Pygmalion

Author(s): Michael
Location: Oklahoma

“Pygmalion”

Directed by Stephen Frears
Written by Robin Swicord
Original Score by Stephen Trask
Art Direction by Gemma Jackson and Trisha Edwards
Costume Design by Sandy Powell
Distributed by Miramax Pictures

Principal Cast:

Emily Blunt- Eliza Doolittle
Michael Caine- Henry Higgins
Dustin Hoffman- Colonel Pickering
Julie Andrews- Mrs. Higgins
Ryan Gosling-Freddy Eynsford-Hill
Angela Lansbury- Mrs. Pearce
Steve Carell- Alfred Doolittle

Tagline: “N/A”

Synopsis: The classic play Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw was adapted into a musical by Lerner and Lowe by the name of “My Fair Lady” and grew to monumental fame. When idealistic phonetics professor Henry Higgins (Caine) bets a fellow phonetics professor Colonel Pickering (Hoffman) that he can pass a mere flower girl, Eliza Doolittle (Blunt) off as a lady at Buckingham Palace after 6 months of teaching. After a few weeks, Eliza, Higgins, and Pickering visit Higgins’ elderly mother’s (Andrews) house to see how Eliza can present herself in public. At her house, Mrs. Higgins has a few guests there already including a young man named Freddy (?). Freddy and Eliza find it quite easy to talk to each other and both enjoy the others company. At a formal party, the guests determine that Eliza can’t be English simply because she speaks it as it was meant to be spoken, so they determine that she is Hungarian and of royal blood. After the party, the three retire to the Higgins abode and rejoice in celebration for Higgins winning the bet, although forgetting that Eliza is the one that accomplished it all. Enraged, Eliza leaves Higgins dwelling and is surprised to find Freddy sitting outside. Freddy and Eliza run off in a taxi and decide that they will call Mrs. Higgins in the morning to determine what to do. Eliza hides out at Mrs. Higgins house the next day and only to find that Henry and the Colonel has gone looking for her and ever have the police after her. Mrs. Higgins tells Henry that the girl had every right to leave and he must have frightened her. Higgins then explains how he found out and had the police after her. Following much discussion, Eliza announces that she is going to marry Freddy and departs. At the end, we see that Eliza has wed Freddy and has opened a flower shop and did after all, maintain a relationship with Higgins and Pickering.

What the press would say:

What do you get when you add amazing acting, a remarkable screenplay, marvelous direction, and Julie Andrews? Well, some might say Mary Poppins, but even though that also applies to that film, it also applies to the recent triumph of Pygmalion. Pygmalion is the play by George Bernard Shaw that was later turned into the highly acclaimed musical My Fair Lady. Stephen Frears gives the story a new approach and takes the witty dialogue and makes the words even funnier that they were just on the script. This brings me to talk about the hilarious script which was adapted by the lovely Robin Swicord, the clever and sharp conversation is just one of the few things that makes this adaptation worthy of an Oscar. Emily Blunt gives the performance of a lifetime as the cockney Eliza Doolittle. Emily has definitely defined herself as a serious actress now and deserves loads of praise for the way she was able to grasp the role and grasp the laughs. While she is able to gain laughs, she is also able to pry the tears out of your eyes and down your cheeks. As you travel though the film she matures into a duchess and by the end she is able to banter back and forth with Higgins so well it is compels you to be inspired. Oddly enough, Julie Andrews launched her career as Eliza Doolittle and now she is playing Higgins’ mother. Julie plays the part so well and gives a performance that rivals her roles as Mary Poppins, Maria Von Trapp, and even Eliza herself. She is bright in her character and deserves another Oscar for the piece of acting. Michael Caine also gives an amazing performance as the arrogant, Henry Higgins that is so amusing due to the script, his abilities and the direction he was given. The role of Henry Higgins gained Rex Harrison an academy award and it should also give Caine an Oscar simply because he pulls it off and makes the role his own. Dustin Hoffman provides yet once more a delicious bit of acting that is exactly what is needed in the role he was given. He treats Eliza so much better than Higgins does and the chemistry between all of the actors is simply extraordinary. Steve Carell also gives a hilarious performance as Alfred Doolittle that is sure to get him at least a Golden Globe nod. Overall this is an once in a lifetime piece of cinema, acting, direction, and writing that is rarely seen anywhere on the face of the earth.

For Your Consideration:
Best Picture (Miramax Pictures)
Best Director- Stephen Frears
Best Adapted Screenplay- Robin Swicord
Best Actress- Emily Blunt
Best Actor- Michael Caine
Best Supporting Actress- Julie Andrews
Best Supporting Actor- Dustin Hoffman
Best Supporting Actor- Steve Carell
Best Art Direction- Gemma Jackson and Trisha Edwards
Best Costume Design- Sandy Powell