Essentials: Sabrina

I pooped a little

Year: 1954 (USA)
Genre: Comedy/Romantic Comedy/Screwball Comedy
Directed: Billy Wilder
Stars: Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, William Holden, Walter Hampden, John Williams, Martha Hyer, Nella Walker
Production: Paramount Pictures

Sitting down to watch Sabrina (1954) reminds me why there are so many posters of Audrey Hepburn, rolled up and ready for sale in any respectable big-box-mart or multi-media store. The image of her holding a ceramic cigarette holder, embroidered with diamonds and clad in satin is a famous tableaux from Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961).

But even before Breakfast at Tiffany’s she was a household name with her work in Funny Face (1957) and her first lead role in Roman Holiday (1953) for which she won an Academy Award. Despite her continued success after Breakfast at Tiffany’s in such films as Charade (1963) and My Fair Lady (1964), Sabrina remains in my mind the premiere showcase of the actress’s charm.

The story of Sabrina begins with the capable actress playing the titular character, a near invisible fixture in the world of the Larrabee clan. The Larrabees would be considered part of the 0.5% today. Sabrina narrates this fact as she describes them and their indoor and outdoor swimming pools and tennis courts respectively. She however is not a Larrabee but a Fairchild; the chauffeur’s daughter. Still she pines for, and is unhappily in love with the youngest son of the multimillionaire dynasty David (William Holden). David however has no interest in her and enjoys the life of a playboy while his older brother Linus (Humphrey Bogart) takes care of the business. Things change however after she returns from cooking school in Paris with a new air of elegance.

She also designs costumes for superheros

It is that elegance that makes Sabrina such a great film. Throughout the film Audrey Hepburn is dressed in a multitude of exquisite dresses and gowns. Rumored to have been designed by fashion master Hubert James Marcel Taffin de Givenchy, the Oscar for best costumes went to Edith Head a woman nominated 35 times over the course of a 57 year career.

The elegance of Sabrina even sinks into the crisp clear cinematography and set design. Billy Wilder shot the exteriors for the film along Long Island Sound. The area was considered a popular escape for 19th-century wealthy industrial barons, including Charles Pratt and his sons, J.P. Morgan, and F.W. Woolworth. They built large private estates along the island thus many in New York society dubbed the area the Gold Coast; a place where wealth and privilege came to unwind.

What? I can be funny

It was this corner of the world where Holden and Hepburn began a highly publicized love affair on-set. Meanwhile Bogart became increasingly belligerent. The part was originally given to Cary Grant who backed out last minute due to scheduling problems. feeling miscast, Bogart butted heads with Wilder but eventually came to appreciate his work on the film. And why wouldn’t he? His comedic timing and swarthy charm while unseen since The African Queen (1951), still hold weight. In fact, next to Hepburn’s magnetic smile, his wit and witticisms are the next best thing.

There was a respectable remake made in 1995 starring Harrison Ford and Julia Ormond, who as you know went on to do…well, nothing much. Not to say Ormond isn’t a gifted actress but the role of Sabrina Fairchild are some big heels few actresses can fill. Ford also produced the film which would lead one to believe it was really more of a vanity project than an attempt of a decent remake.

What's not to love?

Even with a remake soiling Sabrina’s legacy, the movie remains one of Hepburn’s strongest films. It's funny, its romantic, it has a lot of heart and its downright beautiful to watch. The script is sharp and witty and is bolstered by the comedic whims of William Holden and Humphrey Bogart. The film is further aided by Edith Head’s decadent costume design and stands as one of the biggest reasons to like the late, great Audrey Hepburn.

Final Grade: A