IFI CLASSIC

EXCLUSIVELY AT THE IFI

This film closes on Thursday, March 6th.

Taking little more than its title and a handful of songs from the original 1927 Broadway production, Stanley Donen’s Funny Face stars Audrey Hepburn in her first musical as booklover Jo. Discovered by fashion magazine editor Maggie Prescott (Kay Thomas) and photographer Dick Avery (Fred Astaire), Jo initially refuses their overtures, but eventually takes them up on their offer of a photo shoot in Paris so that she can attend a series of lectures given by a famed philosopher. While there, her bohemian pursuits clash with her employers’ demands in a situation complicated by the attraction between her and Dick.

Singing her own vocals (unlike in My Fair Lady), Hepburn is arguably at her most beautiful and charming in Funny Face, while Astaire, although nearing the end of his musical career, displays his usual agility and grace. (Notes by Kevin Coyne.)

Don’t forget we now schedule weekly.