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209 reviews for:
Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M.: Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany's, and the Dawn of the Modern Woman
Sam Wasson
3.64 AVERAGE
209 reviews for:
Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M.: Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany's, and the Dawn of the Modern Woman
Sam Wasson
3.64 AVERAGE
informative
reflective
medium-paced
“Breakfast at Tiffany’s is not a love story. It’s a story about love.”
5th Avenue, 5 A.M. - Sam Wasson
This is a dazzling chronicle of how "Breakfast at Tiffany’s" went from Truman Capote’s daring little novella to one of the most iconic films in Hollywood history. More than just behind-the-scenes gossip, Wasson reveals the cultural shifts, studio politics, and personal gambles that turned Holly Golightly into a symbol of modern womanhood and Audrey Hepburn into an eternal star.
This is a dazzling chronicle of how "Breakfast at Tiffany’s" went from Truman Capote’s daring little novella to one of the most iconic films in Hollywood history. More than just behind-the-scenes gossip, Wasson reveals the cultural shifts, studio politics, and personal gambles that turned Holly Golightly into a symbol of modern womanhood and Audrey Hepburn into an eternal star.
As the premiere Hollywood historian working today, Wasson has become an instant autobuy author for me. Even when I know little about the subject (or think I’m not entirely interested) his books always leave me deeply satisfied, smarter, and more in love with cinema’s golden stories. His style is both rigorous and playful, which makes reading him a rare joy.
One of the many delicious details Wasson uncovers is that Truman Capote originally wanted Marilyn Monroe for the role of Holly, not Audrey (which if you think about Marilyn's life compared to Holly's makes a lot of sense). The film ultimately ended up in the hands of director Blake Edwards (perhaps better known as Julie Andrews’ husband), who infused it with the glossy elegance and bittersweet tone we now can’t imagine it without.
Wasson also smartly contrasts the film with Capote’s novel. Where the source material was sharper, queerer, and far more provocative, Hollywood’s Tiffany’s polished things down into something “romantic” and marketable for 1961. In fact, Wasson makes it clear that Tiffany’s is nothing compared to the raw daring of its novel, a work that remains much more radical in its depiction of identity and desire. The film is beloved, yes, but undeniably way less gay than Capote’s vision.
In the end, "5th Avenue, 5 A.M." is not just a history of a movie, it’s a portrait of a cultural moment, of how art is shaped, compromised, and immortalized. For lovers of film, Hollywood lore, or simply great storytelling, Wasson once again proves why he stands alone in his field.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexual content, Cultural appropriation
funny
informative
reflective
fast-paced
A Christmas present from my hubby, who ended up reading it aloud to me before bed this month. Given that we've finished with it already, and he didn't read every night, you can see that it's a quick, light read. My spouse picked it up because of its claims that BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S reflected/contributed to the rise of a "new woman"—a woman who could live alone in the city, and have sex without being considered a villain or dying—i.e., the first hints of a city-based white feminism. The book ended up being far less a cultural study, though, and more a gossipy inside look at the planning and filming of the movie. Made me feel so sorry for Audrey Hepburn, a lovely lady whose first husband was verbally controlling/abusive.
Also made me want to go and re-watch TWO FOR THE ROAD, a film I saw in college and remember saying in response "I want my marriage to be just like that!"
Also made me want to go and re-watch TWO FOR THE ROAD, a film I saw in college and remember saying in response "I want my marriage to be just like that!"
informative
reflective
fast-paced
This was a former DNF that I wanted to give another go. I chose to listen in audio form this time and didn’t find it any more interesting than I did several years ago. I kept reading as it was a quick listen and I really did want to enjoy it. Breakfast at Tiffany’s is one of my favorite films and I wanted to learn more about how it was made and its cultural impact. Instead, this book reads more like a Hollywood gossip column with very little substance and a lot of speculation.
My biggest takeaway was realizing that the way I’ve interpreted the film has been, evidently, vastly different than the majority of people. I’ve read Truman Capote’s original novella as well, which might have influenced some of my perspectives without my realizing it, but I’ve never thought of the film as a gateway to the ‘sexual revolution’ of the 1960s. Of course, this could also be in part of being born decades later, but for me, the film has always been more about the lost souls of the characters and it being a story of how they try to come into themselves in an overwhelming world. Holly's lifestyle (and Paul's for that matter) has always appeared to me to be a harsh reality, not something that would ever inspire me to take on that lifestyle let alone empower me. She lives a sad life, and it's only when she accepts the honest love of another that she can begin to feel free. (This is all based on the film, not Capote's original work.)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Cultural appropriation
An interesting and quick read about the making of Breakfast at Tiffany's.
Very interesting look at the making of this movie. Probably limited appeal for non Hepburn fans.
It's hard to watch Breakfast at Tiffany's today & not wonder what all the fuss was about. This light-weight & lazily written behind-the-scener falls squarely in the cult of Audrey Hepburn, marveling as Paramount’s doe-eyed ingénue transforms into Truman Capote’s semi-prostitute party girl. Some fun tidbits. (Director Blake Edwards literally got on his knees & begged producers not to cast George Peppard; Henry Mancini’s Moon River was nearly an 11th hour casualty.) Best scene: Mickey Rooney’s blatantly racist turn as a buck-toothed Japanese landlord enrages Akira Kurosawa.
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
Fifth Avenue 5 A.M.: Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and The Dawn of the Modern Woman by Sam Wasson is the back story about the writing of and eventual production of Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Wasson also delves into how Breakfast at Tiffany’s helped shaped the modern woman and usher in the sexual revolution of the 60′s.
Beginning with Capote writing the short story Breakfast at Tiffany’s and ending with the reception of the film version, the book chronicles the long arduous journey from short story to produced film. Fifth Avenue discusses all the ways that Breakfast at Tiffany’s helped usher in the ideals that shaped a modern woman. The ideas that a woman could be in control of her own sex life, work, and be independent.
Sam Wasson articulates his thoughts and points beautifully. He takes all of these fantastic bits and pieces of knowledge about the story writing, screenplay writing, costume design, lighting, character casting, just everything and molds it into a narrative that flows from beginning to end. The reader can definitely feel his love and appreciation for Tiffany’s through this work.
One of my favorite things about the novel are the sections about how it influenced pop culture and society. As a HUGE film fan I absolutely love reading about the power that films have to impact our lives. To read about how the film influenced modern culture and also how it’s choice of leading lady helped lead a feminist revolution was awesome.
I find it really interesting that a lot of modern cultural references to the empowerment of women, such as Sex and the City and 9 to 5, can trace their roots to the image of a strong and confident Holly Golightly. The way the book analyzes what made Holly Golightly such a new female is very interesting.
I cannot recommend this book enough. You will not be disappointed!
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
http://lifeand100books.wordpress.com/2011/01/06/1-a-review-of-fifth-avenue-5-a-m-by-sam-wasson/
Beginning with Capote writing the short story Breakfast at Tiffany’s and ending with the reception of the film version, the book chronicles the long arduous journey from short story to produced film. Fifth Avenue discusses all the ways that Breakfast at Tiffany’s helped usher in the ideals that shaped a modern woman. The ideas that a woman could be in control of her own sex life, work, and be independent.
Sam Wasson articulates his thoughts and points beautifully. He takes all of these fantastic bits and pieces of knowledge about the story writing, screenplay writing, costume design, lighting, character casting, just everything and molds it into a narrative that flows from beginning to end. The reader can definitely feel his love and appreciation for Tiffany’s through this work.
One of my favorite things about the novel are the sections about how it influenced pop culture and society. As a HUGE film fan I absolutely love reading about the power that films have to impact our lives. To read about how the film influenced modern culture and also how it’s choice of leading lady helped lead a feminist revolution was awesome.
I find it really interesting that a lot of modern cultural references to the empowerment of women, such as Sex and the City and 9 to 5, can trace their roots to the image of a strong and confident Holly Golightly. The way the book analyzes what made Holly Golightly such a new female is very interesting.
I cannot recommend this book enough. You will not be disappointed!
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
http://lifeand100books.wordpress.com/2011/01/06/1-a-review-of-fifth-avenue-5-a-m-by-sam-wasson/
Perfect timing; the Library of Congress accepted the film Breakfast at Tiffany's into the US National Film Registry just as I finished Fifth Avenue, 5 AM. Breakfast at Tiffany's (both the film and the novella) marks a turning point in US pop culture, fashion, politics, morality and sensibility by both reacting to and commenting on the values of the last few years, as well as subtley (or maybe not so subtley) directing our gaze for years to come. Wasson's Fifth Avenue is a delicious, uproarous examination of the iconic film and its iconoclastic inspirations, unpacking the film's worth and providing plenty of amusing anecdotes of Hepburn and Capote. At his best, Wasson can (re)create scenes so zany they would fit seamlessly into the world of Holly Golightly, stories that are hilarious, tragic and conflicted all at once. A little shallow at times, but always enjoyable, Fifth Avenue is the best "junk food book" I've read in a long time.