I saw the movie"BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S" first and read the novella afterwards. I was SHOCKED at all the differences in style, tone, etc. The novella is dark and cynical-- the movie is a ROM-COM!! I treat the novella and film as apples and oranges. I respect the novella and film for what they are. And here's the deal: I am A GAY MAN who LOVES THE MOVIE!! I love Audrey Hepburn and I'm not bothered at all when she finds cat in the rain. The novella leaves me depressed, but it's all about the differences. As I said, it's just a case of apples and oranges.
Do it! I'll bet the Manic Pixie Nightmare Girl would be a familiar face to horror / thriller fans, and I'm don't believe I've personally seen coverage on her yet.
This is such an interesting and thoughtful video. I've been a fan of both the film and the book for many years but I always read the Fred character as being queer in the book, and thought of their dynamic to be an early example of the gay best friend. Time for a reread/rewatch!
Valid. The narrator's love of Holly reminds me of my gay and lesbian friends who are incredibly secure in their sexuality and also find themselves with heartfelt crushes on that one guy or gal. Like, "I exclusively like women. and David Bowie," or "I exclusively like boys. And Cher." Which is cool. Love is beautiful and chaotic and within its idiom to rebel when we try to give it boundaries as flimsy as gender.
All you videos are excellent, but this video is excellent in comparison to your others. I now desperately want to reread Breakfast at Tiffany's a book I found meh a few year ago. Also that Brazil stuff with the letter K, brilliant.
Thank you kindly. One of my favorite Brazilians-Portuguese words is, "Cachaça" or "Brazillian moonshine distilled from sugar cane, and pronounced 'kah-shah-sah'." It doesn't precisely illustrate the superfluousness of the letter "k," but it does show how the letters "c" and "ç" would put a lot of "Ks" and "Ss" out of a job.
Fern Gully indeed :D I actually had a bit of a cry on watching this scene for the first time in 30-ish years. 'cause Crysta's all "Remember" and gives Zak a seed. And Zak plants it / immediately starts giving back to the forest. And Crysta does the whole "Help it grow" routine, and so much of it is done with no words. Just-- Movie people need to make movies as good as *this* one or not waste folks' time.
I really enjoyed the book and I think your insights about both are great. I was unaware but also unsurprised about the Nazi's fleeing to Brazil, but the historic connection to the story I'd never considered. I suspect most people's fondness for the movie really comes down to Audrey Hepurn's undeniable charm. Hollywood has never given the viewer any kind of respect for being able to digest intelligent story writing. I was really disappointed that the movie missed the point so badly.
Thank you kindly :) Also, right? Some movie changes I really - truly get, like the song Holly sings on the fire escape turning into "Moon River" is sweet and thematic (and makes total sense with the director being BFFs with Henri Mancini and stuff). But the changes specifically to make the domination of Holly seem reasonable and normal are kinda gross. For instance, I didn't touch on it much in the video, but Doc Golightly is indisputably a child groomer, and the guy they got to play him was beloved character actor, Buddy Ebsen. Like, Holly's allowed to be gracious and feel for this guy, but at the end of the day, he thinks he's just as entitled to Holly as her assorted Johns, and the movie wants us to just innately feel for this Texan predator? Poop on that.
@@SelfWriteousness Completely agree. We have a horrible tendency to normalize awful things by simply saying "Oh but things were different then. It was considered normal back then." Bizarre to think that parents allowed their daughters to be victimized by men that were old enough to know better.
Thank you kindly ❤️ If someone else rents Breakfast at Tiffany's, it's definitely worth a watch, but I can honestly say Blake Edwards learned a thing or two about gender sensitivity and unconventional love stories between this and Victor / Victoria. I can scarcely recommend Victor / Victoria highly enough.
You make a good point. As you know, the ending was changed to appeal to a broader audience in 60s. Apparently, the queer elements also in the book had to be removed for the sake of the movie in the 60s as well.
*ponders* I think I remember reading that *Breakfast at Tiffany's* was a successful stage adaptation before it went to film. I hadn't considered a possible stage version up to now, but wonder if the play might have had fewer teeth removed. *Mister Roberts* and *Arsenic and Old Lace* were certainly saucier shows in print than they were on the 1960s silver screen. It would not surprise me if other plays were as well.
I always felt the relationship between Holly and Fred were similar to Sally Bowles and Maximillian. Knowing Capote didn't put Sally in cage has me wanting to read the book. Might have to go read Goodbye to Berlin too
I don't believe you'll regret it. It's a zippy read, and I can honestly say I've spent more time on less worthy stuff in my life :) Also, *man* do I need to see Cabaret. It's on my short list, Bob Fosse is one of my many dead boyfriends... *sigh* Society's to blame. Also never having quite enough time or the right streaming platforms.
Very truly, I am in Brazil now, and I still don't see "K" very often (Portuguese generally uses a couple kinds of "C" to make most sounds). But folks occasionally talk about a place called "Uberlande" which hit my ear wrong the first time I visited because "uber" is the German word for "over." So if I wanted to chat with folks whose surnames are "Koenig" or "Koeller," that's where I'd look.
No worries. The movie gets an awful lot of love, and very truly, there's a lot *to* love. The score alone was something of a pop culture phenomenon at the time
I think you’re a perfect creator to ask this question: Have you heard of or read The Power by Naomi Alderman? And have you ever seen the Amazon series? If you have I’d love to seen your take on a comparison between them. While the book had one glaring flaw, the series. . .i still haven’t settled all my feelings about the series. I thought this question feels right to ask you. My parents were activists so the 1st time I viewed Breakfast at Tiffany’s they had a lot to say about Mickey Rooney’s role in it so I never got to actually watch it with any manner of criticize eye. I was this many years old when I found out it was a book written by Truman Capote. Heh. Small pop culture world, innit? Good video, by the way.
Thank you kindly. *looks up The Power* I had not heard of this one before you mentioned it. I'll have to put it on my wish list. Looks like a blast :) *surreptitiously checks out channel and subscribes* Are your folks still on the planet? And would they / you say activism makes a difference, or do we sometimes merely take a stand in order to, well, "stand up and be counted"?
@@SelfWriteousness They passed years ago. In their prime they were involved with the Civil Right movement, New York Black Panthers party and pretty much every fight for equality happening in New York throughout the 50s, 60s and 70s. I’d include the 80s but that was my start at political action. But my father was hardcore about history. That’s my roots.
I agree with you on everything regarding the film. Although I don’t necessarily think Audrey’s performance was meant to be a manic pixie dream girl. She ended up that way because of the changes made to the story by the filmmakers. They shoehorned a love plot into the story when there wasn’t one in the book. It was meant to be a satirical buddy dramedy between a gay and bisexual friends. It also didn’t help that the lead actor gave the most charmless dull performance ever. I think the movie Breakfast of Tiffanys is an example of single acting performance saving a very flawed film. Despite the very bad Frankenstein monster the filmmakers did of the story. Audrey Hepburn gave the performance of her life. She is the only thing enjoyable about this film. I think this movie is well remembered mostly because of her. For that she deserves credit.
Fair. I too love Audrey in this role (this performance and Sabrina might be m'favorites). To me, the book's nameless narrator reads kinda like Ishmael in Moby Dick in that the guy writing the story esteems himself the least interesting character in it. So the instinct to make the writer character a little dry in the movie I guess makes sense (?) But when he also ends up with the girl at the end, it certainly looks like an "If girl, then get" situation regardless of whether they're right for each other or not. Dunno. Could just be that George Peppard was cast for looks. I think that happened an awful lot.
@@SelfWriteousness I could see the Moby Dick comparison your making. Oliver Twist is similar to it as well. With the Main Character just being an audience surrogate and just used to show the readers the interesting characters in the story. The problem with the movie is that they kind of remove most of the interesting characters from the book besides Holly. Emily is not very interesting she’s just portrayed as some type of nuisance. The other characters don’t get enough time. The one supporting character people remember is for the wrong reasons. Obviously because it’s nothing but a racist caricature. So we are kind of stuck with Paul. And I don’t think Peppard is a good or charismatic enough actor to carry the movie without Audrey. I mean his career speaks for it self. George Peppard did some movies after Breakfast. But I never seen any of them nor do people talk about them as much. The only thing he did Post Breakfast that was remembered is being on the TV series The A-Team. And he was an old man at that point. I don’t wanna really dunk on him since he’s long past. Speaking honestly I thought he was miscast. Jack Lemmon would have been my dream choice for the male lead.
Jack Lemmon would have been interesting. James Stewart would've been a wee bit older than the movie makers were likely thinking, but he could've been both likable and manly.
I can't watch that movie because of Mickey Rooney. Well, not just that, but the film is boringly heterosexualized, which, as a not straight person, is the kind of eraser I hate..though I'm not surprised, given the year this Trainwreck was created. (damn that production code!) But when I hear about the novella, I don't think I could read it. What happens to Holly at such a young age frankly makes me feel ick 🤢 Manic pixie nightmare indeed
Genuinely good to know, and I quite agree. The erasure is pretty distressing and leads to other character issues. Everybody loses, even the guy who gets his way and does not grow.
I saw the movie"BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S" first and read the novella afterwards. I was SHOCKED at all the differences in style, tone, etc. The novella is dark and cynical-- the movie is a ROM-COM!! I treat the novella and film as apples and oranges. I respect the novella and film for what they are. And here's the deal: I am A GAY MAN who LOVES THE MOVIE!! I love Audrey Hepburn and I'm not bothered at all when she finds cat in the rain. The novella leaves me depressed, but it's all about the differences. As I said, it's just a case of apples and oranges.
Thank you for being the only TH-cam creator to seem to know and acknowledge Audrey Hepburn playing the FIRST manic pixie dream girl archetype.
Pleasure.
*tips hat*
Sometimes the person who played it first really did play it best :)
@@SelfWriteousness here here 🥂✨
This video reminds me I must make an effort to popularize the term Manic pixie nightmare girl as well.
Great analysis as always
Do it! I'll bet the Manic Pixie Nightmare Girl would be a familiar face to horror / thriller fans, and I'm don't believe I've personally seen coverage on her yet.
"Downtown Yikes City during rush hour" 🤣👏 Your wit is sparkling, dear!
This is such an interesting and thoughtful video. I've been a fan of both the film and the book for many years but I always read the Fred character as being queer in the book, and thought of their dynamic to be an early example of the gay best friend. Time for a reread/rewatch!
Valid.
The narrator's love of Holly reminds me of my gay and lesbian friends who are incredibly secure in their sexuality and also find themselves with heartfelt crushes on that one guy or gal.
Like, "I exclusively like women. and David Bowie," or "I exclusively like boys. And Cher."
Which is cool. Love is beautiful and chaotic and within its idiom to rebel when we try to give it boundaries as flimsy as gender.
All you videos are excellent, but this video is excellent in comparison to your others. I now desperately want to reread Breakfast at Tiffany's a book I found meh a few year ago. Also that Brazil stuff with the letter K, brilliant.
Thank you kindly.
One of my favorite Brazilians-Portuguese words is, "Cachaça" or "Brazillian moonshine distilled from sugar cane, and pronounced 'kah-shah-sah'."
It doesn't precisely illustrate the superfluousness of the letter "k," but it does show how the letters "c" and "ç" would put a lot of "Ks" and "Ss" out of a job.
I need to read the book! Love the comparisons you made. Really thought-provoking.
Dude. Loves your channel ❤
Many thanks. The internet needs more love. I'm glad you're here ❤️
FERNGULLLYYYYYYYYYY for the absolute WIN, omg this is amazing, Martha 🤗🔥
Fern Gully indeed :D
I actually had a bit of a cry on watching this scene for the first time in 30-ish years.
'cause Crysta's all "Remember" and gives Zak a seed.
And Zak plants it / immediately starts giving back to the forest.
And Crysta does the whole "Help it grow" routine, and so much of it is done with no words.
Just-- Movie people need to make movies as good as *this* one or not waste folks' time.
love this
I really enjoyed the book and I think your insights about both are great. I was unaware but also unsurprised about the Nazi's fleeing to Brazil, but the historic connection to the story I'd never considered. I suspect most people's fondness for the movie really comes down to Audrey Hepurn's undeniable charm. Hollywood has never given the viewer any kind of respect for being able to digest intelligent story writing. I was really disappointed that the movie missed the point so badly.
Thank you kindly :)
Also, right?
Some movie changes I really - truly get, like the song Holly sings on the fire escape turning into "Moon River" is sweet and thematic (and makes total sense with the director being BFFs with Henri Mancini and stuff).
But the changes specifically to make the domination of Holly seem reasonable and normal are kinda gross. For instance, I didn't touch on it much in the video, but Doc Golightly is indisputably a child groomer, and the guy they got to play him was beloved character actor, Buddy Ebsen. Like, Holly's allowed to be gracious and feel for this guy, but at the end of the day, he thinks he's just as entitled to Holly as her assorted Johns, and the movie wants us to just innately feel for this Texan predator?
Poop on that.
@@SelfWriteousness Completely agree. We have a horrible tendency to normalize awful things by simply saying "Oh but things were different then. It was considered normal back then." Bizarre to think that parents allowed their daughters to be victimized by men that were old enough to know better.
I've never seen the movie or read the book but damn this was a good break down as usual!
Thank you kindly ❤️
If someone else rents Breakfast at Tiffany's, it's definitely worth a watch, but I can honestly say Blake Edwards learned a thing or two about gender sensitivity and unconventional love stories between this and Victor / Victoria. I can scarcely recommend Victor / Victoria highly enough.
You make a good point.
As you know, the ending was changed to appeal to a broader audience in 60s.
Apparently, the queer elements also in the book had to be removed for the sake of the movie in the 60s as well.
*ponders*
I think I remember reading that *Breakfast at Tiffany's* was a successful stage adaptation before it went to film. I hadn't considered a possible stage version up to now, but wonder if the play might have had fewer teeth removed. *Mister Roberts* and *Arsenic and Old Lace* were certainly saucier shows in print than they were on the 1960s silver screen. It would not surprise me if other plays were as well.
I always felt the relationship between Holly and Fred were similar to Sally Bowles and Maximillian. Knowing Capote didn't put Sally in cage has me wanting to read the book. Might have to go read Goodbye to Berlin too
I don't believe you'll regret it. It's a zippy read, and I can honestly say I've spent more time on less worthy stuff in my life :)
Also, *man* do I need to see Cabaret. It's on my short list, Bob Fosse is one of my many dead boyfriends...
*sigh*
Society's to blame. Also never having quite enough time or the right streaming platforms.
hahaha, the saucy treatment of the capote drama!! 🔥
The letter "K" -- got it. Thank you very much.
Very truly, I am in Brazil now, and I still don't see "K" very often (Portuguese generally uses a couple kinds of "C" to make most sounds). But folks occasionally talk about a place called "Uberlande" which hit my ear wrong the first time I visited because "uber" is the German word for "over." So if I wanted to chat with folks whose surnames are "Koenig" or "Koeller," that's where I'd look.
@SelfWriteousness I will steer clear of this uberland.
I missed an awful lot by not reading the book. Thank you very much.
No worries. The movie gets an awful lot of love, and very truly, there's a lot *to* love. The score alone was something of a pop culture phenomenon at the time
@SelfWriteousness The movie is its own thing, I guess. But devoting an entire shot to that bird cage? It's clearly an intended sign or warning.
I think you’re a perfect creator to ask this question: Have you heard of or read The Power by Naomi Alderman? And have you ever seen the Amazon series? If you have I’d love to seen your take on a comparison between them. While the book had one glaring flaw, the series. . .i still haven’t settled all my feelings about the series. I thought this question feels right to ask you. My parents were activists so the 1st time I viewed Breakfast at Tiffany’s they had a lot to say about Mickey Rooney’s role in it so I never got to actually watch it with any manner of criticize eye. I was this many years old when I found out it was a book written by Truman Capote. Heh. Small pop culture world, innit? Good video, by the way.
Thank you kindly.
*looks up The Power*
I had not heard of this one before you mentioned it. I'll have to put it on my wish list. Looks like a blast :)
*surreptitiously checks out channel and subscribes*
Are your folks still on the planet? And would they / you say activism makes a difference, or do we sometimes merely take a stand in order to, well, "stand up and be counted"?
@@SelfWriteousness They passed years ago. In their prime they were involved with the Civil Right movement, New York Black Panthers party and pretty much every fight for equality happening in New York throughout the 50s, 60s and 70s. I’d include the 80s but that was my start at political action. But my father was hardcore about history. That’s my roots.
That's amazing - I'm glad you're here :)
I agree with you on everything regarding the film.
Although I don’t necessarily think Audrey’s performance was meant to be a manic pixie dream girl. She ended up that way because of the changes made to the story by the filmmakers.
They shoehorned a love plot into the story when there wasn’t one in the book. It was meant to be a satirical buddy dramedy between a gay and bisexual friends.
It also didn’t help that the lead actor gave the most charmless dull performance ever.
I think the movie Breakfast of Tiffanys is an example of single acting performance saving a very flawed film.
Despite the very bad Frankenstein monster the filmmakers did of the story. Audrey Hepburn gave the performance of her life. She is the only thing enjoyable about this film.
I think this movie is well remembered mostly because of her. For that she deserves credit.
Fair.
I too love Audrey in this role
(this performance and Sabrina might be m'favorites).
To me, the book's nameless narrator reads kinda like Ishmael in Moby Dick in that the guy writing the story esteems himself the least interesting character in it. So the instinct to make the writer character a little dry in the movie I guess makes sense (?)
But when he also ends up with the girl at the end, it certainly looks like an "If girl, then get" situation regardless of whether they're right for each other or not.
Dunno. Could just be that George Peppard was cast for looks. I think that happened an awful lot.
@@SelfWriteousness I could see the Moby Dick comparison your making. Oliver Twist is similar to it as well. With the Main Character just being an audience surrogate and just used to show the readers the interesting characters in the story.
The problem with the movie is that they kind of remove most of the interesting characters from the book besides Holly. Emily is not very interesting she’s just portrayed as some type of nuisance. The other characters don’t get enough time. The one supporting character people remember is for the wrong reasons. Obviously because it’s nothing but a racist caricature.
So we are kind of stuck with Paul. And I don’t think Peppard is a good or charismatic enough actor to carry the movie without Audrey.
I mean his career speaks for it self. George Peppard did some movies after Breakfast. But I never seen any of them nor do people talk about them as much. The only thing he did Post Breakfast that was remembered is being on the TV series The A-Team. And he was an old man at that point.
I don’t wanna really dunk on him since he’s long past. Speaking honestly I thought he was miscast. Jack Lemmon would have been my dream choice for the male lead.
Jack Lemmon would have been interesting. James Stewart would've been a wee bit older than the movie makers were likely thinking, but he could've been both likable and manly.
I can't watch that movie because of Mickey Rooney. Well, not just that, but the film is boringly heterosexualized, which, as a not straight person, is the kind of eraser I hate..though I'm not surprised, given the year this Trainwreck was created. (damn that production code!)
But when I hear about the novella, I don't think I could read it. What happens to Holly at such a young age frankly makes me feel ick 🤢 Manic pixie nightmare indeed
Genuinely good to know, and I quite agree. The erasure is pretty distressing and leads to other character issues. Everybody loses, even the guy who gets his way and does not grow.
Manic pixie dream girl, me?
Might as well. If the title doesn't go do you, it'll go to someone less worthy ;)