One of the most iconic films of the 20th century, Breakfast at Tiffany’s is considered a landmark film that is culturally and historically important related to Hollywood history. Based on Truman Capote’s 1958 novel of the same name, this 1961 romantic comedy follows the story of Holly Golightly, played by Audrey Hepburn. With its cinematography, New York essence and fashion pieces, this film is visually appealing and has become the poster image of 1960s America. Considering that cult classics as such are making a comeback with their remakes, it won’t be surprising to see Breakfast at Tiffany’s making its way into 21st century Hollywood.
In fact, in 2021 there was one legal battle between Capote and Paramount Pictures about the adjustment rights of Breakfast at Tiffany’s. With such news doing the rounds, it’s only a matter of time before a remake is officially confirmed. However, the question is how this masterpiece can benefit from a modern remake. With New York, the fashion industry and even the movie industry having changed dramatically over time, it is clear that a modern remake of Breakfast at Tiffany’s would look different from the original. But in addition to those elements, the story itself can also be good for a remake.
More diversity minus the racism
Even Breakfast at Tiffany’s While it played an important role in Hollywood history, it also illustrated the racism that was very apparent in 20th century Hollywood. Mickey Rooney’s portrayal of Mr. Yunioshi is one of the highest critical acclaim the film has received and for very obvious reasons. In Capote’s novel, Mr. Yunioshi’s character had more depth and meaning, but Edward’s conversion of the character into a slapstick character for entertainment purposes was a bad choice. Especially since Rooney’s use of yellowface to create a Japanese man who was angry all the time may have played on the stereotyping of Japanese culture. Therefore, a modern remake could correct this flaw by doing justice to Mr. Yunioshi’s character. This would mean a good cast of the character with an actor of Japanese descent and give the character its much-needed arc and depth.
The film would also benefit from the addition of a more diverse cast rather than the roster of an all-white cast. This would make it more recognizable and it could also give a more realistic picture of the diverse society we live in.
A feminist approach minus the sexism
Obviously, no one will be able to emulate Hepburn’s portrayal of Holly Golightly. Holly is not only lively, charming and cheerful, but her specific characteristics, such as her fast talking, uncaring demeanor and fearless nature, make her a unique character. However, the existence of a strong patriarchal presence in the film results in Holly’s authority and autonomy being stripped away. Holly is even presented as a “wild” and “untamable” woman, which would translate into an independent, strong-willed person trying to make her way around New York. However, the film ends with Holly being “tamed” by Paul Varjak (George Peppard), as she accepts his whole idea of ”people belonging together”. Additionally, when Holly is arrested, she has to rely on Paul and OJ to escape from prison.
If you look closely, Holly seems to be a strong female protagonist whose strength fades towards the end. A modern remake could change this approach by giving Holly her autonomy and making sure she has an ending that doesn’t make her “belong” to anyone but herself. From the beginning of the story, Holly dreams of being successful on her own and helping her brother Fred. Keeping this dream would allow her to continue being a strong female protagonist who might even influence other women.
Emphasis on social issues without romanticizing them
Besides the racist and sexist portrayals mentioned above, there are several other instances that will make you feel super uncomfortable while watching Breakfast at Tiffany’s. One is Holly’s relationship with Doc. Doc introduces himself to Paul as Holly’s husband, which shocks Paul (and the viewers) as Doc is clearly old enough to be Holly’s father. It turns out that Doc married Holly (then known as Lula Mae Barnes) when she was barely 14 years old. This then evoked the idea of underage marriage. What’s even more shocking, though, is that Holly is still “close” to Doc, even going so far as to apologize to him. Thus, the film has romanticized the idea of underage marriage, which is a very big deal even in the present day. A remake could certainly emphasize the dark nature of this issue rather than romanticize it.
The movie also romanticizes the idea of stalking as we see Holly being stalked by OJ and even Doc. However, she overlooks this and continues with the stalkers. As Reynolds points outthe film has “bleached from the dark themes of Truman Capote’s original story” and, as a result, viewers seem to forget that these are real problems facing young girls that put their lives at risk.
A glimpse of contemporary fashion and New York
In addition to correcting the original film’s wrong and problematic approaches, a remake could also explore 21st century fashion, especially New York. As the streets of The Big Apple have changed over the years, it would be fascinating to see its aesthetic in a modern version of Breakfast at Tiffany’s. In terms of the fashion industry, it’s clear that Holly could make a huge impact on the field by using it as an opportunity to show off the modern fashion world. It could even become an iconic representation of 21st century American fashion.