Sabrina Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A chauffeur’s daughter goes to Paris, learns to cook, comes back hot, and suddenly the rich dudes who never noticed her before are fighting over her, jeopardizing a lucrative plastic merger!

🍿 Sabrina: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Sabrina’s Unrequited Love

Sabrina Fairchild, the chauffeur’s daughter, has always been infatuated with David Larrabee, the charming playboy son of her father’s wealthy employers. David, however, is oblivious to Sabrina’s existence, seeing her only as the ‘little girl’ who lives above the garage. Sabrina’s longing leads her to a suicide attempt, which is quickly averted, prompting her father to send her to Paris for culinary school.

A Parisian Transformation

Two years later, Sabrina returns from Paris a sophisticated and elegant woman. Her transformation immediately captures David’s attention, much to Sabrina’s delight. However, David’s engagement to Elizabeth Tyson, the daughter of a business magnate, threatens a crucial merger for the Larrabee Corporation. Linus Larrabee, David’s older, business-minded brother, steps in to prevent Sabrina from jeopardizing the deal.

Linus’s Intervention and Unexpected Romance

Linus initially intends to distract Sabrina from David but finds himself falling for her charm and intelligence. He feigns interest in leaving the corporate world behind and moving to Paris with her, leading Sabrina to believe she has found a kindred spirit. However, Linus’s plan is to ensure the merger goes through, intending to break Sabrina’s heart.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Sabrina Fairchild (Audrey Hepburn): The chauffeur’s daughter transforms from an overlooked girl into a sophisticated woman who captivates two wealthy brothers.
• Linus Larrabee (Humphrey Bogart): The elder Larrabee brother is a workaholic businessman who unexpectedly falls for Sabrina while trying to protect the family interests.
• David Larrabee (William Holden): The charming, but irresponsible younger Larrabee brother, initially the object of Sabrina’s affection, finds himself caught between love and duty.
• Thomas Fairchild (John Williams): Sabrina’s wise and supportive father is the Larrabee family chauffeur who encourages her personal growth.
• Oliver Larrabee (Walter Hampden): The Larrabee patriarch represents the old-money values and oversees the family’s business empire with a traditional mindset.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Sabrina: “Happiness is good for the corporation.” – Sabrina expresses her belief in the connection between personal well-being and corporate success.
• Linus: “I have no sense of humor. I only have a sense of money.” – Linus describes his pragmatic, business-focused personality, lacking frivolity.
• Sabrina: “Paris is for changing your outlook, Long Island is for marrying for money.” – Sabrina contrasts the transformative experiences of Paris with the pragmatic expectations of her original environment.
• Linus: “With a chauffeur’s daughter in the family, I’m ruined.” – Linus expresses his initial disdain for Sabrina’s social status, contrasting her with the family’s wealth.
• Baron St. Fontanel: “A woman happily in love, she burns the soufflé. A woman unhappily in love, she forgets to turn on the oven.” – The Baron gives Sabrina a lesson on love, illustrating how love influences a woman’s cooking.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2,238,813
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $2,635

💥 Sabrina Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely adore Sabrina! Audrey Hepburn is just mesmerizing, and the whole “Cinderella” vibe gets me every time. It’s like a cozy blanket on a rainy day. The scene where she’s learning to cook in Paris? I want to be her! And Bogart, surprisingly, makes my heart melt. It’s just a feel-good movie that I can watch over and over again. This film just oozes charm and wit! Sabrina just makes me want to go to Paris and find love.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic romantic comedies”
  • “Audrey Hepburn enthusiasts”
  • “Those interested in 1950s cinema”
  • “Viewers who appreciate witty dialogue and sophisticated storytelling”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Brief mention of attempted suicide”
  • “Mild thematic elements regarding social class”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Wilder directs with a light touch, expertly balancing comedy and romance. Hepburn is luminous, Bogart surprisingly charming, and Holden perfectly cast as the playboy. A delightful confection.
• The New York Times: “A Cinderella story elevated by Wilder’s wit and the charisma of its stars. While Bogart seems initially out of place, he delivers a nuanced performance. Hepburn is, as always, enchanting.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “Sabrina is a well-crafted romantic comedy that sparkles thanks to Billy Wilder’s direction, Audrey Hepburn’s charm and a surprisingly effective Humphrey Bogart.

Audience Reactions

Audrey Hepburn’s performance is magical, she truly embodies elegance and charm.: Hepburn’s captivating beauty and grace make the film a timeless classic.

The witty dialogue and clever plot twists keep me engaged from start to finish.: Billy Wilder’s sharp writing and direction elevate this romantic comedy above the average.

Overall Consensus: A delightful romantic comedy with stellar performances and sharp writing that remains beloved decades after its release.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Costume Design, Black-and-White)- 1955

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Cary Grant was Billy Wilder’s first choice for the role of Linus Larrabee, but Grant turned it down.”
• “Humphrey Bogart reportedly disliked the script and clashed with director Billy Wilder and co-stars Audrey Hepburn and William Holden during filming.”
• “William Holden and Audrey Hepburn had an affair during the shooting of ‘Sabrina’, which added to the on-screen chemistry.”
• “Edith Head won the Academy Award for Best Costume Design for ‘Sabrina’, but Audrey Hepburn maintained that her iconic wardrobe was actually designed by Hubert de Givenchy.”

🖥️ How to Watch Sabrina?

As a classic film, ‘Sabrina’ (1954) is available through various platforms. You can find it for rent or purchase on major digital stores like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for television broadcasts as well.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Sabrina, you might like these similar films:

• Roman Holiday (1953): Shares Audrey Hepburn as the lead in a romantic story about social classes and finding unexpected love.
• Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961): Features Audrey Hepburn in another iconic role, portraying a woman navigating love and social status in New York City.
• The Philadelphia Story (1940): A classic screwball comedy exploring themes of love, class, and societal expectations within a wealthy family.
• Crazy Rich Asians (2018): A modern romantic comedy that, like Sabrina, deals with love, social class, and family expectations, but with a contemporary twist.

🛒 Sabrina Related Products

• Sabrina (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: A stunningly restored Blu-ray edition of the film, featuring insightful commentary and behind-the-scenes documentaries.
• Audrey Hepburn: A Life in Pictures: A beautiful coffee table book showcasing Audrey Hepburn’s life through rare photographs and insightful commentary.
• Givenchy Style: A Retrospective: Book about Hubert de Givenchy style and life, showcasing Audrey Hepburn Iconic Style.
• Sabrina (1995) [DVD]: A DVD with Harrison Ford and Julia Ormond. It’s a remake of the movie with a new perspective.

🎧 Soundtrack

Sabrina features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “La Vie en Rose” – performed by Audrey Hepburn
• “Isn’t It Romantic?” – performed by Instrumental

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

CLASSIC MOVIE REVIEW: Humphrey Bogart & Audrey Hepburn in SABRINA – STEVE HAYES

Ever wondered if Sabrina holds up after all these years? Steve Hayes breaks down what makes this classic so charming, and honestly, his insights on Bogart’s performance are spot-on. You might see the film in a whole new light after watching this!

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