Sabrina in a light fair-tale set in Modern America. It is directed by Academy Award winner Billy Wilder, but his fairy wand is heavy and clumsily used. For a comedy-romance the film moves too slowly, and lacks bile and sharpness. True, it has a highly glossed finish and technical smartness. Alas, it also has too much striving for striking camera angles (e.g., the shots of the dancing couple on the tennis courts) and too much by play from the self-conscious director (e.g., the scenes in the Paris Cooking Academy). Let's push Oscar away from the fireside and hear an amusing story straight and simple.

Conventional Plot

"Sabrina" has a conventional plot, being unconventional only in that it comes near to the danger of becoming too serious for its delicate frame. Consequently, one tended to become apprehensive of its ending. We are, however, spared. But although not disgusted, we are perhaps not entirely convinced with the finale. "Sabrina" is a simple case of the last act not being up to the quality of the rest.

All these complaints do not add up to a poor film. Indeed it is a good one—entertaining and amusing. Billy Wilder scorns to be too heavy handed to direct comedy; but his players have the necessary lighteness, of touch. That increasingly inspired actor, Bogart, away from his heavy roles is awkwardly funny as the embarrassed Prime Minister in love, Willam Holden gives his usual polished performance as Prince Charming. Audrey Hepburn as Cinderella is vivacious and fresh; but—oh to see her in some different type of role. The heroine of Sabrina is the heroine of "Roman Holiday", except the situation and circumstances are reversed. Occasionally in Audrey Hepburn's on the whole delightful performance there are traces of "easy-to-amaze-them" tricks. She has been nominated for an Academy Award. But I hope Sabrina does not bring her another Oscar.