My Fair Lady (1964)

My Fair Lady (1964) is a sparkling, witty musical-drama that follows imperious phonetics professor Henry Higgins as he wagers he can transform Cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle into a polished lady who can pass in high society. What begins as a playful experiment—full of comic clashes and sharp one-liners—becomes a touching story of self-discovery, pride, and the unexpected bonds that form between two very different people. Watching the film you’ll get lavish period costumes and sets, tuneful Broadway numbers, and crisp, theatrical performances: Rex Harrison’s famously exacting, talk-sung Higgins and Audrey Hepburn’s luminous, vulnerable Eliza (whose journey from gutters to ballrooms is both funny and affecting). Expect memorable songs such as “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly,” “The Rain in Spain,” and “I Could Have Danced All Night,” moments of physical comedy, and some stirring vocal peaks that punctuate Eliza’s growing confidence. Tonally the movie shifts between light-hearted comedy and quieter emotional beats. You’ll laugh at Higgins’s arrogance and social satire, cheer as Eliza gains poise and agency, and feel the tension of a romance that isn’t straightforward—culminating in a finale that’s both satisfying and bittersweet. Overall, My Fair Lady offers a rich, entertaining theatrical experience: charming, stylish, musically delightful, and emotionally resonant.

Actors: Audrey Hepburn, Rex Harrison, Stanley Holloway

Director: George Cukor

Runtime: 170 min

Genres: Drama, Family, Musical

7.6 /10 95 /100 7.7 /10 8.3 /10