I most enjoyed the combination of the play Pygmalion and the musical My Fair Lady mainly because I have never enjoyed a musical more in my life. I have probably only seen two or three, but I usually get really bored and annoyed with them. George Cukor's 1964 film, My Fair Lady, based on Alan J. Lerner and Frederick Loewe's 1956 musical play and George Bernard Shaw's 1913 Pygmalion, is such a great musical, and the story line kept me captivated.
Eliza's journey from the "gutter" to the middle class through the teachings of Higgins is very humorous. Audrey Hepburn portrays the character of Eliza perfectly. She is immature, loud, and obnoxious, everything that Eliza is supposed to be. I think the plot of this story is great! She goes from being in the "gutter" to having the chance to be anything and everything she can imagine.
I cannot decide which ending I enjoy more. Pygmalion made me happy that Eliza decides to leave Higgins; yet, when I saw the film, it also made me glad that she stays with Higgins. I enjoy both because at the end Eliza has gained self-confidence and is her own woman. She realizes she is a beautiful woman and carries herself with so much composure. The teachings of Higgins (Rex Harrison) show her the woman she can become, but in the end it is her who has to reach inside and build herself up.
This story is very inspiring; and, although Higgins has ulterior motives to win a contest, it shows how with a little effort, one person can alter someone
else's life for the better. Higgins thinks he will receive satisfaction from winning the contest; but in actuality, they both are winners--Eliza raises her potential, and Higgins has the satisfaction that he permanently changes someone's life for the better.