Quartile rating: 7.5/10 · 1 rating
Holly Golightly is an eccentric New York City playgirl determined to marry a Brazilian millionaire. But when young writer Paul Varjak moves into her apartment building, her past threatens to get in their way.
Breakfast at Tiffany's endures largely on the strength of Audrey Hepburn's iconic, luminous performance as Holly Golightly, which elevates material that is otherwise a fairly conventional romantic comedy-drama. The plot is charming but thin, and its resolution leans heavily on melodramatic convention. Cinematography is competent and evocative of early-60s New York but not especially distinguished. Novelty is moderate — Holly as a character felt fresh for her era, though the film's tonal blend of whimsy and melancholy wasn't entirely unprecedented. The ending, while emotionally satisfying for many viewers, resolves the tension somewhat abruptly and relies on a rain-soaked declaration that borders on formula. Mickey Rooney's yellowface performance remains a significant blemish. A beloved classic held together primarily by its lead.