MovieChat Forums > Summertime (1955) Discussion > Should have been Audrey not Kate Hepburn

Should have been Audrey not Kate Hepburn

posted 16 years ago by Tashtago
41 replies | jump to latest

Sorry folks but I think Audrey Hepburn would've been much better in this role. She could've garnered more sympathy in the beginning. As it is the first third of the film or so is spent watching Kate mope around Venice because she's lonely. Well why come in the first place? Then all of her mannerisms.. that silly nervousness while waiting for Rossano Brazzi to show up at the cafe. Come on, she's fify years old or whatever, even if it was her first date she'd be a little more together than that. I guess we are supposed to feel sorry for her for being such a loser but then she takes that stupid camera out and starts filming nothing for no good reason other than she's waiting for her man to come. She doesn't even enjoy what was probably an excellent Capacino, instead gulping it down like it were cough medicine. Embarassing. Anyone else agree?

[–] sear94711 16 years ago

While I agree that Audrey Hepburn was also a wonderful actress, we cannot deny that Kate plays an excellent role in Summertime. She was wonderful not only in this movie but in all of her movies.

[–] simplemines 14 years ago

"While I agree that Audrey Hepburn was also a wonderful actress, we cannot deny that Kate plays an excellent role in Summertime. She was wonderful not only in this movie but in all of her movies. "

How many movies has Katharine Hepburn played the skinny old maid? With the same annoying mannerisms? Like her, it gets old.

[–] carman-j 16 years ago

Tashtago, it would be nice if you could at least spell "capacino" right. (it's spelled cappuccino)

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] gbennett5 16 years ago

Audrey??? Uh, no. Love both actresses, but this film requires a late-40s,
lonely, "independent", prudent, plain, yet deep-down lovely actress.

As for Streisand, I'm okay with the casting. First of all, you can be a
widow at ANY age! And her singing/acting in this otherwise lackluster
film is wonderful.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] little_brother 16 years ago

Yes, I also find it frustrating to watch the mannerisms and the silly nervousness. I prefer to watch strong, confident, and capable protagonists with whom to identify. Somehow though, I have to confess to sharing all these childish traits (probably why they irritate me!) and I don't think it's a question of age either. Watching such weak characters helps me to come to terms with my own weaknesses. Also, seeing how she was loved by Brazzi's character helped me to see how human frailty can be viewed in a positive light.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] 16 years ago

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[–] Tess-Harding 16 years ago

Wow, you really missed the point of this movie.

"Kateness is greatness."

[–] smbdy_someday 16 years ago

Dude! she's phenominal in it. She's so vulnerable and sincere. There's hardly a thing that I'd change in this film.

[–] Hancock_the_Superb 16 years ago

Kate's character is supposed to be f-ing middle aged. Audrey was in her twenties when this film came out.

"Anyone can go to Baghdad. Real men go to Tehran!"

[–] Catbookss (13664) 5 years ago

I was going to say the same thing. There is no way Audrey, much as I love her, would have been appropriate to play this character. That would have been a ridiculous miscasting.

Have to agree with the poster who said of the (long gone) OP "Wow, you really missed the point of this movie."

[–] 16 years ago

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