Hors de prix

Truman Capote's story of prostitute Holly Golightly in the sanitized but beautiful Breakfast at Tiffany's has become an icon in the romantic comedy genre. Hepburn's little black dress, the New York settings in the rain and music to die for are images and sounds that are burnt into cinematic history so much so that the thought of a remake would be totally unacceptable to most audiences, but a remake of sorts HAS been made and to be honest, it is not at all bad.

Hors de prix (2006) (English title Priceless)- shown at Theatre Clwyd this evening, is a sweet comedy/love story that only really works because of the charm of the two leading actors.

The only person that could come close to Audrey Hepburn's magical gold digger would be the delightful Audrey Tautou, so here she is as the cold-as- ice Irène who is eventually thawed by the love of a good man. Tautou compares well with her predecessor, and has that delicate and vulnerable charm that the role requires, but it is Gad Elmaleh in the George Pepperd role, ( who lookes like a sexy cross between Buster Keaton and Nicolas Cage) that really steals the whole film. He totally out does Tautou in the vulnerable looking stakes ( not a mean feat) and commands the camera's attention in nearly every scene. He is quit a find and is a inspired piece of casting.

Of course we don't have the the glossy look of the 1961 film, nor do we have "Moon River" (mine and Chris' song by the way)or indeed the wonderful Patricia Neal, but Hors de Prix, does give the audience something else..............it has a charm and a sweetness all of its own. I really enjoyed it