Sabrina

Most nights before bed, after I’ve rinsed off and cleaned up, we like to watch a movie on one of our phones. Though sometimes it’s just me watching something as my husband will be head first into his latest novel. Last night I browsed Netflix and found one of my favorite movies was recently added, Sabrina. I am ever such a fan of both adaptations; the first (1954) with Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart followed by the second (1995) with Julia Ormond and Harrison Ford.

I remember first watching the newest version and feeling like one day I too would move to Paris as a girl then come back home a woman a few years later. I mean, I’m assuming that’s was Paris does to you.

All of that to say, I love this movie. Here’s the opening monologue by Ms. Hepburn:

“Once upon a time, on the north shore of Long Island, some thirty miles from New York, there lived a small girl on a large estate. The estate was very large indeed, and had many servants. There were gardeners to take care of the gardens, and a tree surgeon on a retainer. There was a boatman to take care of the boats: to put them in the water in the spring, and scrape their bottoms in the winter. There were specialists to take care of the grounds: the outdoor tennis court and the indoor tennis court, the outdoor swimming pool and the indoor swimming pool. And there was a man of no particular title who took care of the small pool in the garden for a goldfish named George. Also on the estate there was a chauffeur by the name of Fairchild who had been imported from England years ago together with a new Rolls-Royce. Fairchild was a fine chauffeur of considerable polish, like the eight cars in his care, and he had a daughter by the name of Sabrina. It was the eve of the annual six-meter yacht races, and as had been traditional on Long Island for the past thirty years, the Larrabees were giving a party. It never rained on the night of the Larrabee party. The Larrabees wouldn't have stood for it. There were four Larrabees in all - father, mother, and two sons. Maude and Oliver Larrabee were married in nineteen hundred and six, and among their many wedding presents was the town house in New York and this estate for weekends. The town house has since been converted into Saks Fifth Avenue. Linus Larrabee, the elder son, graduated from Yale, where his classmates voted him The Man Most Likely To Leave His Alma Mater Fifty Million Dollars. His brother, David, went through several of the best eastern colleges for short periods of time, and through several marriages for even shorter periods of time. He is now a successful six-goal polo player and is listed on Linus's tax return as a six hundred dollar deduction. Life was pleasant among the Larrabees, for this was as close to heaven as one could get on Long Island. “ 

{Paramount Pictures, 1954- Screenplay by Samuel A. Taylor, Billy Wilder and Ernest Lehmen}

The story goes, Sabrina being a daughter of this wealthy family's chauffeur, grows up  living a simple life always looking  in on the life of the Larabee’s and their youngest son, David.  She dreams of one day being a part of this family's lavish affairs with David but, alas, he pays no mind to Sabrina. She sets off to Paris for culinary school and upon arriving home two years later, she is quickly admired by both sons as being elegant, refined and beautiful.  Cue romance, family problems, weddings, beautiful cars and la vie en rose.

*Fun side note, during the filming of Sabrina Audrey and William Holden (David) had a brief but very public affair!*

So what is it that I love about this movie? The simplicity, her elegance, the  complications, being love torn over two men and them over her, that inimitable pixie cut, and of course her style.  There’s truly so much more that I enjoy but I think I should keep some details quiet until you’ve seen it for yourself. 

I hope you have a wonderful Friday and enjoy your weekend!

I’ll talk to you soon, xoxo bd

{Photo Credits,:Netflix and iPhone captures}