Summertime

David Lean, 1955 (8.6*)
Beautifully shot soap opera as American spinster Katharine Hepburn (at her most beautiful), while traveling in Venice, strikes up a romance with married Rossano Brazzi. There's nothing deep here, but Lean's direction makes eye candy of both the city and both stars. This is one of the best and most palatable romances ever put on film. Lean never allows the melodrama to go beyond credibility; I'm sure most viewers have had a travel romance similar to this one.

David Lean, who would later helm best picture (and director) winners Bridge On the River Kwai and
Lawrence of Arabia, was nominated for a best director Oscar®, and he won the NY Film Critics award for director. Hepburn was deservedly nominated for a best actress Oscar® in one of her most credible and touching performances. This is a romance that I can watch over and over, which is rare for this type of film.