I've mentioned in a previous entry that I'm an Audrey Hepburn fan, and that Roman Holiday and Breakfast at Tiffany's are two of my top three favorite Audrey films. There's a less popular movie of hers that completes my list, slotting between the two aforementioned entries: Two for the Road, in which she stars opposite Albert Finney.
Aside from the use of nonlinear narrative to demonstrate the finer and lesser points of a marriage over the years, Two for the Road is one of my favorite films of all time because it is an honest portrayal of married life through the story of main characters Mark (Albert) and Jo (Audrey), even providing one of the most spot-on definitions of marriage that I know: "Marriage is when a woman asks a man to take off his pajamas--and it's because she wants to send them to the laundry."
Not only his PJs, I wish to point out; also his shirts, trousers, handkerchiefs, and socks. And--God help all married women--his knickers.
[readmore]
We're warned against speaking too soon about the future, but I don't think I shall ever wish to marry; it'll never be on my "list of things to accomplish by the time I'm such-and-such age," as opposed to, say, going back to school and getting a masters degree. Or owning my personal island. (Well, a girl can dream.)
For me, marriage will come if it's meant to come, as naturally as breathing. I've never understood why some people regard it as a necessity, as if being single might well be the death of them. When I think about it, marriage might well be the death of me. Commitment is a terrifying prospect. I can't imagine being tied to one person for the rest of my life and not being able to make decisions without considering its effect on both of us.
Maybe it's because I'm too selfish with my privacy, time, and freedom as of the moment, having only gotten full rein of it when I finally started making a living for myself (let's not even talk about money, because I don't even have enough to make me want to be selfish with it). I'm the type of person who has to accomplish certain things alone before I even consider taking on the challenge of being in a relationship with another person. I will never be able to get into a relationship when I know I can't afford to put it above reaching my personal goals. I can't be selfish that way, and neither should anybody, I think.
Most importantly, I can't say I've met anyone I'll even consider getting serious with, much less marry. But again, I'll never be active in looking--it'll come if it's destined to be. A lot of people have grown old saying that, but so what? It's nothing to be afraid of. You just have to believe you're lined up for something else.
Besides, being an old maid is much, much preferable to being one-half of a failed relationship. And, if I may disclose a spoiler, Two for the Road's ending is a happy one, because in spite of the many challenges of married life, you can make it work if you have the right person fighting with you and for you. If not, flying solo is always an option--and you don't have to wash any knickers other than your own.
Aside from the use of nonlinear narrative to demonstrate the finer and lesser points of a marriage over the years, Two for the Road is one of my favorite films of all time because it is an honest portrayal of married life through the story of main characters Mark (Albert) and Jo (Audrey), even providing one of the most spot-on definitions of marriage that I know: "Marriage is when a woman asks a man to take off his pajamas--and it's because she wants to send them to the laundry."
Not only his PJs, I wish to point out; also his shirts, trousers, handkerchiefs, and socks. And--God help all married women--his knickers.
[readmore]
We're warned against speaking too soon about the future, but I don't think I shall ever wish to marry; it'll never be on my "list of things to accomplish by the time I'm such-and-such age," as opposed to, say, going back to school and getting a masters degree. Or owning my personal island. (Well, a girl can dream.)
For me, marriage will come if it's meant to come, as naturally as breathing. I've never understood why some people regard it as a necessity, as if being single might well be the death of them. When I think about it, marriage might well be the death of me. Commitment is a terrifying prospect. I can't imagine being tied to one person for the rest of my life and not being able to make decisions without considering its effect on both of us.
Maybe it's because I'm too selfish with my privacy, time, and freedom as of the moment, having only gotten full rein of it when I finally started making a living for myself (let's not even talk about money, because I don't even have enough to make me want to be selfish with it). I'm the type of person who has to accomplish certain things alone before I even consider taking on the challenge of being in a relationship with another person. I will never be able to get into a relationship when I know I can't afford to put it above reaching my personal goals. I can't be selfish that way, and neither should anybody, I think.
Most importantly, I can't say I've met anyone I'll even consider getting serious with, much less marry. But again, I'll never be active in looking--it'll come if it's destined to be. A lot of people have grown old saying that, but so what? It's nothing to be afraid of. You just have to believe you're lined up for something else.
Besides, being an old maid is much, much preferable to being one-half of a failed relationship. And, if I may disclose a spoiler, Two for the Road's ending is a happy one, because in spite of the many challenges of married life, you can make it work if you have the right person fighting with you and for you. If not, flying solo is always an option--and you don't have to wash any knickers other than your own.
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