Two for the Road

1967

Two for the Road

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

83%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 18

84%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 7,939
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Movie Info

In preparing his romantic comedy Two For the Road, director Stanley Donen decided to utilize many of the cinematic techniques popularized by the French "nouvelle vague" filmmakers. Jump cutting back and forth in time with seeming abandon, Donen and scriptwriter Frederic Raphael chronicle the 12-year relationship between architect Wallace (Albert Finney) and his wife (Audrey Hepburn). While backpacking through Europe, student Finney falls for lovely music student Jacqueline Bisset, but later settles for Hepburn, another aspiring musician (this vignette served as the launching pad for the film-within-a-film in Francois Truffaut's 1973 classic Day for Night). Once married, Finney and Hepburn go on a desultory honeymoon, travelling in the company of insufferable American tourists William Daniels and Eleanor Bron and their equally odious daughter Gabrielle Middleton. Later on, during yet another road trip, Finney is offered an irresistible job opportunity by Claude Dauphin, which ultimately distances Finney from his now-pregnant wife. Still remaining on the road, the film then details Finney and Hepburn's separate infidelities. The film ends where it begins, with Finney and Hepburn taking still another road vacation, hoping to sew up their unraveling marriage. While critics did nip-ups over Stanley Donen's "revolutionary" nonlinear story-telling techniques, audiences responded to the chemistry between Audrey Hepburn and Albert Finney, not to mention the unforgettable musical score by Henry Mancini. Note: many TV prints of Two for the Road are edited for content, robbing the viewer of Finney and Hepburn's delightful "Bitch/Bastard" closing endearments. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Cast

Audrey Hepburn
as Joanna Wallace
Albert Finney
as Mark Wallace
Eleanor Bron
as Cathy Manchester
William Daniels
as Howard Manchester
Claude Dauphin
as Maurice Dalbret
Nadia Gray
as Francoise Dalbret
Gabrielle Middleton
as Ruth Manchester
Jacqueline Bisset
as Jackie
Judy Cornwell
as Pat
Irène Hilda
as Yvonne de Florac
Dominique Joos
as Sylvia
Kathy Chelimsky
as Caroline
Carol Van Dyke
as Michelle
Karyn Balm
as Simone
Mario Verdon
as Palamos
Roger Dann
as Gilbert
Libby Morris
as American Lady
Yves Barsacq
as Police Inspector
Helene Tossy
as Mme. Solange
Jean-Francois Lalet
as Boat Officer
Albert Michel Jr.
as Customs' Officer
Joanna Jones
as Joanna's Touring Friend
Sophia Torkeli
as Joanna's Touring Friend
Patricia Viterbo
as Joanna's Touring Friend
Olga George Picot
as Joanna's Touring Friend
Clarissa Hillel
as Joanna's Touring Friend
Cathy Jones
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Critic Reviews for Two for the Road

All Critics (18) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (15) | Rotten (3)

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Audience Reviews for Two for the Road

  • May 17, 2014
    The film chronicles several journeys in a couple's relationship. While the performances by Albert Finney and Audrey Hepburn are often delightful, the film's primary problem is its unevenness. It's occasionally hard to follow, and the mix of happy times and marital discord never quite finds its proper balance. Overall, there are parts of this film that are fun, but the film as a whole lacks cohesiveness.
    Jim H Super Reviewer
  • Oct 30, 2013
    An au courant account -by the swinging sixties' standards- of a relationship and the institution of marriage, shown through all its stages with lots of charm. From a narrative standpoint it might be a bit muddled, but Hepburn and Finney give the right touch of wit, chemistry, cynicism and joie de vivre for all to be pleased.
    Pierluigi P Super Reviewer
  • May 01, 2011
    Albert Finney is sososososo hot. This is what Shoot the Moon wants to be but isn't. I'm glad it ends happily - really, really glad.
    Jennifer X Super Reviewer
  • Feb 06, 2010
    TWO FOR THE ROAD (1963) Directed by Stanley Donen. Written by Frederic Raphael. A great cast, sparkling & amusing dialogue, Miss Hepburn's to-die-for wardrobe, beautiful, scenic locations, masterly direction.....unfortunately, all let down by the casting of Albert ?misery guts? Finney as the husband-come-sparring partner. I have never liked him much & this otherwise wonderful film only confirms what I have always felt about him....that he never found his true metier & always appears uncomfortable in the roles he portrays. Imagine my surprise when earlier this week, I read that the two actors had an affair during filming! It only makes the rest of this R/V seem even more ironic (...naive, perhaps?), as though I have completely failed to really ?see?. I shall still include it. I saw the film on 20/1/10 & wrote the R/V immediately afterwards, but have not had opportunity until today to add it to my Flixster site. OK...so, here goes..... Unfortunately, the lack of any chemistry between Finney & Miss Hepburn turns what could, & should have been a delightful, incisive, bitter-sweet romantic comedy into a ho-hum pedestrian effort. What a terrible shame. Couldn't they have cast Cary Grant? Even someone so much older but less abrasive like James Mason could have made this work. (OUCH!!) ***3 & a half out of 5 stars***
    mirabella 1 Super Reviewer
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