This film by Billy Wilder features beautiful B&W photography. Gary Cooper stars as a supposedly smooth womanizer (Frank Flannagan) who cares little for the women he beds. Audrey Hepburn plays a younger woman (Ariane Chavasse) who is intrigued by his intrigues and becomes personally involved.

Shot in France, the film conveys a cosmopolitan air that almost sells the idea that these two might connect emotionally. But Cooper is not smooth enough to pull if off (no surprise) and the relationship between the two does not convince. It's not an issue of age; it's about chemistry and personality. Bogart in "Sabrina" offered the same problem, though less so. As an example of another pairing that worked well despite a sizable age difference, consider Stewart and Kelly in "Rear Window".

Frankly, I'm surprised that such obviously poor pairings plague numerous films, but apparently some believe that box office draws can overcome such issues.

Parisian private detective Claude Chavasse (Maurice Chevalier) finds evidence of a woman cheating with the infamous American womanizer millionaire Frank Flannagan (Gary Cooper). The husband Mr. X (John McGiver) threatens to kill Flannagan. Claude's daughter Ariane (Audrey Hepburn) overhears the threat and calls the cops. When they won't help, she goes to warn Frank herself. She saves the day by pretending to be his date and falls for the older man. The next day, she returns pretending to be a nameless socialite with many lovers. He leaves Paris continuing his womanizing ways. After some time, he runs into the mysterious girl at a concert and she lies to him with a long list of former lovers. He hires Claude to investigate her.

It's a charming rom-com by the great Billy Wilder. Audrey Hepburn is adorable. Perhaps Cary Cooper is a little bit too old and not up to the standard at the time. It's more than the age difference. He's a little bit stiff and not that debonair. His character is quite cold and unromantic. The problem is that the older Cooper fits and it's harder for him to grow out of that cold character. It doesn't help that he's getting ill which would eventually kill him a few years later. However the list is hilarious and Hepburn is so very adorable with her fake french accent. She is so funny. It's a nice rom-com with a couple of really good laughs.

This is a very charming romance from director Billy Wilder. Much of its charm is due to the excellent acting of its leads--Audrey Hepburn, Gary Cooper and Maurice Chevalier. Much of the charm was due to the lovely script. And the whole thing was tied together nicely by exceptional direction and music. They just don't make them like this anymore.

Gary Cooper plays an aging playboy and from what I have read about his personal life, this wasn't any sort of a stretch. Oddly, Maurice Chavalier plays a French private detective who investigates unfaithful spouses--a serious departure from his role in GIGI! And Audrey Hepburn, who is certainly luminous and the star of this film, plays Chavalier's young daughter. Audrey is fascinated by her father's business and ultimately comes to meet playboy Cooper as a result of this odd obsession. However, she knows he cannot love her or care about her--as he is afraid of commitment and loves the carefree life. But, at the same time, given her sheltered life, he is most fascinating, so Audrey creates a false persona and convinces Cooper that she's been with lots and lots of men--and is sort of a younger female equivalent of him! Eventually, however, he is smitten and their romance becomes more serious--causing complications for both--he IS a playboy and she IS a naive young lady who certainly deserves better. How this is all wrapped up is where the movie really, really excels--and the ending is one that is sure to bring a tear to almost anyone's eye. A marvelous romance that is greatly underrated and practically forgotten. You've got to see this movie!

PS--Although the people from PETA would definitely not think it was funny, the scenes where the owner of the Yorkie keeps smacking it are hilarious. You've gotta see it to believe it!

PPS--John McGiver is terrific in a small supporting role--he's so gosh darn cute and contributed a lot of color to this film.