I love this movie so much

Bad Acting and worse Bad Screenplay

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

Two for the Road is directed by Stanley Donen and written by Frederic Raphael. It stars Albert Finney and Audrey Hepburn. Music is by Henry Mancini and Christopher Challis is the cinematographer. Film basically deconstructs in non-linear fashion the relationship between Joanna (Hepburn) and Mark Wallace (Finney). Set out on the road as the couple meet, go on vacation, fall out and make up, narrative is threaded over a 12 year period.Donen and Raphael have crafted a picture that takes the many emotional strands of man and woman relationship, and lays them out bare for us all to see. It's this honest like approach, coupled with the two watchable lead actors, that really engages me personally. There's moments of fun, slapstick even, but these are always coupled to an onset of sadness or regret, making this neither comedy or drama, but a near perfect fusion of the two; or bittersweet to coin an actual term. Mancini's music is sweet and breezy, the title track apparently one of his personal favourites, while Challis' Panavision photography is often beautiful. There's some credibility stretching with Hepburn playing her younger self, and one on going gag is overcooked in the extreme, but Two for the Road still feels fresh and interesting to those willing to invest fully in the thematics of the human marital condition. Film also signs off with a killer bit of dialogue from the protagonists that you wont be able to forget. 8/10

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.

This film examines the troubled ten-year marriage of a tempestuous couple, moving about in time and place to paint a complete picture. Initially, the chronological jumping around is disconcerting and confusing. Eventually, however, the episodes add up to something interesting, providing an absorbing portrait of the rise and fall of a love affair. Donen goes a bit overboard with his cinematic tricks, trying too hard to be chic. Hepburn and Finney are excellent as the sparring couple. The scenes involving their friends (Bron and Daniels) are quite amusing. The latter couple has what is probably the most obnoxious, spoiled child ever put on film.

This story of the relationship between a naive young lady and a roguish young man is told through five road trips. It is not a linear narrative. Each trip takes place at a different time, representing the various stages of their relationship. The story isn't told in chronological order but the way the sequences juxtapose one another is cleverly done as it demonstrates the clear transformation, he deterioration of the relationship as the priorities of the two principle characters change.Donen is clearly influenced by European cinema as he adds a European quality to it. Yet, at the same time, Donen also subtly displays the influence of his own Hollywood background. The editing is solid, especially the timing of the cut from one trip (time) to another. The stunning cinematography beautifully captures the landscapes. Henry Mancini's score is spellbinding.There are the sharp witty dialogues that are so wonderfully delivered by the actors that the each repeated line has a different meaning. Albert Finney and Audrey Hepburn are transcendent as Mark and Joanna. Both actors superbly play off one another. For Hepburn this is a departure from the romantic naive young lady characters that made her famous. She displays Joanna's transformation with grace and gusto. Finney's self-centred Mark is less likable but at the same time, he's very real. In a cameo, Jacqueline Bisset makes a sensual and amusing appearance.'Two For The Road' explores a mature relationship of a fading romance. Yet, there is a strong connection, love, that binds them together. Mark and Joanna may not always be in love. They may not even like each other a majority of the time but they still love one another to stick together. Perhaps, Stanley Donan has directed his best movie.