In 1954, director Billy Wilder co-wrote with playwright Samuel A.
Taylor and screenwriter Ernest Lehman (who also wrote the delightful
North By Northwest) a delicious little trifle about self-
discovery and love. It starred some of the most prominent actors of
the day; Humphrey Bogart played Linus Larrabee, Audrey Hepburn was
Sabrina Fairchild, and William Holden portrayed David Larrabee. Forty-
one years later, director by Sydney Pollack and screenwriters Barbara
Benedek and David Rayfiel revisit Sabrina.
Having
recently reviewed The Princess Diaries, I was reminded that
there are very few basic romantic plots, and both these films share
two popular themes: the ugly duckling reborn as swan, and the girl
with a humble background finding happiness seemingly beyond her
station in life. The interesting twist here is that there are two
Cinderellas. The first is Sabrina Fairchild (Julia Ormond), daughter
of a chauffeur, Tom Fairchild (John Wood). He works for the
billionaire Larrabees who live in a castle-like estate on Long
Island's North shore. Sabrina's been in love with Larrabee son David
(Greg Kinnear) for as long as she can remember. She hid in a tree to
catch a glimpse of him as he seduced yet another woman on the dance
floor during one of his family's many parties. He seems like a
spoiled, irresponsible playboy who never gives Sabrina a second look.
She's too timid to approach him. The second Cinderella is in
the unlikely form of Linus Larrabee (Harrison Ford), David's older
brother. He is neither poor, nor is he forced to scour the kitchen
floor; Linus is a slave to career and business. Running and vastly
expanding the empire built by his father, he's obsessed with making
that next billion. Linus may be rich beyond avarice, but his soul is
withering. He doesn't even realize how desperately he's in need of
rescue.
When we first meet her, Sabrina is unsophisticated and
has little self-esteem. Her father wisely sends her off to Paris for a
year to work at Vogue as a photographer's assistant. He hopes that she
will gain confidence and find herself and, with any amount of luck,
get over her infatuation with David. While she's away, David meets and
falls in love with a woman very unlike those he normally pursues.
Doctor Elizabeth Tyson (Lauren Holly) is a hospital pediatrician and,
initially unknown to David, quite rich. She's the daughter of Patrick
(Richard Crenna) and Ingrid Tyson (Angie Dickinson). Patrick runs an
electronic firm that is about to revolutionize video displays. As
David falls in love with Elizabeth, Linus falls in love with the idea
of a business merger, one that should prove to be his greatest coup.
David and Elizabeth become engaged. Linus and Patrick negotiate a
merger. In Paris, Sabrina, upon learning of David's plans to marry,
finally allows herself to grow. Her year away will end all too
soon.
When Sabrina gets off the bus in the Long Island town
closest to the estate, she recognizes David's Ferrari 348 Spyder
Convertible at the curb, a fresh parking ticket tucked under a
windshield wiper. He trots out of an art gallery and spots her. He
doesn't recognize her. The duckling has become a swan. When David's
attraction becomes clear to Linus and his mother - Maude Larrabee
(Nancy Marchand) - the older brother steps in to distract Sabrina long
enough to execute the mergers, both of them. Linus spends time with
Sabrina, sharing little intimacies he would never normally reveal. He
has no idea how she's influencing him; the hardened shell of the
ruthless businessman develops cracks. With Elizabeth away in
California, Linus and Sabrina and David orbit one another, feelings
shifting in unexpected ways. Will these two couples live happily ever
after? Will the billion-dollar merger get derailed? Did Billy Wilder
like happy endings?
This may be Julia Ormond's most appealing
role. She's lovely and vulnerable and open, with a soft veneer of
Parisian sophistication totally lacking in snobbishness. When the film
was released theatrically, I seem to recall that some reviewers
criticized Harrison Ford for his cold performance. I think they missed
the point. Linus had great responsibility thrust upon him; he didn't
have time for dating, romance, and gentler pursuits. That Ford was
able to convey his character's evolution to a more caring person
without betraying Linus' core is commendable; perhaps that's why he
was nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance. Greg Kinnear is
a pleasant surprise; he was pulled from a late night talk show stint
to demonstrate a light comedic touch. And Nancy Marchand is
delightfully crusty. Sabrina is a very satisfying fairytale.
Video: How Does The Disc Look?
The film's
theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1 is presented in anamorphic video.
This is merely a passable transfer. There seem to have been
registration problems as the film moved through the telecine; minor,
random vertical movement is apparent, particularly in the opening
credits. Edge halos are visible, but are only moderately intrusive.
The video has a slightly soft look; fabric textures and complexion
details cannot be seen clearly. The transfer is ever so slightly dark,
so shadow detail suffers. During the last sequence in the film, on a
dark Parisian street, Sabrina's hair and clothes are essentially a
uniform black. Color is fine with natural skin tones and no chroma
noise. I did spot a burst of mosquito noise surrounding Linus'
secretary at about 1:51:34, but in general, compression artifacts are
not a problem here.
Audio: How Does the Disc Sound?
The Dolby Digital 5.1 track indicated on the keepcase sounded very
much to me like Dolby Digital 2.0. I did not notice any surround
effects; sound effects simply support the story, so nothing special
there. John Williams' Academy Award nominated orchestral score is
light and airy and presented across a reasonable soundstage with a
pleasing fidelity. Dialog remains crystal clear throughout.
A
second English track is available in Dolby Surround, and a foreign 2.0
dub in French. The audio is supported by optional English subtitles
and English Closed Captions.
Supplements: What Goodies Are
There?
With the exception of a 1.85:1 trailer in anamorphic
video, there are none. There are seventeen chapter stops.
DVD-ROM Exclusives: What do you get when you pop the disc in
your PC?
No ROM extras have been included.
Parting Thoughts
I rather enjoyed this romantic
fairytale, as did my wife, so consider this a great date film. Made
for $58 million and earning back a few million less at the box office,
I'm sure the film was a disappointment to the studio. Perhaps it was
difficult to motivate an audience to empathize with a man who's filthy
rich? In any case, for $24.95 list, this is a bit less expensive than
your typical Paramount DVD, so it's a title worth considering.
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