Breakfast at Tiffany’s Movie VS. Book: The Cat’s Tale
Breakfast at Tiffany’s is the movie that made me fall in love with Audrey Hepburn so many years ago. It’s taken me a very long time to get around to the iconic movie’s inspiration – Truman Capote’s novella. To my surprise, I noticed some slight (read: major) changes.
To be honest, all I could initially think about was the Seinfeld episode where George opts to (awkwardly) watch the movie instead of reading the novella for his book club. And given the differences, that must have made for a very interesting discussion at said book club.
Even with their vast differences, I think we can all agree both versions of “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” have their own unique charm, and Holly Golightly is an icon, in print and on film. This novella is one of the three books I chose for this month’s Books To Film, let’s get started, darling!
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Breakfast At Tiffany’s Synopsis (& Spoilers)
Meet Holly Golightly: a 19-year-old New York socialite with a mysterious past and an unnamed cat. She likes her mornings with a side of Tiffany’s window-shopping. She’s a woman who supports herself through socializing and charming wealthy men who shower her with money and gifts. But beneath her extroverted facade lies a past she’s trying desperately to leave behind.
The novella follows an unnamed narrator who’s often referred to by Holly as “Fred” – not because it’s his real name, but after her beloved brother. The story revolves around Holly’s whimsical and, often, heartbreaking escapades in the big city, her relationships, and the people she fascinates (and she surely seems to fascinate everyone).
Holly’s dream of finding a rich man to marry seems tangible when she becomes involved with José Ybarra-Jaegar, a wealthy Brazilian politician. Yet, Holly’s life takes a sharp turn when she’s arrested for her alleged involvement in Sally Tomato’s drug ring. José, fearing for his political career, decides to end their relationship.
Holly decides to flee to Brazil (pregnant), hoping to start anew. Before she leaves she releases her beloved unnamed cat into the streets of New York, leaving both the cat and “Fred” with memories and unanswered questions.
Breakfast At Tiffany’s Book VS. Movie
One of the most strikingly obvious changes to Breakfast At Tiffany’s is the romance between Holly and “Fred” aka Paul. In the book, Holly and “Fred” (I prefer him as Fred) share a purely platonic bond. There’s no romantic tension between the duo; they’re friends and confidants, definitely not lovebirds.
Now, the movie switches things up big time, pouring on the romance. Sparks fly, tensions rise, and amidst the New York backdrop and the timeless strains of “Moon River”, romance takes center stage. After all, what’s more cinematic than lovers reuniting in the rain?
In one of the movie’s most emotional scenes, Holly pushes the cat out of a taxi in the pouring rain during a moment of despair. This action serves as a climax that leads to her realization of her feelings for “Fred.” After Holly’s emotional revelation, she and “Fred” search for the cat in the rain-soaked alleyways.
The movie’s choice to build a romantic narrative required a reshaping of key elements from Capote’s original work. And who better than the nameless cat to bridge this transformation?
The Cat’s Symbolism
The cat in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” serves as a significant symbol in both the novella and the movie. While in the novella, the cat emphasizes Holly’s commitment-phobia and independence, in the film, it becomes a beacon of her journey toward love and self-acceptance.
This unnamed cat wanders into Holly’s life, just like Holly drifts in and out of the lives of those around her. Neither owned, the cat embodies Holly’s own free spirit and resistance to commitment. Their bond is mutual yet distant—two souls sharing space but never truly belonging to one another.
In the movie, the bond between Holly and the cat feels stronger, more personal. The namelessness remains, but the emotional connection is amplified. The cat isn’t just a symbolic creature; it’s Holly’s confidant and an extension of her emotions.
In the movie, the cat’s journey echoes Holly’s evolving relationship with Paul. When Holly releases the cat into the rain-soaked streets, it’s a pivotal moment of vulnerability. It signifies her fear of commitment, the walls she’s built against true intimacy. The desperate search and reunion with the cat isn’t just about a pet; it’s Holly acknowledging her need for genuine connection, mirrored in her acceptance of love with “Fred”.
Whereas in the novella, the cat’s fate remains ambiguous (like Holly). After Holly leaves, “Fred” spots a cat that might be the same one living in a warm home, suggesting that the cat found a place of belonging. It parallels the hope that Holly, too, found her own place in the world.
Breakfast At Tiffany’s: The Cat’s Meow
The cat, in both versions, embodies the themes of belonging and identity. However, while the novella opts for a more open-ended interpretation, the movie provides a clearer resolution that ties into its romantic storyline.
While we all adore the romance between Holly and “Fred”, it’s fascinating to see how integral the cat is to this transformation. Whether you’re Team Novella or Team Movie, there’s no denying the pivotal use of a nameless feline to navigate the depths of human emotion and connection.
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