Hugh Grant has a movie recommendation: Roman Holiday

When Hugh Grant talks, especially during my time in COVID-19 quarantine,  I must listen. Most women on the planet will listen when he speaks.   Have I been watching his movies during quarantine, well of course darlings! Now is the time to enjoy Notting Hill, Four Weddings & a Funeral and of course Love Actually and most recently The Gentlemen.

Hugh Grant on the Red Carpet.

During this time of peak movie enjoyment at home, Hugh Grant has a message for movie lovers everywhere; watch Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn.  The classic story of a Princess played by Audrey Hepburn trying to escape her royal life with journalist Gregory Peck is as charming today as it was when it was released in 1954.  I can’t help but think this movie mirrored a bit of Princess Diana’s story long before she became Princess of Wales, and longed to escape the royal spotlight.

Why watch Roman Holiday? So many reasons to watch -including exhaustion from watching Hugh Grant films.

If you’re sitting around thinking, what can we watch now? We’ve watched all the Hugh Grant films over and over again.– Hugh Grant for AFI

Watch the video below to see what Hugh has to say about Roman Holiday. 

Roman Holiday is the selection of the AFI Movie Club selection for the month of May  The film is ranked #4 on AFI’s 100 Years…100 Passions list of the greatest love stories of all time, and Audrey Hepburn is #3 on AFI’s 100 Years ..100 Stars list of the greatest American screen legends. Gregory Peck and director William Wyler were recipients of the AFI Life Achievement Award in 1989 and 1976, respectively.  An interesting fact about the film is that the movie script was written by Dalton Trumbo, but he was not credited onscreen. Sadly, Trumbo was unjustly blacklisted as one of the “Hollywood Ten,” so Ian McLellan Hunter fronted his name on the script. The Academy paid tribute to Trumb in 1993 and  A Best Writing Academy Award® was posthumously restored to Trumbo.

Roman Holiday is a beautiful film, and a great way to practice what I call “media distancing.” We need take regular breaks from all the bad news in the world, playing 24 x 7 on most TV News channels.  It’s good to be aware of the news, but watching all day can be detrimental.

Audrey Hepburn’s dress as ‘Princess Ann’ – 1953 – Roman Holiday – Costume design by Edith Head – Bunka Gakuen Costume Museum (image via Pinterest)

The film remains a classic for a number of reasons, most notably it launched young actress Audrey Hepburn as a movie star. Other reasons to watch include a great performance from Gregory Peck, the sights of Rome and our course Audrey’s wardrobe.  Edith Head designed the costumes for Roman Holiday, with Audrey dressed as Princess in beautiful gowns, as well as an ordinary women in short sleeves, a jaunty scarf and a full circle fifties classic skirt.

Audrey Hepburn in Edith Head costumes for Roman Holiday

You can watch Roman Holiday as you stay safe at home via Amazon Prime.   To learn more about the movie, visit the AFI Roman Holiday Movie Club Page.

You can also watch Roman Holiday on Youtube via the Paramount Vault channel for free.