Rating: NR
Genre:
Comedy
Release Date: 01/08/2002
SubTitles: English/French/Espanol/Por
Dubbed: English
Sound: 5.1/1
Run Time: 130 Minutes
Flags: Suitable for Children
Distributor/Studio: Warner Home Video
Gary Cooper more or less repeats his international-roue characterization from 1938's
Bluebeard's Eighth Wife for the 1957 romantic comedy
Love in the Afternoon (both films were co-scripted by
Billy Wilder, who also directed the latter picture).
Audrey Hepburn co-stars as the daughter of Parisian private eye
Maurice Chevalier. Investigating the amorous activities of Cooper, Chevalier relates what he's discovered to cuckolded husband
John McGiver, who declares that he's going after Cooper with a pistol. Overhearing this conversation, Hepburn rushes off to rescue Cooper. She keeps him far away from McGiver by adopting a "woman of the world" pose. Cooper quickly sees through this charade; still, she is fascinated by Hepburn and attempts to relocate her after she disappears. Meeting Chevalier one day, Cooper relates the story of the Mystery Woman, never dreaming that he is describing Chevalier's daughter. Equally in the dark, Chevalier offers to locate the elusive Hepburn. Once he's tumbled to the fact that his quarry is his own flesh and blood, Chevalier advises Hepburn against contemplating a relationship with the much-older Cooper. She, of course, fails to heed this warning, setting the stage for an ultraromantic finale.
Love in the Afternoon is highlighted by a superb running gag involving a quartet of gypsy violinists, who insist upon dogging Cooper's trail wherever he goes-including a steam bath.
Love in the Afternoon was adapted by Wilder and
I.A.L. Diamond from the novel
Ariane by
Claude Anet.
~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide