February 2022 Film Club Pick: Funny Face
If you are like me, and eagerly counting down the days until spring officially arrives, then you are in good company this year. Seriously, I have never been so over winter in my life! All the snow, ice, slush, freezing rain, sleet, and bitterly cold temperatures can end any time, and I will be perfectly fine… To that end, our February Film Club Pick is really the perfect escapist musical, featuring just enough spring-time blooms, a little glitz and glam, and a smidgen of romance, to put one in a much better, or at the very least ‘springtime,’ frame of mind.
But, of course, we, The Team here at The Film Rewind, love to stick with a theme and celebrate film milestones, so we are particularly excited to announce our film selection this month. Funny Face, which originally premiered on February 13, 1957, is celebrating the 65th anniversary of its release, so what better way to kick off February than with a viewing (or rewatch) of this Stanley Donen musical? You may recognize the director for his other cinematic, and choreographic, works, particularly On the Town (1949), Royal Wedding (1951), Singin’ in the Rain (1952), and (one of my personal favorites) Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954), but Donen was also known for some of his comedy and romcom films, like Charade (1963), and Funny Face winds up as a musical cross between several of the genres Donen was probably most well-known for.
This film stars Audrey Hepburn, Fred Astaire, and Kay Thompson, and features a variety of musical pieces by George and Ira Gershwin (creating an eclectic Gershwin brothers mix, pulled from some of their earlier Broadway musicals). From the upbeat musical numbers to the costuming, to the superb cast, and to the romantic Parisian backdrop featured prominently in this film, what is not to love about this classic Hollywood musical? We think that Funny Face is simply the perfect film to watch this month! Regardless of whether you might happen to be celebrating Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s Day, or simply eschewing all observed celebrations to snuggle on the couch with your cat, add Funny Face to your watch list and check back at the end of the month for our reviews and discussion of this romantic springtime movie musical!
What do you think of our February pick? How are you celebrating Valentine's Day this year? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and, as always, check back soon for more posts!
Copyright © 2022 Sarah Crane
