Funny Face (1957) Review: The Good, The Bad & How to Watch

Funny Face (1957)  Review: The Good, The Bad & How to Watch 

American Film, Musical, Comedy, Romance

Cannes Film Festival, 1957- Official Selection
Academy Awards, 1958- 4 nominations including: Best Art Direction-Set Decoration
National Board of Review, 1957- Winner: Top Ten Films

If technicolor perfection had a definition, it would look a lot like Stanley Donen’s 1957 musical masterpiece, Funny Face. Bursting with dazzling colors, irresistible charm, and the unmatched elegance of Audrey Hepburn, this film remains a glorious celebration of romance, fashion, and the timeless lure of Paris. More on Wikipedia or Mubi 

High Fashion and Parisian Dreams: Funny Face (1957) 

The story follows Jo Stockton, an intellectual bookstore clerk in Greenwich Village who holds a healthy disdain for the shallow world of fashion. Her quiet life gets turned upside down when Dick Avery, an energetic fashion photographer played by Fred Astaire, discovers her unique, captivating face. He convinces her to travel to Paris to become the new face of Quality magazine, promising her a chance to meet her philosophy idol in person. Once in the City of Light, amidst high-fashion photoshoots and Parisian cafes, the cynical bookworm and the charming photographer inevitably fall for each other.

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Visually, Funny Face is nothing short of a feast for the eyes. Donen, alongside legendary fashion photographer Richard Avedon, transformed the screen into a moving canvas. The iconic photo shoots across Paris—Audrey descending the stairs of the Louvre in a fiery red gown, or posing by the Seine with balloons—are burned into cinematic history. Combined with Givenchy’s breathtaking wardrobe and the timeless, infectious score by George and Ira Gershwin, every frame feels vibrant and alive.

The chemistry between Hepburn and Astaire brings magic to the screen. Astaire effortlessly gliding through dance routines in his fifties is a marvel, while Hepburn radiates an authentic, youthful grace. Her iconic modern dance sequence in a dimly lit Parisian jazz club remains one of the coolest, most memorable moments in movie musical history.

Funny Face isn't just a movie; it's a stylish, lighthearted escape into a golden era of filmmaking. It captures a moment when cinema was unapologetically romantic, visually adventurous, and deeply in love with the art of spectacle. Decades later, it continues to set the standard for cinematic style and grace.

What Makes It Shine

The real magic of the movie lies in its visual and artistic brilliance. The wardrobes, crafted by Givenchy alongside iconic costume designer Edith Head, aren't just clothes on screen. They are living set pieces that helped define the glamorous aesthetic of the late 1950s. The cinematography and choreography burst with energy, nowhere more famously than in the iconic Parisian jazz club scene where Audrey Hepburn performs a beatnik dance in an all-black outfit. That moment remains one of the most recognizable dance sequences in cinema history.

The soundtrack by George and Ira Gershwin provides a lively rhythm that keeps the story moving effortlessly. Catchy numbers like "Bonjour, Paris!" and the titular "Funny Face" carry an undeniable charm. Seeing Hepburn perform her own vocals adds a genuine layer of sweetness and authenticity that grounds the film's lavish production value.

Where It Falls Short

Despite all its visual style, the film has a few noticeable flaws that stand out to modern audiences. The most frequent criticism is the dramatic age gap between the two leads. Fred Astaire was 57 years old during filming, while Audrey Hepburn was just 27. While both actors bring immense talent and charm to the screen, the romantic chemistry can feel a bit awkward and hard to buy into because of that generational divide.

Beyond the romance, the plot itself is quite thin and predictable. The script tries to poke fun at Paris's trendy existentialist philosophy of the era, but the satire comes off as silly and superficial today. The movie leans heavily on its gorgeous visuals and musical numbers, leaving character development and narrative depth in the back seat.