Photo: Roman Holiday still. Retrieved from IMDb.
By Sonia Tao
With Thanksgiving having just passed, I’m thinking of things to do this holiday. And as an inspiration, I’m reminded of a charming little film called Roman Holiday. I stumbled upon it in high school, where I discovered my love of films. Thanks to my mum and my teachers, I was exposed to great classics like Shawshank Redemption, Pretty in Pink, and Dead Poets Society. And it occurred to me that I hadn’t seen many black-and-white films – the only one being To Kill A Mockingbird in my English class. I was already interested in Roman Holiday, but seeing Gregory Peck’s performance in Mockingbird convinced me to see him in Holiday.
Watching Roman Holiday, I was mesmerized from start to finish. I couldn’t take my eyes off of Audrey Hepburn. She lit up the screen with elegance, warmth, and playfulness as Princess Ann. The beautiful city of Rome was just as captivating, with St. Peter’s Square, the Colosseum, and the Spanish Steps making memorable settings. The film’s strength lies in finding beauty in everyday life, which becomes clear as the characters fall in love with their day and with each other.
Directed by William Wyler, starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck in lead roles, Roman Holiday is the story of a sheltered princess’ one-day adventure with an audacious journalist in Rome. Stifled with her royal obligations, Ann runs away for a day to experience a new-found life. She meets Joe and Irwin, an American newsman and photographer. Unbeknownst to the princess, Joe and Irwin agree to spend the day with Ann to sell an exclusive press story. Together, they spent a day in the city, eating gelato, riding a Vespa, and dancing at a boat party. It features superb performances from Hepburn and Peck, witty dialogue, and wonderful pathos.
The film is full of iconic moments, not least of all the famous haircut scene. As Ann explores the city, she realises she may be recognised by officials looking for her. So, she decides to get a spontaneous haircut. The result is a stunning pixie cut that gives Ann the perfect disguise she needs. The spontaneity was so alluring and made me want to try something different. I found myself reaching for the nearest kitchen scissor and I chopped my mid-length hair to a butchered bob. Oh, well.
Luckily, I didn’t try to recreate any other moments from the film. But the experience was transformative, to say the least. Not just physically, but it inspired me to try something new. I tried to embrace this mentality as much as I could during high school. Anything that felt daunting or new, I would throw myself into it. I joined the Yearbook club, did an internship at a local arts shop, and even took a physics course (that was dark). I enjoyed some experiences more than others, but it all helped me figure out who I was and who I wanted to be.
“The film’s strength lies in finding beauty in everyday life, which becomes clear as the characters fall in love with their day and with each other.”
In some ways, I saw myself as Ann. I had a relatively sheltered upbringing, which was by no means a bad thing. I never felt like my parents restrained me from pursuing my interests and endeavours. But I always felt like I could be more courageous in my pursuits. Not like a rebel, but just trying on different hats. In high school, I wanted to be the artistic snob, the erudite physics student, and the hip yearbook designer. I wanted to be all those things, and to some extent, I think I did. It was liberating to step into different characters and see what it felt like to push myself out of my comfort zone, which is exactly what Ann does in the film.
After Ann runs away, she adopts an alter ego of Anya Smith. She gradually sheds her princess demeanor for more playful behaviours. Princess Ann goes on tour, attends conferences, and is obliged to her superiors. Anya rides a Vespa, smokes in an outdoor cafe, and stirs mischief at a boat party. With each new experience, Ann grows in confidence. She finds her voice, which allows her to finally take control of her life.
Joe and Ann’s relationship galvanises the film’s emotional core. At first, I thought it might be a purely vampiric relationship. Joe was in it for the money, and even though he doesn’t seem like a bad guy, he could have just used Ann to get his story. While Ann’s transformation is more salient, Joe also changes as a character. Being with Ann, he can see the world through her eyes, experiencing simple things for the first time. Their relationship humanises him and brings out a tender side that audiences could sympathise with. In him, Ann finds the courage to live the life she wants, even just for a day. In her, Joe finds a renewed curiosity in the world.
“With each new experience, Ann grows in confidence. She finds her voice, which allows her to finally take control of her life.”
This emotional poignancy is crystallised in the ending. After Ann returns home, she holds a press conference to discuss her future plans. There, she sees Joe and Irwin, and realises their true identities. The sequence is composed of several closeups of Ann and Joe, as they exchange tender glances across the room. When one press member asks Ann which city on the tour was most memorable, she hesitates. Her advisor whispers the rehearsed words. Ann starts to follow, but then declares “Rome. By all means, Rome. I will cherish my memories here as long as I live”. This is the moment where Ann takes a stand. She was not the same person as she was twenty-four hours ago. She realises that she may never experience a holiday again. But she can go back to her old life, knowing that she has lived.
It’s beautiful to watch Ann transform from a passive princess into a confident, self-assured woman. With the help of Joe, she discovers what it means to live. Ann’s journey inspired me to embrace new experiences on my horizon. Looking back, I’m so glad I did the things I did in high school. It made me realise that I should not shy away from new experiences. Sometimes, they can be life changing. Even if you decide not to eat gelato, ride a Vespa, or fall in love, I hope you can find some solace in your holiday! Happy holidays.