Sabrina (1954) - 2nd time

Nominated for 6 Academy Awards:

Best Director: Billy Wilder

Best Actress: Audrey Hepburn

Best Writing, Screenplay

Best Cinematography, Black-and-White

Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White

Best Costume Design, Black-and-White (WON)

 

I wanted to see Sabrina again, because I suspected the first time, maybe 15 years ago, I underappreciated both the screenplay and her performance. And that was somewhat proven, especially with the writing. This is a very sweet, uncomplicated romantic movie, well directed and well written, carried mostly by Audrey’s charm. She’s at her full Audreyness in this, as a beautiful girl, a sensitive girl, a love interest, one who’s dressed to the latest fashion. This and Breakfast at Tiffany’s are probably her most emblematic roles, more so than something like My Fair Lady.

I love the story, the way a character changes, evolves, has a comeback and becomes unrecognizable (or mostly) to those who’ve known her before. The one flaw of the film, but a big one, is the disastrous casting of Bogart as the one who gets the girl (who happens to be 30 years his junior). He is not bad, but he looks like he’s Audrey’s grandfather and he’s seriously lacking in energy and charisma. Even Maurice Chevalier would’ve been more charming and believable. I understand Cary Grant had the part, and then changed his mind, and that’s a pity.

 

I give it: 8.5/10

IMDB LINK