--- title: "My Fair Lady: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/my-fair-lady/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/my-fair-lady" critics_score: 77 critics_reviews: 11 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # My Fair Lady (1964): what the critics said Critics' score 77 from 11 reviews: 9 positive, 0 mixed, 2 negative. ## Radio Times — Tony Sloman Rating 5/5. This sumptuous adaptation won eight Oscars with superb performances from Harrison and Holloway. Hepburn is wonderful as Eliza despite not being coarse enough initially, and Cukor preserves the theatricality with elegance and taste to provide a joyful experience. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-nwgidb/my-fair-lady/) ## Empire — empire Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. The critic praises the film as wonderfully stylish, wittily scripted and immaculately cast. Audrey Hepburn's transformation is highlighted as a timeless, captivating classic. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/fair-lady-review/) ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2006. Ebert finds the film a visual and verbal triumph that holds up beautifully, praising its literate screenplay, performances, and Cecil Beaton's designs while noting the legendary casting controversy around Audrey Hepburn versus Julie Andrews. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-my-fair-lady-1964) ## The Guardian — Alistair Cooke Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 23 October 2014. The critic praises the film as a great one, highlighting Jack Warner, George Cukor’s direction that preserves the romanticism, Cecil Beaton’s designs, and especially Audrey Hepburn’s sensitive, poignant performance as Eliza that adds unexpected depth and pathos. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/oct/23/my-fair-lady-audrey-hepburn-archive-1964) ## The Hollywood Reporter — James Powers Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 21 October 2016. The critic calls the film a fabulous musical that surpasses its stage origins as an exquisite and unique gem of filmmaking. They single out its breathtaking visual beauty in Technicolor, Cukor's crisp direction, and the witty, sentimental story with strong performances from Rex Harrison and Audrey Hepburn. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/my-fair-lady-1964-film-939823/) ## Variety — Robert J. Landry Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 27 October 1964. Landry calls the film a stunning screen entertainment and Hollywood at its best, praising Rex Harrison and Cecil Beaton's designs as standout contributions along with the overall production values and direction by George Cukor. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1964/film/reviews/my-fair-lady-2-1200420692/) ## The New Yorker — Brendan Gill Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 24 October 1964. Gill is surprised and delighted by how well the stage musical translates to screen, singling out Audrey Hepburn's fresh take on Eliza and Rex Harrison's even stronger Higgins performance. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1964/10/31/forever-wilt-thou-love) ## The Times — Stephen Dalton Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 10 April 2004. The review calls the 1964 film a sumptuous, best-loved screen musical and praises the special edition’s visual quality from digital restoration along with its witty, infectious tunes and charming cast including Rex Harrison and Audrey Hepburn. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/theatre-dance/article/my-fair-lady-special-edition-u-lrq97fcp9wm) ## Sight and Sound Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). Cukor directs with tact and care for the source material but with unnecessary circumspection and a steady pace that inhibits the film. Rex Harrison's definitive Higgins stands out amid sumptuous but flat decor and Hepburn's limitations as the guttersnipe Eliza. [Read the review](http://old.bfi.org.uk/features/ultimatefilm/chart/details.php?ranking=79) ## Time Out — GA Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 10 September 2012. Cukor transfers the musical effectively to the screen with sumptuously impressive sets, costumes, photography and choreography, and Harrison makes a fine arrogant Higgins. Hepburn is awkward as the Cockney Eliza in the first half and the adaptation is a little too reverential to really come alive. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/my-fair-lady-1) ## Collider — Matt Goldberg Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 28 May 2021. The critic praises the film's lavish production values and enduring appeal as a classic Hollywood musical, highlighting the strong performances and memorable songs. The review singles out the meticulous sets and costumes for particular admiration in the context of the new transfer. [Read the review](https://collider.com/my-fair-lady-4k-review/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/my-fair-lady.md