Main Cast: Audrey Hepburn, Albert Finney, Eleanor Bron, William Daniels, Claude Dauphin
Release Year: 1967
Country: US/UK
Run Time: 112 minutes
Plot
In preparing his romantic comedy Two For the Road, director Stanley Donen decided to utilize many of the cinematic techniques popularized by the French "nouvelle vague" filmmakers. Jump cutting back and forth in time with seeming abandon, Donen and scriptwriter Frederic Raphael chronicle the 12-year relationship between architect Wallace (Albert Finney) and his wife (Audrey Hepburn). While backpacking through Europe, student Finney falls for lovely music student Jacqueline Bisset, but later settles for Hepburn, another aspiring musician (this vignette served as the launching pad for the film-within-a-film in Francois Truffaut's 1973 classic Day for Night). Once married, Finney and Hepburn go on a desultory honeymoon, travelling in the company of insufferable American tourists William Daniels and Eleanor Bron and their equally odious daughter Gabrielle Middleton. Later on, during yet another road trip, Finney is offered an irresistible job opportunity by Claude Dauphin, which ultimately distances Finney from his now-pregnant wife. Still remaining on the road, the film then details Finney and Hepburn's separate infidelities. The film ends where it begins, with Finney and Hepburn taking still another road vacation, hoping to sew up their unraveling marriage. While critics did nip-ups over Stanley Donen's "revolutionary" nonlinear story-telling techniques, audiences responded to the chemistry between Audrey Hepburn and Albert Finney, not to mention the unforgettable musical score by Henry Mancini. Note: many TV prints of Two for the Road are edited for content, robbing the viewer of Finney and Hepburn's delightful "Bitch/Bastard" closing endearments. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
A departure from Hollywood musicals for director Stanley Donen, Two For the Road is one of the most mature films of his career. Donen skillfully cuts between multiple, interwoven flashbacks in an attempt to create a palpable feeling of passing time over the course of one marriage. For the most part, the director properly balances both the serious and comic aspects of the script. The film's sweeter moments give an uncommon depth to the more dramatic sequences. The performances help immensely: Albert Finney and Audrey Hepburn are both very human as man and wife, and they have a distinct chemistry together. Hepburn particularly stands out in the character's older scenes. ~ Brendon Hanley, All Movie Guide
Georges Descrieres - David; Nadia Gray - Francoise Dalbret; Gabrielle Middleton - Ruth Manch; Roger Dann - Gilbert; Libby Morris - American Lady; Jacqueline Bisset - Jackie; Judy Cornwell - Pat; Patricia Viterbo - Joanna's touring girl friends; Yves Barsacq - Police Inspector; Helene Tossy - Mme. Solange; Albert Michel - Customs' Officer
Credit
Willy Holt - Art Director, Marc Frederix - Art Director, Ken Scott - Costume Designer, Mary Quant - Costume Designer, Hardy Amies - Costume Designer, Stanley Donen - Director, Richard Marden - Editor, Madeleine Gug - Editor, Henry Mancini - Composer (Music Score), Georges Bouban - Makeup, Alberto de Rossi - Makeup, Christopher G. Challis - Cinematographer, Stanley Donen - Producer, Roger Volper - Set Designer, Frederic Raphael - Screenwriter, Frederic Raphael - Book Author
Two for the Road is a 1967 movie directed by Stanley Donen about the twelve-year relationship between an architect (Albert Finney) and his wife (Audrey Hepburn). The movie was considered somewhat experimental for its time because the story is told in a non-linear fashion, with scenes from the latter stages of the relationship juxtaposed with those from its beginning, often leaving the viewer to extrapolate what has intervened, which is sometimes revealed in later scenes. The film largely takes place in France, with the central focus of each part being that the couple are travelling to the South of France on a road trip. Several locations are used in different segments, to show continuity throughout the 12-year period. The screenplay, written by Frederic Raphael, was nominated for an Academy Award. The movie was also ranked #57 on AFI's 100 Years... 100 Passions.
The film's theme song, Two for the Road, was composed by Henry Mancini, with lyrics by Leslie Bricusse. (The lyrics are not heard in the film.) Mancini, who composed many famous theme songs for films, including Moon River for Breakfast at Tiffany's, considered Two for the Road his favorite song.
Now a successful and wealthy architect, Mark Wallace (Albert Finney) and his wife Joanna (Jo) Wallace (Audrey Hepburn) fly their white convertible Mercedes to Northern France, in order to continue driving to Saint-Tropez to celebrate the completion of a building project for a client, Maurice. Tensions amongst the couple are evident, and as they journey south they both remember and discuss several past journeys along the same road.
The earliest memory involves how they first met on a ferry crossing when Mark was travelling alone and Joanna was part of a girl's choir. They meet again when Joanna's choirbus goes off the road and Mark helps get them back on the road. When the other girls get chickenpox, Joanna and Mark unexpectedly wind up hitchhiking south together.
The next story tells how the two newlyweds are travelling with Mark's ex-girlfriend Cathy Manchester (Eleanor Bron), husband (William Daniels) and daughter Ruth 'Ruthie' (Gabrielle Middleton) from the USA. Ruthie is not given any limits, and her behaviour frustrates Mark and Jo. Eventually Ruthie reveals the unkind descriptions of Joanna her parents have made in private. At this point Mark and Joanna decide to travel alone.
Next the pair drive a new MG which begins to have exhaust troubles, finally catching on fire. On this journey Joanna announces that she is pregnant. They also meet the wealthy Maurice Dalbret (Claude Dauphin) and his wife Francoise (Nadia Gray). Maurice becomes a generous but demanding client for Mark.
The next story shows them travelling with their young daughter Caroline (Kathy Chelimsky).
Another time shows Mark travelling alone and having a fling with another motorist, but which is shown to be fleeting and unserious in nature. Later Joanna has an affair with Francoise's brother David (Georges Descrières), which is portrayed as much more serious than Mark's and threatens to end the marriage; however, while Joanna dines with David and they witness a couple eating together without saying a word, David asks, offhandedly, "What kind of people can eat an entire meal together and not talk?" Joanna replies, enthusiastically, "Married people!" and, realizing she misses Mark despite their faded passion, runs back to him.
At the end of the film, the Wallaces manage to end their long-term relationship to Maurice and find a new client in Rome. They honestly analyse their fears and insecurities which have plagued them throughout the film. Finally, they cross the border from France into Italy. This is new ground for them as well as for the audience, signalling a move beyond the old issues into a more mature future.
Cast
Main cast, as appearing in screen credits. The complete cast can be found on IMDb[1]
