Rated: PG

Genre: Romance, Comedy, Musical

Release Date: 13 February 1957

Runtime: 103 min

Director: Stanley Donen

Cast: Audrey Hepburn, Fred Astaire, Kay Thompson, Michel Auclair, Robert Flemyng

In Funny Face a fashion photographer Dick Avery (Fred Astaire), is in search for an intellectual backdrop for an air-headed model, the photography team discovers a quaint Greenwich Village bookstore. When the photo session is over the store is left in a shambles, much to salesgirl Jo Stockton’s (Audrey Hepburn) dismay. Avery stays behind to help her clean up. Later, he examines the photos taken there and sees Jo in the background of one shot. He is intrigued by her unique appearance, as is Maggie Prescott (Kay Thompson, the editor of a leading fashion magazine. They offer Jo a modeling contract, which she reluctantly accepts only because it includes a trip to Paris. Eventually, her snobbish attitude toward the job softens, and Jo begins to enjoy the work and the company of her handsome photographer.

I cannot get over Audrey Hepburn.  She is absolutely stunning, graceful, has an amazing accent, and just fits whatever role she is tossed into. As for Fred Astaire he is a star through and through, always impressing with his dance skills and amazing singing. I cannot recall the number of times I have seen this film, and although not the best Hepburn out there I am still a fan of the songs and of the story. The only disappointment is that when you put together these two super stars of the 50s on screen together you would have expected a little bit more magic.

Hepburn never had formal training in acting, singing or dancing. Her lack in dance skills is pretty clear in this film. As she dances with her co-stars you can see the difference in level of dance expertise. However credit must be given to Hepburn, it could not have been easy to dance next to the great Astaire.

carole Comedy, Music, Romance