Appealing to Feminine Sensibilities
Jeffery Mingo | Homewood, IL USA | 09/27/2006
(3 out of 5 stars)
"The Biography series has covered many rich men (Rockefeller, Morgan, Gates, etc.), but this one was so much more interesting because of its subject matter. The Tiffanys were heavily rich men, but the son was an artists as well. The documentary begins and ends with Audrey Hepburn in Capote's "Breakfast at Tiffany's." The work is an equal mix of business and art. Unlike many Biography episodes that only interview men, this had female as well as male interviewees. With talk of jewels, art, painted glass, fashion, etc., this will appeal to many women and other feminine people.
The Biography series has covered man famous brothers (the Wrights and the Kelloggs, for example). However, this is the first where I've seen them cover father and son. They do so seamlessly. (I hope I don't end up giving them an idea to do such a work on the George Bushes.) Many Biography episodes include interviews from children and grandchildren, but this one speaks to two great-great-grandchildren.
Academics may like the discussion of a national identity here. There is a way in which the Tiffanys tried to imitate Europe and position themselves as different from Europe. Like the artist Louis David, they changed with the times to their advantage."