My Fair Lady

In 1965, My Fair Lady won the Oscar for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and so on and so on until reaching a grand total of eight. It is a grand classical studio picture that was praised, and rightfully so, for cinematography that would alternate between dark, dirty streets and enchanting close-ups of bunches upon bunches of flowers. Its art direction and costume design go from peasantry and drunkard to high society horse races. One of Hollywood's most celebrated actresses, Audrey Hepburn, is the fair lady in question and yet I found it to be one of the most difficult and painful film experiences I've ever had. Perhaps had I been of age at the time I could have connected more with the story but I see no value in a lot of money being spent to tell the tale of rich people using an innocent peasant for sport. Hepburn, a crass flower girl, is plucked from the streets by two educated members of high society to be the subject of a wager. Can a girl with no class be turned into a lady in six weeks? What a fun experiment! In fact, it's so fun that everybody sings and dances to demonstrate just how much fun they're actually having, even the poor! And let me say, I love musicals so it's not that. It just seems in poor taste, especially in today's climate, to dress some people up in garb, throw soot on their faces and make them dance around in the very same streets they beg in. That said, Paramount has just released a new edition, which is definitely well restored, complete with commentary by restoration experts and the alternate Hepburn vocals. And I will say this; some people just love pretty pictures with happy songs where everything is so "loverly." It made a great gift for my mom.