...pretending to be Russian...
8. Charade: Intrigue, murder, espionage, romance, mystery, Cary Grant, Paris...what more is there? However, Grant's character can become a little tedious as he switches identities every other scene.
9. Sabrina: Love everything about this movie, except for the casting of Humphrey Bogart. He wasn't a fan of this film and it shows. I am slightly creeped out by Linus's pursuit of Sabrina.
10. Love in the Afternoon: Again, the co-star bothers me, because (as is a common complaint concerning Hepburn projects) he is MUCH older than her. But it is a sweet love story, and the movie's intro is my absolute favorite.
11. Breakfast at Tiffany's: Audrey's most famous movie, but not my favorite. She plays the character very well, but I am simply not the biggest fan of the story line-- it is extremely confusing the first time. Still, this is one of my comfort films.
12. The Nun's Story: Very impressive acting. Based on a true story, Audrey plays a nun struggling to overcome her faults. From what I have read, the movie stays true to the reality of Catholicism and the lives of real nuns (but I'm not Catholic so I don't know for sure).
13. Robin and Marian: The beginning is very slow, but I love the parts with Audrey, she plays a spunky and headstrong Marian. Other than Audrey's scenes, however, I found the film to be dry. But Sean Connery is in it. But he's old.
14. Funny Face: It's a musical! And Audrey gets to do her own singing! And [old, again] Fred Astaire is in it! The music and dancing, I love. The plot...rather shallow. Not much character development.
15. Paris When It Sizzles: Kind of crap. SO badly written. (And Audrey knew it, too, but she had to make the movie because of her contract with Paramount.) She did her best, but there's only so much you can do with the stapled packet of garbage which was that script. And yet I have watched it two times of my own free will. Okay, I did like Tony Curtis in the film. A lot. He was very funny. But that vampire scene...?
16. Green Mansions: Directed by Audrey's first husband, Audrey was cute in the movie, but it didn't really make sense. Again, white Americans playing ethnic characters.
"I was born with an enormous need for affection, and a terrible need to give it." -Audrey Hepburn.
Thank you, Audrey, for everything you gave us. One day post-life, I hope to be able to thank you in person.
P.S. According to familysearch.org, I am supposedly related to Audrey Hepburn and her mother through a common ancestor. 11th cousin twice removed.
Audrey Hepburn to me is a beacon of inspirational light. She was not just a movie star: she lived through World War II, fighting the Nazis with the Dutch Resistance by carrying messages and putting on secret dance concerts in order to raise funds, and came close to starvation prior to liberation by the Allies. She gave up stardom in order to be the best mother she could; she put her family and other first, before her own agenda. She dedicated her final years to UNICEF, traveling to struggling countries such as Somalia to raise awareness of starving children's plight. She used the fame she was blessed with to do good and change her world. She was not traditionally beautiful, never thought she was attractive, and created a whole new genre of fashion for unconventional beauties. She remained humble while in the public eye, maintained a polite attitude, and strove for kindness.
"As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others." -Audrey Hepburn
One of the things about Audrey Hepburn which especially makes me relate to her is her love for dance. Few people know that Audrey's first dream was to become a prima ballerina. However, she, like me, started too late, was too tall, etc. She had talent, but the consequences of the malnutrition she experienced during the war ultimately resulted in the realization that she could never become the dancer she wanted to be. She would never be able to achieve her dream.
Audrey didn't want to be an actress, she wanted to be a dancer, but she was the greatest example of things not working out the way in which one plans, but working out nevertheless for that one's benefit. She started out seeking a career in dance, but landed in film and acting, and did more good for the world than she could have ever imagined while a ballet student in a studio. Personally, I believe she is a testament to the plan of our omnipotent Heavenly Father, who knows how far we can go and sometimes forces us down a different path in order for us to go the distance.
Audrey valued family and people above ambitions or clothes or money. As she said, "people, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone."
***
In celebration of this incredible woman's life and work, I am releasing my [almost] definitive ranking of Hepburn's major motion pictures (two or three films have been omitted because I have not yet found a way to view them):
1. Roman Holiday: Audrey's breakthrough film, and her best. Sadly, they just don't make movies of this caliber anymore.
2. Wait Until Dark: A thriller. I consider Audrey's portrayal of a blind woman in this film to be her best-ever acting performance,
3. The Children's Hour: Extremely moving and provocative.
4. My Fair Lady: So fun! The costumes and music (although Audrey's songs were dubbed) are delightful. Her cockney Eliza is SO GREAT! She is just the cutest, most talented thing.
5. How to Steal a Million: Very witty, and Hepburn's chemistry with her co-star Peter O'Toole is wonderful.
6. Two for the Road: A little bit depressing, but one of my comfort films. My mom doesn't understand why I like it, but I love it. Again, the chemistry between the leads is brilliant.
7. War and Peace: The only thing that really gets to me about this adaptation is the fact that the majority of the actors are very very American...pretending to be Russian...
8. Charade: Intrigue, murder, espionage, romance, mystery, Cary Grant, Paris...what more is there? However, Grant's character can become a little tedious as he switches identities every other scene.
9. Sabrina: Love everything about this movie, except for the casting of Humphrey Bogart. He wasn't a fan of this film and it shows. I am slightly creeped out by Linus's pursuit of Sabrina.
10. Love in the Afternoon: Again, the co-star bothers me, because (as is a common complaint concerning Hepburn projects) he is MUCH older than her. But it is a sweet love story, and the movie's intro is my absolute favorite.
11. Breakfast at Tiffany's: Audrey's most famous movie, but not my favorite. She plays the character very well, but I am simply not the biggest fan of the story line-- it is extremely confusing the first time. Still, this is one of my comfort films.
12. The Nun's Story: Very impressive acting. Based on a true story, Audrey plays a nun struggling to overcome her faults. From what I have read, the movie stays true to the reality of Catholicism and the lives of real nuns (but I'm not Catholic so I don't know for sure).
13. Robin and Marian: The beginning is very slow, but I love the parts with Audrey, she plays a spunky and headstrong Marian. Other than Audrey's scenes, however, I found the film to be dry. But Sean Connery is in it. But he's old.
14. Funny Face: It's a musical! And Audrey gets to do her own singing! And [old, again] Fred Astaire is in it! The music and dancing, I love. The plot...rather shallow. Not much character development.
15. Paris When It Sizzles: Kind of crap. SO badly written. (And Audrey knew it, too, but she had to make the movie because of her contract with Paramount.) She did her best, but there's only so much you can do with the stapled packet of garbage which was that script. And yet I have watched it two times of my own free will. Okay, I did like Tony Curtis in the film. A lot. He was very funny. But that vampire scene...?
16. Green Mansions: Directed by Audrey's first husband, Audrey was cute in the movie, but it didn't really make sense. Again, white Americans playing ethnic characters.
"I was born with an enormous need for affection, and a terrible need to give it." -Audrey Hepburn.
Thank you, Audrey, for everything you gave us. One day post-life, I hope to be able to thank you in person.
***
P.S. According to familysearch.org, I am supposedly related to Audrey Hepburn and her mother through a common ancestor. 11th cousin twice removed.
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