Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Script review - "Sabrina Fair" by Billy Wilder, Ernest Lehmann and Samuel Taylor

Not considered one of the classic Billy Wilders but a very well done romantic comedy with three excellent star roles. It reads very much as if it were written for Audrey Hepburn - there's references to Sabrina's slenderness, and pixie good looks. Through a modern view point it's a little dodgy I guess Linus pursuing Sabrina for money and her falling for it, and Linus paying off these women in David's life (did he rape them? assault them?).

But it maintains its freshness through that Wilder jaundiced look at the world - the importance of money and position and cynicism mixed with romanticism. It's also very well structured into sequences:
A - Sabrina is in love with David, tries to kill herself when he goes off with someone else, is rescued by Linus and heads for Paris.
B - Sabrina gets glam in Paris, Linus arranges David's marriage and Sabrina comes back and David loves her.
C - Linus decides to cock block David by going after Sabrina himself.
D - Linus pursues Sabrina and she finds herself liking him
E - Sabrina likes Linus and is trying to convince herself she wants David.
F - They fall in love and Sabrina is keen but Linus rejects her.
G - David realises Sabrina doesn't really like him and agrees to marry the girl and sends Linus after Sabrina.

I know this was a tough film to make but the script reads smoothly and logically. I guess Linus and Sabrina is a bit creepy if you think about it too hard.

No comments: