Sabrina - Review

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Sabrina
Audrey Hepburn (as Sabrina) and Bogie (as Linus)	A delightful "feel good" film in which Bogie got to flex his comedic talents, Sabrina was a big hit at the time of it's release (nominated for 6 Academy Awards), and following on Bogie's dark performance as Capt Queeq in The Cain Mutiny earlier that very same year, it was a wonderful change of pace. Directed by the legendary Billy Wilder, who once again does not fail to please, Sabrina is a comedy/romance that explores the vulnerabilities of a young woman in love, and the superficial yet very real issue of "class divisions" which exist between the rich and lower classes in society. Bogie stars as the workaholic batchelor Linus Larrabee who has devoted his life to securing and advancing the family millions at the expense of romance and happinesss, while Wiliam Holden (co-starring as his irresponsible playboy brother David Larrabee) has done his best to spend them.
Audrey Hepburn also co-stars as the lovestruck Sabrina Fairchild. Sabrina, the family chauffer's daughter, has long had a romantic obsession for the handsome and dashing David Larrabee , but to her constant heartache David doesn't view her in that way at all, and still treats her as a kid, barely even noticing she exists. Sabrina's father, wishing for her to follow in her mothers footsteps, and concerned for her emotional wellbeing, arranges for her to study cooking abroad in France, and Sabrina, broken hearted, accepts the opportunity. In France Sabrina is befriended and "schooled" by a wealthy older gentleman, who assists her in polishing herself into a refined and cultured "woman of the world", and when she eventually returns home, she is quite the attention grabbing stunner. Now of course David Larrabee wants her, but it's a bit complicated as he's become engaged to marry (a very financially advantageous marriage for the Larrabee family) in her absence. And in addition to this, the family does not want the "servants daughter" marrying their son... So... Enter Bogie (as Linus) who takes it upon himself to as gently as possible "extract" Sabrina from David, save the girl's feelings, and the many millions the family stands to lose if the previously planned marriage falls through. Linus thinks he has it all worked out... But things don't go to plan at all! As much as this sounds like a very depressing scenario, it isn't, as all the characters, for all there flaws, are very likeable, and the results are highly entertaining, very funny and heartwarming. Again it's nice to see Bogie in a feel good film like this, and he does not fail to be entertaining, funny and endearing. Holden is brilliant as David Larrabee, and Hepburn brings her usual charm to her role. An excellent supporting cast tops off a wonderful film, and the direction by William Wilder is top notch. Shot in B&W. The DVD presents the film in it's Original Aspect Ratio of 1.33 to 1. Extra Features include: A well made and modestly in depth 11 minute "making of" feature. A Photo Gallery.