Two for the Road (1967)

Overrated

A Disappointing Continuation

A story that's too fascinating to pass by...

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

Audrey Hepburn is one of my favourite movie actresses. Unfortunately, many of her movies were clunkers and this is one of them.The central theme is that the two main characters are considering divorce after several years of marriage. Somehow, the plot is supposed to tell the viewer how they got to that point, but it does so in a haphazard way. I found it difficult to tell which stage of their relationship each particular scene was supposed to portray. The only way I could figure that out was by the clothes each character wore, which car the couple was driving, and Ms. Hepburn's character's hair style. But even that was often vague.In addition, the overall plot itself was poorly developed and I was often confused due to the frequent switching back and forth between some previous event and what was supposed to be the present.The supporting cast added little to the story. I found Eleanor Bron's attempted American accent irritating and poorly executed, William Daniels' character came across like a Monty Python upper class twit, and their daughter was, quite simply, a spoiled brat, behaving accordingly.My first attempt at watching this movie was several months ago and I changed channels after about an hour. I tried again earlier today and managed to persevere to the end. I should have spared myself the effort and done something else during that time.Ms. Hepburn's previous collaboration with director Stanley Donen, "Charade", was delightful fun and well-written. This movie, however, was simply awful. It reminds me a lot of another Hepburn stinker, "Paris--When It Sizzles".

Even though Albert Finney and Audrey Hepburn created some magical chemistry together in spite of the shoddy material that was handed to them, even though the sweet Mancini score was very endearing, and even though the scenery of southern France was breathtaking, I found the repetitious dialogue very monotonous after the first hour or so. Having been married for 27 years, I understand at least a little bit of what the writers and director were trying to express, but an hour of this was more than enough for me to endure.The segment with William Daniels, Eleanor Bron, and their spoiled brat of a child was entirely too realistic for me and became more annoying than entertaining. I have known too many disagreeable nudnicks like Cathy and Howard Manchester in real life, and the very thought of suffering through a long road trip with them actually made me instantly carsick. Why would Joanna and Mark agree to do this in the first place? If a reason were given, I must have nodded off at that point. The role of Maurice (Claude Dauphine) as Mark's perpetually invasive, interfering boss also became very displeasing and unrealistic to me. How could these architects achieve so much success when they designed a house with a fundamentally flawed electrical system? Was there a subtle message there about the shaky basis of Mark's supposedly accomplished career? "Mark, can I speak to you for ten minutes?" Oh shut up, Maurice. Less talking and more thought, please. And what exactly did Joanna see in David? To me, he was just another stiff who only helped to weigh the movie down even more.While the major components of the whole, especially the lovely presence and strong performance of Audrey Hepburn, should have produced an outstanding overall result, this just fell flat for me. The trip started out smooth, but I found myself getting very road weary in the middle and looking for the nearest Best Western where I could take a good nap.

I am only 20 years old and by no means close to marriage, but from what people tell me, marriage is a lot like what is portrayed on screen in Two For The Road. It details the relationship between a husband and wife who basically have a love hate relationship. It's not sugarcoated at all. Audrey Hepburn and Albert Finney are great but really do you expect anything different? Hepburn is really the only reason I know of this movie and I'm glad that I watched it. Most of the old movies always have the typical romantic feel to them. There are bumps in the road but really you know watching that in the end they will end up together. With this film it's unclear what the ending will be and that makes for a much more fun ride along the way.You can tell from the very opening scene that the two leads despise each other, but then in the next segment they hadn't met. For me at first it was a bit jarring not knowing this film was going to take a different approach. It's told in the non linear and jumps around every 10 minutes or so. It's a very effective approach but there were times where I thought it was choppy. For this time of filmmaking it must have been extremely experimental doing a movie this way.There are times where Finney and Hepburn are unlikeable but even then it's hard not to root for this couple to somehow resolve their long term marriage. It seems that in order to have a successful marriage you have to be willing to make some big sacrifices and ultimately that's what it comes down to. I really liked the scenes in the middle of their relationship where you can start to see the flaws, but at the same time you realize the young love that is blossoming. By the way can Audrey Hepburn be any more beautiful? She is around 40 years old in this movie and looks better than ever. It must be that long hair look...Not only is it a fun film to watch but it's a realistic one. It may not be a true story but it seems to depict a real marriage give many glimpses at how people deal with each other for several years, and in the end if they can resolve or destroy their marriage.8.7/10

Two For The Road was the last and least of the films that Audrey Hepburn did with Stanley Donen. It's a matter of taste, but I don't think it is anywhere as good as either Funny Face or Charade.The film is the story of the marriage of Albert Finney and Audrey Hepburn told in jigsaw puzzle style, disjointed at different select times of their marriage and what they go through. You date it by the different hairstyles that Audrey Hepburn has and by the various cars that they drive. They're always on the road and if you know from cars and from women's hairstyle trends than you can follow the film a whole lot easier. Me, I'm not an expert in either.Some parts are quite memorable and the best scenes are with another married couple, Eleanor Bron and William Daniels and the little brat monster from hell that they're raising. Bron used to be involved with Finney and she'd like to keep some kind of tie there. But as parents the two are absolute flops, they're very liberal types who don't believe in disciplining their little sugar plum. In fact Audrey has to take a hand in there when the situation becomes intolerable.According to The Films Of Audrey Hepburn, Finney's part was originally schedule for Michael Caine. I could certainly have seen him in the role. I don't think the cinematic jigsaw was necessary. It would have been a better film just done as a straight linear narrative. Still fans of Audrey Hepburn and Albert Finney should be pleased.