Funny Face (DVD 2001)

S'Wonderful, S'Marvelous!

Paris, the City of Light, shines even brighter when Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire team up for the only time and bring their luminous starpower to this exquisite musical featuring songs by George and Ira Gershwin. This dazzling romp -- filmed on location in Paris -- garnered four Academy Award nominations.

In the role of bookstore clerk transformed into a modeling sensation, Hepburn showcases singing and dancing skills she had honed on the London stage, performing "How Long Has This Been Going On?," a "Basal Metabolism" dance in a cool-cat bistro and more. Astaire, as the fashion photographer who discovers her, conjures up his inimitable magic for sequences that include his "Let's Kiss And Make Up" matador diversion, a heavenly dance with Hepburn to "He Loves And She Loves" and, again with Hepburn, the title-tune enchantment, "I Love Your Funny Face." Now and forever, so do we.

Oozing old school charm, this movie will not disappoint you. It has got it all: the wit, the romance, the sleek dance routines. Astaire moves like a dream, each step perfectly executed (but, what is new about that?!) and Hepburn shines, having a chance to display the multiple skills learnt on London stages. You will be surprised by the number of expressions and jokes that have filtered to our everyday language from this movie. A classic that often is not recognised its due.