SpuffyWeb Sadly Over-hyped

Protraph Lack of good storyline.

Console best movie i've ever seen.

Tayyab Torres Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

Michael_Elliott Sabrina (1954) *** 1/2 (out of 4) Insanely delightful romantic-comedy from Billy Wilder about Sabrina (Audrey Hepburn), a chauffeur's daughter who has always loved David Larrabee (William Holden), the son of the man her father works for. When she returns from Paris the youngest son begins to have a thing for her but he's promised to another woman and there's a major deal on the line. Older and much more mature brother Linus (Humphrey Bogart) decides to take Sabrina out until the deal is complete but soon he finds himself falling in love.Wilder made so many great movies in his career that it's easy to overlook some of the ones that are meerly "good" or very good. SABRINA is a film that often gets overlooked when one discusses the director's career and that's a little shocking because this is an extremely good movie that works on all levels. Not only is the film extremely funny but it's incredibly romantic, charming and the director's master touch is scattered throughout the material. Not to mention you've also got three legends in the picture! To me the film shows what a brilliant director Wilder was because it's true that the story is pretty much a small fairy tale that Hollywood did every year. There was always some sort of romance dealing with a dreaming girl and an overworked man who put love on the back burner. Wilder's touches throughout the film are obvious and it's really remarkable to see how well this material works. As I said, there are some very funny moments scattered throughout the picture but there's also a bit of intensity because you really do want to see the story work in the favor of the Bogart character. The way Wilder managed to make the romance work so well is a real strong inducator to what type of director he was.As far as the cast goes, rumor has it that Bogart hated this role and the movie because he felt he was too old to be romancing such a young girl. You know, he was probably right but the film is so well-made and the performances are so great that this here really isn't an issue as you watch the picture. Bogart really comes across well here and he manages to play the broken-hearted quite well. Hepburn is wonderfully charming in a type of role that she is best remembered for. Bogart and Hepburn certainly have a burning chemistry that jumps off the screen. Holden is also extremely funny in his bit as the playboy. There's also some great supporting performances from John Williams, Walter Hampden and Francis X. Bushman.SABRINA does run on a bit too long but there's still no question that Wilder does a fantastic job, the romance is perfect and the three leads are simply divine.

SimonJack "Sabrina" is one of the last films of Humphrey Bogart and one of the early films of Audrey Hepburn. Despite the 30 years difference in their ages (54 and 24), their match in this film works mainly because the plot doesn't have them as star-struck lovers. It doesn't even have them as a match, but as almost distant acquaintances until toward the end. The "romance" works as a gradual mature respect and attraction on her part, and letting down one's barriers against a personal life on his part. The film is billed as a comedy, romance and drama. Those who watch this film mostly for the romance may miss something in the drama. For, "Sabrina" clearly is a film about classes, and the very distinct boundaries, especially between employers and servants. And, it shows this as a cultural separation deemed an absolute must amidst the professional servants class as well as among the employers. Sabrina's father, Thomas the chauffeur (played superbly by John Williams), epitomizes this. However, the attention to such class separation is treated here lightly and with some humor. Oddly enough, though, children of servants are regarded somewhat differently among the employers. Although the parents would have them follow in their footsteps, to the employers they are in a sort of free state of their own. At least, that's how it appears in this film. There likely has been so little else paid to such situations – professional servants with families (mostly old European and early American), because so few marry and even fewer have children. The culture being what it is, this film has some nice scenes of the social life of the super wealthy. And of the spoiled children of the wealthy in the playboy David Larrabee (William Holden), and the straight- laced all business caretaker of the family name and fortune, Linus Larrabee, played by Bogart. Hepburn's Sabrina – at least 10 years junior in the film to Holden's character, grows up pining for the handsome, fun- loving, partying David. Her's is a clear example of puppy love, infatuation or a crush. Only when she is sent away to study in Paris (top chef's school to be a cook as was her mother) for two years, does she grow into young womanhood, develop some refinements and become molded to be influenced by maturity and emotions beyond puppy love. But, she still thinks she loves and wants David, and it will take some time for her to change in her ways. Most of the comedy and the drama is in the plot from there on. All of the characters are very good. For the little time he is on screen, Walter Hampden is very funny as Oliver, the retired patriarch of the Larrabee clan. Here are some lines of humor from the dialog. Linus, "You make it sound so vulgar, David, as if the son of the hot dog dynasty were being offered in marriage to the daughter of the mustard king."David, "Just one thing you overlooked. I haven't proposed and she hasn't accepted." Linus, "Oh, don't worry. I proposed and Mr. Tyson accepted." David, "Did you kiss him?"David, "Oh, you make me feel like a heel. If I don't marry Elizabeth, some kid's going to be running around Puerto Rico barefoot with cavities in his teeth."Thomas, "Democracy can be a wickedly unfair thing, Sabrina. Nobody poor was ever called democratic for marrying somebody rich."Oliver, "All columnists should be beaten to a pulp and converted back to paper."

genevaking-26857 A classic love story portrayed with a star-studded cast is a category where the 1954 version of "Sabrina" can be found. A girl of lower standing desperately in love with the neighborhood boy from high society while his family disapproves any union between them due to a business-related marriage already in the works. Who wouldn't want to watch this black-and-white love story?This movie is made even more appealing because of who was cast for the lead roles. The lovely Audrey Hepburn—most known for her role as Holly Golightly in "Breakfast at Tiffany's"—plays the female lead, Sabrina Fairchild, as she brings to light the challenges between social standing and love; the dashing Humphrey Bogart—known for his role in the tragic love story "Casablanca"—plays the older brother, Linus Larrabee, who steps in to woo away the unforeseen complication from Sabrina's transformation; and the ever charming William Holden plays David Larrabee, the boy Sabrina has been in love with her whole life. If the music is where you find the most beauty in films, you will not be disappointed. "Sabrina" utilizes adaptations of songs from La Vie En Rose to Isn't it Romantic with Hepburn singing bits of the French version of La Vie En Rose. Each piece fits beautifully with each scene, allowing for audiences to enjoy the accompaniment without feeling like it was too much all at once. If you have not already, or if you have only seen the remake of "Sabrina", I encourage you to watch the original. If nothing else, you have spent 113 minutes of your life watching a classic love story.

grantss The Larrabees are a wealthy family, living in a palatial estate on Long Island. Oldest brother Linus (played by Humphrey Bogart) is the formal, dour businessman, running the family company. David (William Holden) is a playboy. Among the staff living on the estate is the family chauffeur, Thomas Fairchild (John Williams), and his shy, awkward, plain daughter, Sabrina (Audrey Hepburn). Sabrina has had a crush on David for most of her life but he has hardly noticed her. Sabrina goes to study in Paris and comes back, two years later, a changed woman. She's sophisticated and beautiful and soon catches David's eye. However, David is engaged to Elizabeth Tyson (Martha Hyer), the daughter of a business mogul whose company Linus wants to merge with that of the Larrabees. If Sabrina wrecks the David- Elizabeth relationship it would likely spell the end of the business merger. Linus sets out to prevent Sabrina from getting in the way but in the process falls for her himself.Directed by one of the all-time greats, Billy Wilder, and starring Humphrey Bogart, Audrey Hepburn and William Holden this movie oozes class and style. Substance is in shorter supply, however. Plot is charming though a bit clumsy and not entirely solid. Some elements were too convenient or too contrived. Bogart and Holden were too old for their roles and Bogart seems overly stiff as Linus.However, Audrey Hepburn more than makes up for this, bringing beauty, sweetness, charm and elegance and lighting up the screen.Overall, a good romantic-drama, but hardly a classic.