Friday 26 July 2013

Devouring Books: Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M: Audrey Hepburn and Breakfast at Tiffany's by Sam Wasson

"There were human beings, and there was Audrey Hepburn."

I can't remember where I first read about Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M., but I know my main thoughts about it were essentially 'I like Breakfast at Tiffany's, I'll put it on my Amazon wishlist!' And there it might have languished forever had not the LOVELY Bex bought it for me for a reason I can't even remember- It definitely wasn't my birthday, and it wasn't Christmas either, but other than that I honestly don't know. But the point is that I'm really really glad she did because it's kind of become my favourite book about films ever? Yeah, that.

So. As is probably clear from the title, this is a book about Breakfast at Tiffany's- it follows Audrey Hepburn, Truman Capote, and other key figures involved with Breakfast at Tiffany's from their early careers, through making the film and beyond. Whilst I wouldn't necessarily say that you should read it if you don't care about Breakfast at Tiffany's, I did find it incredibly accessible and so very interesting, mainly because it did go beyond the borders of the movie and into the wider lives of the people behind it and the state of Hollywood at the time it was made. 

Because that state? Not so good. And by 'not so good', I mean that in 50s Hollywood, there were INCREDIBLY strict guidelines about what was and wasn't allowed in films, and what wasn't allowed was pre- or extra-marital sex or even a hint of such a thing, and a lot of other fun things besides (although smoking, of course, was practically encouraged, so there's that). All of this was still fully in force when Breakfast at Tiffany's was made, and it explains SO MUCH about the film- why, even though Holly is a prostitute, they can't ever say she's a prostitute, and why the end has to be the way it is- I don't want to ruin anything, but let's just say, marriage as opposed to sex.

I learnt so much trivia about the film from this book (George Peppard was a nightmare to work with, Audrey Hepburn nearly didn't take the part, nobody wanted the screenwriter, nobody wanted the director, nobody wanted Henry Mancini) but what was really best about it was that Wasson presented it all in a way so it didn't feel like trivia, but like you were actually along for the crazy ride with all the people involved. What this does mean is that he ascribes emotions and thoughts to actual people that they might not actually have had, and normally I hate that- BUT here it was so well done that I couldn't really argue with it, and the majority of these things were at least based in fact, and presented in such a way that it was impossible to roll my eyes at it. In fact, I did whatever the opposite of rolling my eyes at it would be... Just... Reading it with static eyes? 
Anyway... I'm sure that the story of most movies is the story of opportunities almost missed and actors almost not cast and songs almost not written (MOON RIVER) but very few of those movies turn out to be an almost watershed moment in cinematic history and that's why this book doesn't feel superfluous. I feel like its effect is so great that, even if people haven't seen it, they've heard of it, and if they haven't heard of it (come on, don't be shy) they've seen photos like this:
And believe they know everything about it. Fun story about this photo- Tiffany's allowed scenes from the movie to be shot inside Tiffany's (for the first time ever, no less) as long as they could borrow Audrey Hepburn for their own publicity and that's basically where this comes from- it has barely anything to do with the film. SEE HOW INTERESTING THIS BOOK IS?

Basically, you're not really going to want to read this unless you've seen Breakfast at Tiffany's or, I guess, are a Truman Capote fan and want to know all about his part in all of this, but really, you should definitely watch the film and then read this. There's nothing quite like knowing just how different it could have been as a movie (Marilyn Monroe instead of Audrey Hepburn?! WHAT?) and how much of a struggle it was to get it as perfect as it kind of is, and you know what? This book is kind of perfect too. Read it, read it, read it, read it. Because I don't have anymore words to describe its excellence, but it really is so good.

15 comments:

  1. I am totally one of those people who has heard of Breakfast at Tiffany's but knows absolutely nothing about it.

    *looks around awkwardly*

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    1. No, you know what, that's totally fine- the thing I really have a problem with is when people have like a fucking Audrey Hepburn like pencilcase or whatever and go 'wow, she's amazing' and it's like 'oh, have you seen Breakfast at Tiffany's?' '...No, is that a film?' Like, wow.

      BUT I would recommend watching it cause it's loooovely!

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  2. I recently read Breakfast for the first time and I thought it was a hoot. (Totally different than I expected) I have a feeling I'd really dig this book, after I get around to watching the movie that is! I love me some behind the scenes stuff.

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    1. The book is sooooooo different to the movie. Like, seriously different (which is what some of the book is about!) And I like both but I probably like the movie better which probably says a lot about me. This is such a good book though.

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  3. Same as Sarah. I've heard of it, recognize her dress, pearls and cigarette, even played Moon River in an orchestra event, but have no idea what the movie's about. (I'm so ashamed!)

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    1. Awww, I wasn't trying to make you all ashamed! I totally get that everyone recognises that image because it's this totally iconic thing now, and honestly the only thing that bugs me is if people, like, would have a poster of her up or whatever and yet had never seen the film... (When I say this I am basically referring to one specific person who I strongly dislike who had this Breakfast at Tiffany's poster and I had JUST seen the film and wanted to talk about it and she was just like 'oh, I haven't seen it' and I'm like 'UGHHHHHH I hate you' but I totally hated her for other reasons and ok I have issues).

      It IS a really good movie though! Just so you know...

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  4. You know, I've never actually read Breakfast at Tiffanys :(

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    1. It's a fine book, but I really like the movie better. I was about to say that's because I watched the movie first, but now that I think of it, I think I read it first! Huh. It's just generally pretty awesome, anyway.

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  5. In a perfect coincidence, when I clicked on your post from my Feedly page, Pandora started playing "Moon River." I saw "Breakfast at Tiffany's" over ten years ago and liked it. I know about some of the things that were changed from the book, but haven't read the book myself. I should probably change that - and rewatch the movie!

    Also regarding the strict rules for films, I remember being part of a film discussion forum and there was a poster there who was an aficionado of the "pre-code" films - the films that came out in that narrow window of the late 20's and early 30's, that didn't have to skirt around sex and other topics that became taboo under the code. So it is interesting to see how films like Breakfast at Tiffany's had to dance around what was really going on.

    - Christy

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    1. Oh wow! I love that :). Also the book and the movie are incredibly different, but I wouldn't even say it was necessarily important to read the book... tbh I would rather read THIS book again rather than Breakfast at Tiffanys!

      Ooooh! I don't really know that much about the code, but I find it really interesting that there was a window of, um, naughtiness and then suddenly it was like 'NOPE! No more sex for you!' Very strange times.

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  6. To do:

    - Read Breakfast at Tiffany's
    - Re-watch Breakfast at Tiffany's
    - Read Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M.

    LIKE I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TO DO LAURA. (I kid. This sounds great.)

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    1. THOSE THREE THINGS ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN ALL THE OTHER THINGS YOU WERE GOING TO DO! (I mean, probably).

      This is the kind of book where I know people probably aren't going to buy it (unless they're OBSESSED with Breakfast at Tiffany's, like all good people) but I WANT TO LEND IT TO EVERYONE because everyone needs to know the awesomeness of this book. And the film. And everything.

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  7. I'm glad you read this with really static eyes. I am going to make that a phrase.

    I know OF Breakfast at Tiffany's but I have never seen it or read the book. I'm sorry. I will fix that...eventually

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  8. I love both the book and the film of Breakfast at Tiffany's so clearly I have to add this to my wishlist. Sounds excellent.

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  9. Do check this blog http://goo.gl/hkzfSR. It talks about 15 things that you might have not known about Audrey Hepburn.You indeed are an Audrey fanatic when you know all the “things you don’t know about Audrey Hepburn”.

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