Little Sizzles

One of the Great Travesties in Film History: Audrey Hepburn in "Paris - When It Sizzles"

Copyright © 2009 Ed Bagley

Paris - When It Sizzles - 1 Star (Terrible)

We may never know how Audrey Hepburn ended up playing opposite William Holden in the romantic comedy "Paris - When It Sizzles". What we can say without doubt is that it was the worst movie of her illustrious career.

She did not even look comfortable in the role of Gabrielle "Gaby" Simpson, a young assistant to Richard "Rick" Benson (William Holden), a lazy, inept, alcoholic Hollywood screenwriter more interested in frittering away his time than working.

The improbable plot for this movie was based on a story by Julien Duvivier and Henri Jeanson with the screenplay by George Axelrod. Let us not mince words on Axelrod's screenplay—it is one of the most wasted efforts in movie history. My disdain for Director Richard Quine is none the less as he did nothing to make the script better.

In short, Rick is paid in advance to write a script for a Hollywood producer, and has spent months in Paris doing nothing. When push comes to shove, he has two days to do the work that should have been all but completed. Rick hires Gaby to help him do the impossible.

Rick does not have a clue where to begin, so Gaby comes up with every idea, and then the movie sends us through a convoluted series of switches wherein Gaby comes up with an idea and the two of them play out the scene on screen. To say this script gets a little confusing in the process would be an understatement. The plot becomes an absolute circus of confusion without drawing the viewer into the apparent predicament.

Is this film bad? Naw, it is worse than terrible; it is unconscionable, unnecessary and inappropriate. It is bereft of value at any level.

Audrey Hepburn was and still remains Hollywood's most complete actress. There has never been another actress in the history of movies that has combined her four timeless qualities of beauty, fashion, grace and humility. Some actresses have achieved beauty and fashion, a very few have added grace, but none of them—past or present—have also been able to add Audrey's sense of humility.

To cast her in this film was a travesty.

Audrey Hepburn won a Best Actress Oscar and a Golden Globe for her debut performance in "Roman Holiday", then won 3 other Academy Award nominations for Best Actress is "Sabrina", "The Nun's Story" and "Breakfast at Tiffany's" before making "Paris - When It Sizzles".

After suffering through Paris - When It Sizzles, she received a 5th Academy Award nomination for "Wait Until Dark".

It has been said that every leading man who played opposite Audrey Hepburn fell in love with her. William Holden was no exception. When awards time came, this film disaster was completely ignored; it was really that terrible.

Did I mention that Audrey Hepburn also received a Best Actress Golden Globe Award for "Roman Holiday" as well as another 7 nominations for Best Actress Golden Globe Awards?

Audrey's son Sean Ferrer later confirmed that Paris - When It Sizzles was her least favorite film. He said it taught her a lesson, that "just because a film is easy to make does not mean it is going to be very good." Amen to that, Audrey. She did her part, but nothing could have saved the film.

It is a good thing that there are so many other great moments to remember in Audrey Hepburn films.

About the Author

Read more of my movie reviews on films with a lot of substance, depth and feeling, including:
"A Christmas Story" - "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" - "Secondhand Lions" - "The Chorus (Les Choristes in French)" - "Waking Ned Devine" - "Chariots of Fire" - "Steel Magnolias" - "Chocolat" and "Radio"
These are all excellent films.
Find my articles at:
http://www.edbagleyblog.com
http://www.edbagleyblog.com/MovieReviews.html

Why does hydrogen peroxide "sizzle" in a drain?

I got a cut on my finger at work tonight, got home and went to the medicine cabinet to get the hydrogen peroxide. Poured a little over my finger and I distinctly heard the drain "sizzling". Is this poison gas? What IS it?

This is because your drain has bacteria with an enzyme called catalase, which catalyzes the reaction

2H2O2(aq) --> 2H2O(l) + O2(g)

The gas is oxygen, which we breath. Is it poison gas? It is to other bacteria which do not have such detoxifying enzymes as catalase. Hydrogen peroxide is a toxic compound which is result of exposure to oxygen, and is one reason why you may have heard oxygen called "Double Agent O."

Liz Melendez plays "Little Wing" (clip)

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