Roman Holiday
Metascore
76 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
view
per page
  1. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Staff (Not Credited)
    100
    The film has enough adventure and excitement to satisfy, and the faintly bittersweet note of the ending is made deliciously palatable by its artistic rightness.
  2. Variety
    Reviewed by: Staff (Not Credited)
    90
    [William Wyler] times the chuckles with a never-flagging pace, puts heart into the laughs, endows the footage with some boff bits of business and points up some tender, poignant scenes in using the smart script and the cast to the utmost advantage.
  3. ReelViews
    Reviewed by: James Berardinelli
    88
    It delivers on everything it promises, from the modern day reverse-Cinderella fable to a fabric of low-key humor. [Review of re-release]
  4. Empire
    Reviewed by: David Parkinson
    80
    Witty, warm and beautifully filmed by Franz Planer and Henri Alekan, it remains an unabashed romantic delight, with Hepburn particularly luminescent. [Review of re-release]
  5. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: A. W.
    80
    It is a contrived fable but a bittersweet legend with laughs that leaves the spirits soaring.
  6. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Ty Burr
    75
    The film itself is a classic of romantic wish fulfillment, exactly the sort of beautiful lie that Hollywood specialized in. [Review of re-release]
  7. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Dave Kehr
    60
    Wyler lays out all the elements with care and precision, but the romantic comedy never comes together - it's charm by computer. [Review of re-release]

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.0 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 12 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. NicoDaFlagburna
    9
    A sweet film, with unassuming and natural performances from all involved. It's not a clever film, it's here to entertain and there is enough humanity to captivate and make light of a serious situation. There is nothing more fascinating than seeing the newly liberated Italy, post WW2, through Hepburn's innocent eyes. It is simultaneously educational, filmed on location in Rome, and hilariously funny and Hepburn has never looked so magnificent on film. They certainly do not make films with such integrity anymore. 9/10 91/100… Full Review »
See all user reviews »