Monday, March 29, 2010

Bookshelf: Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote



one of my favorite movies of all time is Breakfast at Tiffany's.  i remember watching it when i think i was about 13 or so and just being mesmerized by Audrey Hepburn's portrayal of Holly Golightly.  of course there was the obvious fashion reasons that made me adore Ms. Hepburn - like that signature Givenchy ensemble of the swishy LBD.  but really you simply couldn't 'hate' Holly Golightly because of the innocence and charm that Ms. Hepburn brought to the character.  which was why, when i read the original novella by Truman Capote, i was surprised by the real story of Holly Golightly.  Surprised but pleasantly surprised still.really Breakfast at Tiffany's the novella is a dark, sad, funny, poignant, but not-so-happy story of a lost girl who manages to captivate and infuriate those around her.  her name pretty much sums her up:  a woman who makes a holiday of life but treads through it lightly (originally her character was to be named but Connie Gustafson - thankfully though that never happened).  essentially a girl-for-hire, she trapezes about the New York social circle in search of that sense of life-long security - albeit mostly a monetary one.  Holly Golighty the literary persona is much darker than her celluloid counterpart - charming and chic yes but with a darker, more cruel skin that definitely yellowed her aura.  if she was around nowadays i wouldn't be surprised to see her on a reality show, whoring for that quick taste of fame.  unlike the movie, she never gets her Hollywood ending of romance.  true to life, Holly Golightly ends up with probably more questions that answers.  
 



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