My Fair Lady

Rating: 4.5/5

When setting out to watch every Academy Award Best Picture Winner, I'll be honest. I wasn't overly ecstatic to get to My Fair Lady. All I had ever seen of this movie prior to watching the whole thing, was the "I'm Getting Married in the Morning" scene, and I was not a fan. I had presumed the rest of the film would be similarly repetitive and obnoxious, but I was so happy to find myself proven very wrong.

I really, really enjoyed My Fair Lady. I watched this movie almost a month and a half ago now, and I still have had the songs blissfully stuck in my head almost daily. As a Julie Andrews obsessive, I had always had a bit of an issue with this movie, even though I had never seen it. I knew Julie Andrews had originated the role on the stage, and it really bothered me that the creators didn't deem her suited for the film version. But, because of their casting choices, we were blessed with Julie creating Mary Poppins for Disney, as well as a very humorous and charming Audrey Hepburn performance in My Fair Lady, so I suppose it all worked out somewhat in the end, though I still think Julie Andrews would've done marvelously had they given her the chance.

Audrey Hepburn, though no Dame Julie, is really wonderful as Eliza. Her character is one who could be seen is as slightly obnoxious if not performed well, but Hepburn makes her effortlessly endearing. And boy does she ever wear those costumes well. All the costuming in My Fair Lady is spectacular. Had this movie not won Best Picture, it would've been an absolute outrage if hadn't at least been awarded for its costume design. Thankfully, it won both, plus many more accolades, and deservedly so.

Had I grown up with My Fair Lady, I know it would've been a staple of my childhood favorites. I really wish I had seen it when I was younger, because it would've allowed me more time to fall in love with this absolutely charming and beautiful musical.

1965 Best Picture Winner - My Fair Lady

1965 Best Actor in a Leading Role Winner - Rex Harrison

1965 Best Director Winner - George Cukor

1965 Best Cinematography, Color Winner - Harry Stradling Sr.

1965 Best Art Direction - Set Decoration, Color Winners - Gene Allen, Cecil Beaton, & George James Hopkins

1965 Best Costume Design, Color Winner - Cecil Beaton

1965 Best Sound Winner - George Groves

1965 Best Music, Scoring of Music, Adaptation or Treatment Winner - Andre Previn