Independent Films, Film Profiles

Two for the Road (1967 film)
by Stanley Donen

Two for the Road is a 1967 movie directed by Stanley Donen about the twelve-year relationship between an architect (Albert Finney) and his wife (Audrey Hepburn). The movie was considered somewhat experimental for its time because the story is told in a non-linear fashion, with scenes from the latter stages of the relationship juxtaposed with those from its beginning, often leaving the viewer to extrapolate what has intervened, which is sometimes revealed in later scenes. The film largely takes place in France, with the central focus of each part being that the couple are travelling to the South of France on a road trip. Several locations are used in different segments, to show continuity throughout the 12-year period. The screenplay, written by Frederic Raphael, was nominated for an Academy Award.The film's theme song, Two for the Road, was composed by Henry Mancini, with lyrics by Leslie Bricusse. (The lyrics are not heard in the film.) Mancini, who composed many famous theme songs for films, including Moon River for Breakfast at Tiffany's, considered Two for the Road his favorite song.Cars featured in the film being driven by the couple include an MG TD, a Mercedes-Benz SL, a Triumph Herald, a VW Microbus and a Ford Country Squire.Now a successful and wealthy architect, Mark Wallace (Albert Finney) and his wife Joanna (Jo) Wallace (Audrey Hepburn) fly their white convertible Mercedes to Northern France, in order to continue driving to Saint-Tropez to celebrate the completion of a building project for a client, Maurice. Tensions amongst the couple are evident, and as they journey south they both remember and discuss several past journeys along the same road.The earliest memory involves how they first met on a ferry crossing when Mark was travelling alone and Joanna was part of a girl's choir. They meet again when Joanna's choirbus goes off the road and Mark helps get them back on the road. When the other girls get chickenpox, Joanna and Mark unexpectedly wind up hitchhiking south together.The next story tells how the 2 are travelling with Mark's ex-girlfriend Cathy Manchester (Eleanor Bron), husband (William Daniels) and daughter Ruth 'Ruthie' (Gabrielle Middleton) from the USA. Ruthie is not given any limits, and her behaviour frustrates Mark and Jo. Eventually Ruthie reveals the unkind descriptions of Joanna her parents have made in private. At this point Mark and Joanna decide to travel alone.Next the pair drive a new MG which begins to have exhaust troubles, finally catching on fire. On this journey Joanna announces that she is pregnant. They also meet the wealthy Maurice Dalbret (Claude Dauphin) and his wife Francoise (Nadia Gray). Maurice becomes a generous but demanding client for Mark.The next story shows them travelling with their young daughter Caroline (Kathy Chelimsky).Another time shows Mark travelling alone and having a fling with another motorist, but which is shown to be fleeting and unserious in nature. Later Joanna has an affair with Francoise's brother David (Georges Descrières), which is portrayed as much more serious than Mark's and threatens to end the marriage; however, while Joanna dines with David and they witness a couple eating together without saying a word, David asks, offhandedly, "What kind of people can eat an entire meal together and not talk?" Joanna replies, enthusiastically, "Married people!" and, realizing she misses Mark despite their faded passion, runs back to him.At the end of the film, the Wallaces manage to end their long-term relationship to Maurice and find a new client in Rome. They honestly analyse their fears and insecurities which have plagued them throughout the film. Finally, they cross the border from France into Italy. This is new ground for them as well as for the audience, signalling a move beyond the old issues into a more mature future.