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It's a tale as old as time (don't sue me, Disney), but here goes: Drew Barrymore wears the mantle of that beloved servant and lover of books, Cinderella, whose evil stepmother (Angelica Huston) and stepsister Marguerite (Megan Dodds) are the crabs in the barrel that is her family's estate. She has an ally in much kinder stepsister Jacqueline (Melanie Lynskey), but she's just as impaired at improving her own situation. While disguised as someone of much higher station in an attempt to right one of her stepmother's many wrongs, she charms Prince Henry (Dougray Scott), who has a similar passion for learning and desire to take charge of his own life. While we watch Cinderella "fake it 'til she makes it," we enjoy a noble, charming and mostly successful attempt at a more traditional, yet more feminist take on the classic story.
This movie was popular while I was growing up. I remember hearing a conversation about it, with someone mentioning that it stars "Drew Barrymore and...another guy." Barrymore lights up the screen as the heroine, not to mention successfully conveys her ambition and thirst for knowledge, and even though I can't blame the person who didn't recall Dougray Scott since he's not a household name, the actor is just as deserving of credit. Besides how well he comes across as a classic "Prince Charming," I like how he expresses his resentment towards the royal life and its lack of freedoms. Most importantly, though, his chemistry with Barrymore is genuine and made me anticipate each scene in which they're together. Patrick Godfrey also shines as Leonardo Da Vinci - who is thankfully an ally to our heroes - for how he does what he can to make the movie fantastical. On that note, despite this character and the beauty of the French countryside, it's all a bit too plain and conventional for me to fully embrace. I like to feel like I'm transported to another world when I see movies like this one and it doesn't do enough to provide that sensation. While I respect the filmmakers' intention to take a more traditional, non-Disneyfied approach with this material, it's perhaps too traditional. Again, for the strong work from this cast - especially our lead couple - and its feminist touches, I still recommend this movie. Just don't be surprised if you find yourself longing to see a pumpkin coach or at least one talking mouse.
It's a tale as old as time (don't sue me, Disney), but here goes: Drew Barrymore wears the mantle of that beloved servant and lover of books, Cinderella, whose evil stepmother (Angelica Huston) and stepsister Marguerite (Megan Dodds) are the crabs in the barrel that is her family's estate. She has an ally in much kinder stepsister Jacqueline (Melanie Lynskey), but she's just as impaired at improving her own situation. While disguised as someone of much higher station in an attempt to right one of her stepmother's many wrongs, she charms Prince Henry (Dougray Scott), who has a similar passion for learning and desire to take charge of his own life. While we watch Cinderella "fake it 'til she makes it," we enjoy a noble, charming and mostly successful attempt at a more traditional, yet more feminist take on the classic story.
This movie was popular while I was growing up. I remember hearing a conversation about it, with someone mentioning that it stars "Drew Barrymore and...another guy." Barrymore lights up the screen as the heroine, not to mention successfully conveys her ambition and thirst for knowledge, and even though I can't blame the person who didn't recall Dougray Scott since he's not a household name, the actor is just as deserving of credit. Besides how well he comes across as a classic "Prince Charming," I like how he expresses his resentment towards the royal life and its lack of freedoms. Most importantly, though, his chemistry with Barrymore is genuine and made me anticipate each scene in which they're together. Patrick Godfrey also shines as Leonardo Da Vinci - who is thankfully an ally to our heroes - for how he does what he can to make the movie fantastical. On that note, despite this character and the beauty of the French countryside, it's all a bit too plain and conventional for me to fully embrace. I like to feel like I'm transported to another world when I see movies like this one and it doesn't do enough to provide that sensation. While I respect the filmmakers' intention to take a more traditional, non-Disneyfied approach with this material, it's perhaps too traditional. Again, for the strong work from this cast - especially our lead couple - and its feminist touches, I still recommend this movie. Just don't be surprised if you find yourself longing to see a pumpkin coach or at least one talking mouse.