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Jun 27, 2017ThinkCentre rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
SPOILER: I'm glad I'm not the only one who feel this film's ok and a bit anti-climatic. However, let's begin with the big-name cast. Audrey Hepburn! Humphrey Bogart! William Holden! How did they swing all 3 with all this star power (with Billy Wilder directing?) And how about that 'what if' real-life scenario if Holden and Hepburn stayed together? Reportedly the two split due to Holden not being able to have children and Hepburn ended up marrying Mel Ferrer shortly. I find the movie not as magically charming nor romantic as it could have been with the casting of Linus and that affected the ending of who 'got the girl.' Upon learning that Cary Grant's the original choice for Linus (played by Bogart), it was an a-HA moment. Grant would have been more believable as Linus, whom Sabrina ended up with over David (as played by Holden) whom she pined for all her life, spied on, and nearly ended her life over. The character David being the dashing, carefree younger brother (a jerk) versus the stiff straight-laced older Linus (Bogart reportedly a real-life jerk throughout the production). Linus actually liked Sabrina? I can't quite tell with Bogart. In the end, David's interest in Sabrina was just as shallow and short-lived (like his three marriages) when she 'classed up her looks and mannerism', and he sacrificed the promise of long-lasting love (and maybe a longer marriage) by having Linus go after her. The end rewards was for Sabrina ending up with the more 'consistent' brother who's merely undone by the vivaciousness of Sabrina. Well, Cary Grant could have been it. But big but, Wilder's signature playful and comedic direction keeps the film light and substantial.