Movie Life Lessons: Sabrina - The Power of A Good Father

Part of my "Wise Men of the Movies" series

A very good friend of mine recently had his first child, a baby daughter. This friend of mine is one of those people you can just tell is going to be a good father. He’s got the affectionate and loving disposition, and I couldn’t be happier for him and his wife. As it turns out, my friend, like me, his first child is a girl.

Dads and their daughters…it’s a special relationship. It can certainly be tricky to raise a girl, particularly in today’s world. So, in honor of my friend and his new baby girl, I wanted today’s Movie Life’s Lesson to be about one of my favorite characters in any movie — a chauffeur.

The movies have interfaced to all manner of “wise men” (and women)—from Jedi Masters, samurai hitmen, and patriarchal mafia dons, to one of my personal favorites, Sabrina Fairchild’s father—the chauffeur.

Wait, who?

A chauffeur? 

Surely I mean the rich person riding in the backseat, right? 

No. I mean the chauffeur. The driver.

Believe it or not, this is an important character in movies. From Morgan Freeman’s “Hoke” in Driving Miss Daisy and Viggo Mortensen in Green Book to Ryan Gosling in The Driver, people behind the wheel in the movies ofter have a lot of wisdom to offer.

In the classic movie Sabrina, directed by Billy Wilder, from a screenplay he co-wrote with Samuel A. Taylor and Ernest Lehman, based on Taylor's 1953 play Sabrina Fair, later remade in 1995 directed by Sydney Pollack and starring Julia Ormond, Harrison Ford, and Greg Kinnear, the focus often shifts between the complicated love triangle involving Sabrina Fairchild and the two wealthy Larrabee brothers. But there’s another man quietly stealing the show, teaching us some of the most valuable life lessons in the process—Sabrina’s father, Thomas Fairchild, the Larrabees’ chauffeur.

 His role is understated, much like his lifestyle, yet his wisdom runs deep. If you only see him as a man driving the rich around, you're missing the heart of his story: the love for his daughter and his quiet mastery of life.

Looks Can Be Deceiving

At first glance, Thomas Fairchild is just the chauffeur. He lives above the garage, has no outward signs of wealth or status, and spends his days in the service of the affluent Larrabee family. But underneath the simple exterior lies a man of considerable means—both financially and emotionally.

What most people don't realize is that Thomas has amassed his own small multimillion dollar fortune, not through flashy business deals or inheritance, but by quietly investing in the stock market. His position as a driver gives him proximity to the Larrabee family’s business dealings, and with keen observation and a good ear, he’s able to make wise investment decisions. Yet, he doesn’t flaunt his wealth. His lifestyle remains simple because he knows what he values: his books and his daughter, Sabrina.

This is a crucial lesson in the age of appearances, where so many people judge success by the car you drive or the house you live in. Thomas shows us that true wealth is more than material—it's having the wisdom to know what’s important and the humility to live without needing validation from others.

Thomas Fairchild is a man who knows what he loves: his books and his daughter. He is portrayed as an avid reader, filling his small living space with a vast collection of books, a personal treasure trove of knowledge and escape. He isn't consumed by the materialism surrounding him, though he could be. Instead, he finds satisfaction in the quieter pleasures of life. 

More importantly, his love for his daughter, Sabrina, is the central pillar of his character.

He doesn’t try to control her or impose his own dreams on her; instead, he supports her, even when her feelings for David Larrabee seem destined for heartache. He allows her to learn and grow, trusting her judgment while remaining a steadfast guide in her life. 

In today’s world, where parents often face the challenge of balancing their ambitions for their children with letting them follow their own paths, Thomas serves as a reminder that great parenting is not about control. It's about trust, quiet guidance, and unconditional love.

The Wisdom of Using What You Have

One of the most profound aspects of Thomas’s character is his intelligence in using what he has. He may not have the Larrabees’ wealth or power, but he has something equally valuable: access. As the Larrabees’ chauffeur, he overhears conversations about business deals, picks up insights from the company’s movers and shakers, and uses this knowledge wisely. Instead of being bitter about his station in life, he capitalizes on it quietly and effectively.

He also knows how to use his time. While others may waste away the hours on distractions or resentment, Thomas invests his time in reading, thinking, and quietly bettering his own position in life. It's a lesson in maximizing what you’re given. Whether it’s time, access, or even proximity to success, Thomas shows that with the right mindset, you can turn humble circumstances into something truly valuable.

A Great Father Above All

But above all, Thomas Fairchild is a great father. His true wealth isn’t in his investments, his books, or even his wisdom—it’s in the relationship he has with his daughter. Sabrina grows into the strong, independent woman she becomes not because of the Larrabees’ influence, but because of the quiet strength and love her father provides. He teaches her through example: that life is about more than money, more than outward appearances, and that true success lies in knowing what you love and nurturing it.

Through the lens of Thomas Fairchild, we’re reminded that greatness often comes in the form of small, unnoticed actions. It’s not always the flashy heroes or the powerful businessmen who hold the most wisdom; sometimes, it’s the quiet man driving the car, the one living simply and loving fully, who teaches us the most important lessons of all.

In Sabrina, Thomas Fairchild reminds us to look beyond appearances, to use what we have wisely, and to cherish the relationships that matter most. It’s a timeless lesson in a world that can often be too focused on surface-level success. Sometimes, the wisest man is the one you least expect.