Sabrina {1995} ~ Cinderella Week

Once upon a time, on the north shore of Long Island, not far from New York, there was a very, very large mansion--almost a castle...

I first stumbled into watching this movie rather casually.  I vaguely remembered having seen pictures of it in random places, so, since I was babysitting, had neglected to bring any movies of my own, and now  had an hour or so to kill before the parents got back, this movie in their collection caught my eye.  I gave it a quick Internet check-up (because I had heard funny rumormongerings--that's not a word--of it being about a witch, and ain't nobody got time for dat), received the all-clear, and decided to give it a try.  And since it's a sort of Cinderella tale, it works for this week ;)  Oh, and another thing:  yes, this is a remake of the black-and-white Audrey Hepburn/Humphrey Bogart film of the same name.  I haven't seen the original yet, so I don't know how it compares.


Here's the synopsis, taken from the back of my VHS copy:

Love is a funny thing.  Especially when Harrison Ford, Julia Ormond and Greg Kinnear form the warmest, winningest romantic triangle ever.  Directed by Syndey Pollack (Tootsie), Sabrina shimmers like a fairy tale come true.  Ford plays Linus Larrabee, a busy tycoon who has no room for love in his appointment book.  But when a romance between his playboy brother (Kinnear) and Sabrina (Ormond), daughter of the family chauffeur, threatens one of Linus' business deals, the CEO clears his schedule for some ruthlessness.  He courts Sabrina, intending to drop her when the deal closes.  Will "the world's only living heart donor" discover his heart?  Of course!  But, like the best journeys, the fun isn't just the destination, it's the getting there.

I like that synopsis, because it kind of captures "the spirit" of the movie, dontcha know.  Warm--winning--shimmery--that's this movie.  It's a lot a bit cheesy in parts, but the humor is so quick to save the day, and the atmosphere is bewitchingly delightful.  


As Sabrina travels to Paris and spends I don't remember how long there, a good bit of the movie has a decidedly Parisian feel.  The sets are elegant, the music is twinkly, jazzy, and adequate, and the costuming is beauteous.  Of course, it centers around a wealthy family and their staff, so naturally it's upper-classy.  The Larabees' solarium is really lovely, as are the grounds, the shots in Paris, etc. 

I like Sabrina moderately (the actual character, I mean).  She's not a favorite, or anything, but she's very sweet, kind and strong.  She's rather…ahem…David-crazy, but of course that's resolved.  She returns from Paris confident but still gentle, and I like her before-and-after.


LINUS.  LINUS THOUGH.  Part of me loves him (because, HELLOOO, Harrison Ford), and part of me can't get over how slightly ridiculous the movie is, and consequently his character.  

As to the rest of the characters…the servants are quite lovable, particularly Sabrina's father.  I mean, he decided to be a chauffeur because he wanted to have time to read!  Can a guy get better? ;D  David annoys me to no end for the vast majority of the movie, but at least he shapes up by the end.  I like Elizabeth, and Maud, and the secretary whose name I'm forgetting.  

I promise, Sabrina and Linus DO wear things other than evening
gowns and tuxedoes.

How's about some highlights from the dialogue?  Yes?

"So if there's anything I can ever do…"
"Could you bring me back one of those little Eiffel Tower paperweights?"

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

[talking to his mother on the phone] "Here?  Lousy.  So far I'm more affected than she is; I d--n near cried twice."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

"You're talking about my life!"
"I pay for your life, David!  My life makes your life possible."
"I resent that!"
"So do I!"

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

"The most difficult tickets to get will be for a Broadway musical."
"Okay."
"…That means that the performers will periodically dance about and burst into song."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

"You don't deserve her, but she appears to love you."
"Yeah, see, doesn't that worry you a little bit--I mean, about her…mental health?"

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"What'd you get her?"
"Portable fax machine."
"You sentimental fool."


Now, as to content.  For the most part, this is a moderately appropriate film.  It's PG; there are a couple iffy parts.  For instance, the younger Larrabee brother is a major playboy.  That's part of the focus of the film--his affinity for women, and his ability to charm them.  We do see a non-explicit glimpse of him and his latest party flame beginning to…well, you know…in the solarium, but his whole attitude toward relationships, while portrayed as a little lovable, is also shown to be irresponsible, if not wrong.  At one point in the movie, Sabrina is hurt by hearing the news of David's engagement (she receives a letter while in Paris), and she starts to you-know-what with a man she's been getting to know.  HOWEVER, the man realizes that, I dunno, "her heart's not in it", and he basically tells him that she can't solve her problems through sex, but through facing them intelligently (not in those words, of course).  We get the feeling that they don't actually…proceed, and all that.  So that's goodish.  Other than that, there's some pretty minor swearing (I don't remember any particulars, but nothing too atrocious, though I'm sure the Lord's name is used in vain pretty regularly, as with most movies) and some other minor innuendoes (like when the servants are discussing someone they thought was gay, but who actually wasn't).  The movie might be pushing the PG rating, but not badly.

Overall, I like this movie.  It's thoroughly enjoyable, once you understand that it's cheesy as cheddar in some parts and proud of that.  In spite of the silliness, you do get attached to the characters, and you don't mind the ridiculous plots and plans, because the movie knows it's rather on the corny side. 

I recommend it:  it has a terrific cast, some killer lines, and a sumptuous atmosphere.  Go give it a try! 













Comments

  1. I've not seen this version, only the original, which I liked a lot :) Will have to watch the re-make now! :)

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    1. I want to watch the original, Catherine! So you recommend it? I'd recommend the new one; it's cute :)

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  2. Awww Sabrina! I've seen both versions and enjoyed them both. The newer one definitely has some funny lines, a lot of them from Linus. And well, the film's got Harrison Ford, so of course I liked it. ;) Fun review, Olivia!

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    1. Ooh! How does the old one compare, Faith? Which do you like more? I KNOW. Harrison Ford ;) Aww, thanks!

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    2. I really think I like them equally. The older one stars Audrey Hepburn and she's lovely and perfect as always. I also liked Humphrey Bogart in Linus' role. :D

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    3. Ah, yes, they're the inducement to watch it, for me...especially Audrey :D

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  3. I like both versions of this movie. I've known this one longer though so it might have a slight edge over the other in my book. But the older version is still worth a watch!
    Paris is always a good idea.
    I really love the end scene though, when Linus uses the line that Sabrina had used when she thought she was talking to David at the beginning of the film. Do you know what I'm talking about? :)
    And the music! It's GORGEOUS!! :D
    Lovely review!

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    1. Cool! Yeah, I want to see the old one :)

      Indeed, yes ;)

      YES! Love that part! Squeals :D

      Thanks ever so much, Cordy! :)

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  4. This looks like fun! Oh, boy--is that actually Harrison Ford??? Hard to recognize him in glasses and a suit ;-)

    I really love that black evening gown--I mean, yes, it IS a bit low, but I love how sparkly it is. It suits her so beautifully :-)

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    1. It is!! Haha, I know--THOSE GLASSES.

      Exactly how I feel about the evening gown: a bit low, but still so beautiful, and not horrendously immodest ;)

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  5. Wow, Harrison Ford is so YOUNG!!!

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  6. "I resent that!" "So do I!"

    Hahahahaha :D

    Harrison Ford? Am I seeing things?

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    1. Haha, aren't those lines awesome!

      Nope! T'is really he ;) I love Harrison Ford...

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  7. I haven't seen either of these... but oh, THOSE LINES!! I was laughing so. hard. ;D "You don't deserve her, but she appears to love you." "Yeah, see, doesn't that worry you a little bit--I mean, about her…mental health?" Hilarious!!

    (And Sabrina's super pretty in that evening gown... ;))

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    1. I know!! Aren't they hilarious, Heidi?!

      Yes, it's a beautiful gown :D

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  8. I haven't seen either of the versions either, or any of the actors for that matter - except for Humphrey Bogart. But ANYWAY....

    That synopsis is one of the best I've heard; so sparkly (I've been using that word a lot this week, but, hey, it's Cinderella so it can't be wrong to do so, can it? :))

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    1. You should try it sometime, Éowyn!

      I know! I agree; it's just kind of carefree and glittery--a great summary :D (Yes, indeed!)

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  9. It's such a great and sweet movie!
    Yeah, it maybe cheesy, but that's part of the charm.
    I've seen both versions and though they are both good I prefer the 50's one - you should really see it. Audrey Hepburn is such a sweet Sabrina and the setting is gorgeous. The only thing it doesn't have is Harrison Ford (if it did it would be perfect)

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    1. Yes! Exactly, Rose--if it didn't have a bit of cheese, what would it be? ;) Cool! I want to see the old one. I think I'll really love Audrey as Sabrina...:D (I knooooooow, that's the thing. It won't have Harrison! Harrison's probably my favorite part!)

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  10. This is one of my favorite movies of all time. I adore it. I have the movie poster hanging in my basement, in fact :-) And the soundtrack is delicious!

    I've seen the original one too, but it just doesn't have the same charm. I absolutely love Audrey Hepburn, William Holden, and Humphrey Bogart, but none of them seem quite comfortable together somehow. Definitely not the same fantastic level of chemistry this movie has. It's one of the rare instances where I infinitely prefer the remake to the original.

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    1. Eeeeeeee, Hamlette, isn't it delightful?! :D (I've been looking forward to your comment since you mentioned it was one of your favorites over at Soliloquy, hehe.) It's just so much FUN! I really ought to pay more attention to the soundtrack next time I watch it.

      Ahh, gotcha. I think it'll be good to try, but I've a feeling nothing will beat Harrison Ford, Julia Ormond and Greg Kinnear ;D

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    2. Yes, it's just kind of a perfect trio -- they all blend so well. And it's got so many truly funny lines!

      When this first came to video, my dad fell in love with it. He would rent it every single weekend for our family movie night. I think we probably spent two months watching it over and over and over. It came out shortly before I turned sixteen, and my family called that my Sabrina Year because I got my ears pierced, got contacts, and grew my bangs out all within a few months. Not as radical a transformation as Sabrina's, but it was pretty major for a girl who has still never had a real haircut.

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    3. Oh, absolutely! It's really hilarious.

      Really? That's so cool! (Ooh, how long is your hair now?) Yes, I can see this becoming a favorite for me and my parents, and maybe one of my brothers (we're the ones who watch things together most often). When I introduced it to my dad a month or two ago, he was a bit skeptical, but later he admitted that having gotten a bit farther into it than he had when he apparently watched a few parts a while before, he was now anxious to see the rest of it. I think he really enjoyed it too :D It's such an atmospheric movie, it just pulls you in, doesn't it? The story is rather simple, but I wuvs that it is :)

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    4. Yes, it's simple and sweet, and that's what makes it charming, IMHO.

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    5. Yes! It's just a story about real people, with real lives, and I love that.

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  11. Great review, Olivia! My mother and I just watched this movie last night, and I quite enjoyed it. :) Especially all those one-liners. ^_^ I liked your assortment of them up there muchly. :) I really think, though, that Linus should have said something at that last scene about that little Eiffel Tower paperweight he asked for earlier. ;D

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    1. Thanks, Faith! Squueeee, you did?! Isn't it fun?! I know, the lines are the best. YES! You had that thought about the paperweight, too? I think it would've been so cute if she'd actually brought him back an Eiffel Tower paperweight :D

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    2. Yes indeed it is! My mom had seen it before, but it was my first time watching it. :) Now my mom and I can quote lines from it together! ;)
      Haha, that's funny that you had that same thought, too! Yes, I agree, it would have. I actually briefly thought of it after he had said that line. I thought, "Hmm... I wonder if anything with that is going to come up at the end..." :D WE NEED AN EPILOGUE HERE, PEOPLE!

      Oh, and just to be random, "Did the dry cleaners have your car?" :P

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    3. It's sooo quotable, isn't it, Faith?!

      Haha, I agree! xD

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