FUNNY FACE

US, 1956, 103 minutes, Colour.
Audrey Hepburn, Fred Astaire, Kay Thompson, Michel Auclair, Robert Flemyng.
Directed by Stanley Donen.

Funny Face is a conventional musical of the 50s directed by Stanley Donen who had worked with Gene Kelly on such films as On the Town and Singin' in the Rain. Donen who specialised in light comedies and musicals made such films as Indiscreet at the same time and in the 60s went on to make Charade and Arabesque. In the 70s he made such films as Lucky Lady and The Little Prince. Funny Face is notable for its beautiful colour photography and fashion style from its subject. Audrey Hepburn has the title role and sings and dances. However, from the dancing point of view the film is a Fred Astaire film. It has the appeal of so many musicals of its time.

1. What were the best aspects of this film as a musical? Singing, dancing, artificial situations and humour? The irony of the title?

2. How dated does this film seem? Do musicals keep their freshness? or are they obviously part of the past? Why? (Or is the dated aspect of the musical part of its charm?)

3. How strong was the satire in this musical? The satire on the fashion world, its speed, styles, artificiality? The satire on the philosophies of the 50s? Their meaninglessness, their hypocrisy, the artificiality? The satire on Paris as the centre of the fashion world and the centre of Existential philosophy? How strong was this under the film? How strong is it for modern audiences?

4. How important were personalities for this film? Of Fred Astaire, Audrey Hepburn? Presupposing audience response to them?

5. Were the song and dance routines successful? Enjoyable? For instance the Pink Fashion song and dance? The song and dance in the library, the Funny Face song? The song and dance routine in Paris with the three principals involved. the split screen technique? The song and dance in the philosopher's house?

6. Was the film strong on humour? The character of Maggie and her strength? The irony of Jo and her move from librarian to fashion model? The humour in the satire on the philosophers?

7. How did the film use to the full the world of fashion? The 'Think pink' sequence, the shop and the photos. the fashion show at the end? How would audiences enjoy this? Especially feminine audiences?

8. How interesting was the presentation of the world of philosophy? Jo's incessant chatter about a meaningless philosophy? Seeking out the philosophers on the left bank? The meaningless talk and mime of the philosophers? The main philosopher being a hoax?

9. How sympathetic a heroine was Jo? Was she credible? What made her change? The erratic nature of her ups and downs? Her lack of responsibility towards the fashion people? The final reuniting with Dick? The overtones of the wedding sequence?

10. How sympathetic a character was Dick? Typical American hero? Song and dance man? Slick photographer? The plausibility of his romance with Jo?

11. The picture of Maggie? The strong fashion designer and pusher? The humour of her sequences? Especially the song and dance routine with Fred Astaire at the philosopher's house?

12. What is the overall effect of musicals like this? How skilfully are they made? How enjoyable are they? How much of an escape entertainment? And how valuable is this?