Sabrina

Media:	DVD
Directed by:	Sydney Pollack
Starring:	Harrison Ford, Julia Ormond, Greg Kinnear
Release date:	29 December, 2004
Our price:	$9.99

Sabrina

Average rating: Stars

sometimes it should be left alone

Sydney Pollack says that he was reluctant to direct this movie, a remake of the version with Humphrey Bogart and Audrey Hepburn, but was finally coaxed into it by Harrison Ford. He had to be disappointed with the result for the comparisons were inevitable. The story stays with the essentials: two brothers- Ford, the older one, a serious and successful businessman, the other, the irresponsible, handsome playboy played by Greg Kinnear- vying for the affections of the chaffeur's daughter, Julia Ormand, in a variation of the Cinderella tale. It was updated for the modern era, including the politics and finance of corporate take-overs, but otherwise is faithful to the theme of its predecessor. One thing seems to be clear: why Ford wanted it made. It's a full-blown screen confirmation that our Indiana Jones Superstar still has that "thing," that ability to attract younger women, as his character does in the story (any real-life comparisons?). Unfortunately, with a stiff, cardboard performance, he demonstrates none of the irony and vulnerability that Humphrey Bogart gave this role, and as ravishing as Ormand can be, she, too, lacks the coquettish charm that Hepburn could provide. There is also little on-screen chemistry between the two stars; indeed, it's hard to accept that they could have been the least bit attracted to each other. Kinnear, who has developed a recent penchant for playing the cad, is more believable, but he has his own icon to overcome, William Holden. To make matters worse, the script doesn't lend too much aid to the cast, lacking the wit and zest of the original. Overall, this is simpy boring.
Pollack would be the first one to admit that they don't make movies they way they used to. So, when he hesitated on this one, he should have stayed with his initial instincts.

Sabrina - Harrison Ford, Julia Ormond and more

Everything perfect that could be spoken was spoken perfectly

Please, please, please, whatever you do when deciding to view
this film, try to forget everything you might know or feel about the earlier, 1954 production. Do so because in this 1995 remake you have one of the most perfectly written romantic movies of all time.

Here is one of those once in a lifetime films wherein everything that could be perfectly spoken is spoken.....perfectly. Highest of kudos to the script writers; praise which would mean nothing without the very best levels of performance provided by
these first-rate actors and actresses. If you do nothing else during this movie, look and listen with the utmost attention to the delivery of lines---they could not possibly be bettered. An added plus is the imaginative camera work which is nothing short of award worthy

PS: While I grew up with the original "Sabrina," in this newer production I must have seen a completely different film than did a reviewer recently preceding me.

Harrison Ford, Julia Ormond and more - Sabrina

Horrid

This movie is a terrible remake of a wonderful movie (the original, with Humphrey Bogart and Audrey Hepburn is one of my favorite movies). The acting was wooden and the updated situations and dialogues NO improvement on the original. I had been excited to see this, actually, since I've always liked Harrison Ford and the original movie. What a disappointment. PLEASE skip this one and go right to the original.