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In this romantic comedy from director Billy Wilder (Some Like it Hot, Sunset Boulevard), Audrey Hepburn stars as a chauffeur’s daughter who pines for William Holden, the playboy son of the family who employs her father. Holden finally strikes a fancy to Hepburn when she returns from culinary school in Paris, but his older brother — played by Humphrey Bogart — tries to keep them apart. To ensure a lucrative business merger happens, Holden is set to marry the daughter of another wealthy family, but he’s willing to jeopardize the merger over his infatuation with Hepburn. Further complicating matters, Bogart and Hepburn also start to fall in love.
So, basically, Audrey Hepburn is an immature, daffy slut in this movie who’ll drop her panties for any man. And Humphrey Bogart is old enough to be her father. I was looking forward to seeing Sabrina for the first time after hearing so many good things about it from so many people over the years. I think it’s the first Billy Wilder film I’ve seen that I don’t like. While it’s very well made, well paced, shot, and performed, and it has some pleasant twists and turns in its final act, I simply do not like these characters and I don’t see any sincerity in their relationships.
If you enjoy Sabrina‘s three stars, it’s probably still worth a look. Holden has some nice comic moments, especially ones related to his recovery from sitting on a pair of wine glasses. Walter Hampden is memorable as Bogart and Holden’s aloof father, and Edith Head won an Oscar for putting Audrey Hepburn in some striking outfits.
Academy Award: Best Costume Design (Edith Head)
Oscar Nominations: Best Actress (Hepburn), Director, Screenplay, Black & White Cinematography, Black & White Art Direction