Movie Review: My Fair Lady
Rated by 3 members
What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that this movie is innocuous in terms
of sexuality and violence. References to beating a woman for
misbehaving surface several times, intended in a humorous way.
Ultimately, the sexism that propels the male lead is shown as a
handicap. Alcoholism is similarly treated as both a vice and a
gag.
Families could discuss archaic notions of class and place in society. Parents who wince at the thought of Audrey Hepburn being romantically paired with someone closer to her father's age might want to discuss the difference between marriage then and now. Respectful treatment of an alcoholic parent might also merit discussion.
Common Sense Media Review
With witty songwriting, comical and charismatic performances
of the two leads (Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison), and lush
costumes and sets, MY FAIR LADY still engages after forty
years. The ever-fresh story of London street peddler Eliza
Dolittle (Hepburn) being handpicked by linguistics professor
Henry Higgins (Harrison) on a bet that he can reshape her into
an aristocrat was adapted as a musical after the play
Pygmalion. Eliza Dolittle's transformation is
spectacular, and Hepburn's unique comic flair is especially
effective in the race scene at Ascot.
The film delights people of all ages, although some (also of any age) may grow weary of a few songs that stay a verse or two past their welcome. The Special Features on the film's DVD provide an insight into how this classic might have been even better. Compare the versions of "Show Me" and "Loverly" originally sung by Hepburn with the final film's dubbing of Marni Nixon's impersonal soprano...you'll rue the studio's decision not to leave Hepburn's sweeter, more urchinesque voice on these tracks. A story on the 1964 Best Actress Oscar going to Julie Andrews for Mary Poppins, while Hepburn wasn't even nominated is also included. Speculation abounds that the dubbing led to Hepburn's Oscar slight, or that this was just desserts for Warner Brothers, since the studio passed over Andrews, an unknown who brought Eliza Dolittle to life on Broadway, to cast a proven star in the lead. Hepburn's performance is thoroughly charming nonetheless.
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