Sabrina
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Synopsis
The awkward daughter of a wealthy family's chauffeur returns from Paris as a sophisticated beauty, capturing the eye of the family's playboy heir and forcing his pragmatic older brother to intervene to protect a multi-billion-dollar corporate merger.
Plot
Sabrina Fairchild grows up on the lavish Long Island estate of the ultra-wealthy Larrabee family, nursing an unrequited, lifelong obsession with the carefree younger son, David. Sent to Paris to intern for Vogue, Sabrina blossoms from a shy, plain girl into an elegant, worldly woman. When she returns home, David fails to recognize her at first and is instantly enchanted, despite being newly engaged to pediatrician Elizabeth Tyson. Because David’s impending marriage is crucial to sealing a multi-billion-dollar electronics buyout with Tyson’s wealthy father, David’s older brother, ruthless corporate titan Linus Larrabee, views the budding romance as a severe financial threat.
When David accidentally injures himself by sitting on champagne flutes, Linus steps into the breach, pretending to take an interest in Sabrina to keep her occupied while David recovers. Linus plans to fly Sabrina to Paris and break her heart from a distance once the corporate contracts are signed. However, during intimate outings to Martha’s Vineyard and private dinners, the hardened workaholic finds his cynical defenses melting away under Sabrina’s genuine warmth and authenticity.
Ending Explained
Realizing that he has fallen genuinely in love with Sabrina and unable to bear deceiving her any longer, Linus confesses his initial manipulative scheme to her. Devastated and betrayed, Sabrina packs her bags and boards the Concorde back to Paris to resume her independent life. Meanwhile, Linus prepares to announce the cancellation of the Tyson merger during a board meeting, ready to absorb the immense financial catastrophe rather than hurt Sabrina further.
Suddenly, a healed David walks into the boardroom, surprisingly mature and level-headed. David reveals that he has reconciled with Elizabeth, signed the Tyson merger documents himself, and formally taken over management responsibilities for the corporation. David tells Linus that he knows Linus loves Sabrina and hands him plane tickets to France, urged on by their mother Maude. Linus rushes across the Atlantic, tracking Sabrina down on the Pont des Arts bridge in Paris. Linus admits his love, confessing that she transformed him into a real human being, and the two embrace in a romantic reconciliation.
What We Think About This Movie
What We Liked
Harrison Ford's deadpan, grumpy delivery providing reliable comedic timing as workaholic Linus Larrabee.
Greg Kinnear's breakout performance, bringing breezy charm and natural charisma to playboy David.
Elegant, luxurious visual cinematography capturing the estates of Long Island and the streets of Paris.
John Williams' Oscar-nominated romantic orchestral score.
What We Didn't Like
An overextended runtime exceeding two hours that drags down the light romantic premise.
Clunky, rushed character turnarounds and sudden changes of heart during the final act.
Lacks the effortless sparkle, effervescence, and screen magic of Billy Wilder's 1954 original.
Who Should Watch
Fans of lavish, glossy 1990s studio romantic comedies.
Admirers of Harrison Ford stepping outside action franchises into traditional romantic roles.
Viewers interested in comparing contemporary updates with Golden Age Hollywood originals.
Who Should Skip
Devotees of Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart who consider the original untouchable.
Audiences looking for fast, tightly plotted romantic farces without dramatic bloat.
Movie Details
Where to Watch Sabrina in the USA
Frequently Asked Questions About Sabrina
Is this Sabrina movie a remake?
Yes, it is a remake of Billy Wilder's famous 1954 romantic comedy starring Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, and William Holden, which was adapted from Samuel A. Taylor's Broadway play Sabrina Fair.
Was this Greg Kinnear's first major film role?
Yes, Sabrina marked talk show host Greg Kinnear's breakthrough feature film starring role, transitioning him from hosting NBC's Later to an established film career.
Did Sabrina receive any Academy Award nominations?
Yes, it received two Oscar nominations: Best Original Musical or Comedy Score for John Williams and Best Original Song for "Moonlight" (music by John Williams, lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman).
Where were the estate scenes filmed?
The grand Larrabee family estate was filmed on location at Salutation House, an expansive private waterfront estate in Glen Cove on Long Island, New York.
