I have to agree with many of my fellow reviewers...Cooper was just not right for the part. Cary Grant would have been perfect. But Hepburn, and the beautifully shot Paris (the second best character of this film) make a viewing well worth your time.
So, what was with Billy Wilder? I have to look into his bio to review his personal life at the time. "Sabrina" suffered the same miscast pairing with Audrey and Bogart. Undeniably Cooper and Bogart are cinematic legends. But when making a May/December romantic piece, the chemistry has to be believable. I mean seriously, Hepburn falling for Bogart supplanting her lifetime attraction to the incredibly sexy, and younger, William Holden?? Come on Billy!
William Wyler (...how oddly similar to "Billy Wilder"!) got the concept exactly right with "Roman Holiday". Although Gregory Peck's age difference wasn't quite as pronounced as the others above, the chemistry was undeniable. One of the best films ever. Will forever renew my intense love of Rome. And Eddie Albert rounded out the perfect casting, in this order: Hepburn, Peck, Rome, Albert!
So, what was with Billy Wilder? I have to look into his bio to review his personal life at the time. "Sabrina" suffered the same miscast pairing with Audrey and Bogart. Undeniably Cooper and Bogart are cinematic legends. But when making a May/December romantic piece, the chemistry has to be believable. I mean seriously, Hepburn falling for Bogart supplanting her lifetime attraction to the incredibly sexy, and younger, William Holden?? Come on Billy!
William Wyler (...how oddly similar to "Billy Wilder"!) got the concept exactly right with "Roman Holiday". Although Gregory Peck's age difference wasn't quite as pronounced as the others above, the chemistry was undeniable. One of the best films ever. Will forever renew my intense love of Rome. And Eddie Albert rounded out the perfect casting, in this order: Hepburn, Peck, Rome, Albert!