MovieChat Forums > Two for the Road (1967) Discussion > Hepburn is amazing, Finney is terrible!

Hepburn is amazing, Finney is terrible!

posted 19 years ago by imbluzclooby
14 replies | jump to latest

I truly believe that the casting of Albert Finney ruined this potentially great film from being a classic. His acting is so inappropriate along with his uptight British accent. The guy is CONSTIPATED. He acts and looks like he hasn't taken a sh** in a month. His theatrical background here is evident and he applies it here inappropriately. His voice sounds like he's constantly giving Hepburn (Joanna) orders. He just doesn't sound conversational. I was hoping that Hepburn would take an ice pick and drive it through his fat head. I watched Two For The Road with a group of people and everyone hated his character and his acting. But everyone loved and adored Audrey. If she can act with a stodgy prick like Finney, she can act with anyone.
I despised Finney so much after this movie that I was wishing to be transported through a time capsule and into the movie where I could wallop him in the face.
Anybody else feel the same way?

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] Landslide54321 19 years ago

I thought he was OK...He was a bit annoying like he thought he was hott sh*t but other than that, I thought he was bearable.

"For me, the only things of interest are those linked to the heart."~Audrey Hepburn

Who~Dey!!!

[–] cinicapr 19 years ago

That's the character he's playing. Also, notice that a lot of the dialogue was dubbed or looped.

[–] ar87 18 years ago

Yeah, in some parts Finney is perfect, his chemistry with Hepburn is completely real (probably because they were actually having an affair). But at other times he's completely wooden and awkward sounding, and I think intentionally so. He's almost making a joke out of his dialogue sometimes, as if he is imitating the voices of actors in those old 40's gangster movies.

Paul Newman was the original choice and I wish they had gone with him. I'd have loved to see a Newman/Hepburn movie. Two impossibly good looking people. But then it may have been harder to understand why the two hated each other so much. Finney could play the "bastard" very well. It's harder for Paul Newman to be unlikeable.

[–] gds555 13 years ago

In response to ar87's October 29, 2006 comment, it was specifically Humphrey Bogart that Albert Finney was imitating. It was funny, but I thought he did it too many times. I kept thinking that this running joke would've been funnier if Finney had done several different voice imitations, the way Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon did in The Trip (2010). In fact, think of the comic chemistry there could've been if Audrey Hepburn could've tossed in some voice imitations of her own! That would've really made those scenes come alive.

I have to agree with the posters here who detested Finney's acting; and I didn't like Audrey Hepburn's acting any better. Furthermore, I felt zero romantic chemistry between the two of them. I didn't like the directing very much either: I found it heavily mannered in a way that hasn't aged well. I'd welcome a remake of this film that used the same basic plot and structure but with almost entirely new dialogue (maybe with a few discreet references to the original script), and with real film actors playing the lead roles. The biggest difficulty would be finding a composer who could write a score as charming, skillful, and effective as Mancini's was.

[–] SeanJoyce 11 years ago

In fact, think of the comic chemistry there could have been if Audrey Hepburn could have tossed in some voice imitations of her own!

I'm specifically thinking of a Kate Hepburn rejoinder a la The African Queen

http://jmoneyyourhoney.filmaf.com/owned

[–] murph24 13 years ago

No one could have played Mark Wallace better - a recognizable human being with recognizable flaws. Finney is da man.

Audrey Hepburn and Albert Finney, one of the greatest screen couples of all time -

http://d1g4sq00ps2bp3.cloudfront.net/entertainment/21222_2.jpg

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] elisedfr 13 years ago

Audrey gave a really marvelous performance in this -so very sensitive and spontaneous. But,as far as I'm concerned, Finney was more than okay. His character was not supposed to be the most clever and likeable of the couple -that was Audreys'duty-. At times, he appears plain selfish and inconsiderate. I think he suceeded very well in showing the contradictory emotions of Mark, his youthful wackiness, self-assurance and later, blasé tiredness. He managed to make him a rather pleasant guy, through it all. My only complaint about his casting was he actually looked older in the first flash-back than in the rest of the movie. Put the blame on the silly little hat he's wearing but with Audrey so juvenile -and she was older in real life!- it's a bit disturbing.

[–] rebekahrox 12 years ago

couldn't agree more. for much of his performance he distracted me right out of the moment. And that phony Humphrey Bogart impression! whose idea was that!? Totally Lame.

[–] swanstep 12 years ago

And that phony Humphrey Bogart impression! whose idea was that!? Totally Lame.

To be fair, that's the point: Mark's one of *those* guys who, among other things, thinks he's a great comedian and wit (think of David Brent in the original The Office (UK) for any even more intentionally cringeworthy example). And surely it's true that people who like to do stupid voices *do* tend to beat the few stupid voices they can sort-of carry off into the ground (driving everyone else crazy with it after a while). Mark's sort of endearing at times, but he's almost always irritating. That's the character.

[–] rebekahrox 12 years ago

I never thought of that, thanks. I doubt whether I will see this movie again, but if I do, I'll have to keep your insight in mind.

[–] murph24 11 years ago

Also keep in mind that people who frequently slip into imitations of someone else are often uncomfortable being themselves, and lack self-esteem. Despite Mark's bravado and seeming arrogance, I think he's one of those people; I always got the sense he'd be absolutely devastated if Joanna left him - certainly more than Joanna would be if Mark left her. It's clear Joanna has to constantly reassure him she isn't going anywhere; she even refers to it in the film's penultimate scene:

JOANNA: ...You go on about my leaving you, and I'm always still here. (a pause) Sure you don't want me to leave you?

MARK: Positive.

[–] Howlin Wolf 12 years ago

He has been good in other roles, but he annoyed me in this one...

Then again, they both did; the only reason Audrey gives a semi-reasonable impression is just in comparison with him, because he was so exceptionally irritating.

"Your mother puts license plates in your underwear? How do you sit?!"