Title: Ever After
Age: PG
Released: 31st July 1998
Director: Andy Tennant
Genre: Romance, Drama, Historical, Fantasy
Rating: ***** (5/5 stars)
About: This updated adaptation of the classic fairytale tells the story of Danielle (Drew Barrymore), a vibrant young woman who is forced into servitude after the death of her father. Danielle’s stepmother Rodmilla (Anjelica Huston) is a heartless woman who forces Danielle to do the cooking and cleaning, while she tries to marry off her own two daughters. But Danielle’s life takes a wonderful turn when she meets the charming Prince Henry, (Dougray Scott).
Review: This film is a huge favourite of mine.
I do have to say that I think that this is one of the better Cinderella stories. The cast is great, the filming is awesome and the script is just beautiful.
This film isn’t just for kids, it has elements in it that make it enjoyable for adults to enjoy an old classic tale. There is so much energy that has been put into this film that it can be seen on the same level as ‘The Mask of Zorro’.
The casting really helps to keep this energy up and I do believe that it is due to Drew Barrymore’s skills, that the film can captivate the attention of the audience. She can really hold the screen and get us to be involved with her character. She makes her real and extremely likable.
The emotions that are present in this film are timed perfectly. Just when you think that things are really awful, something magical happens.
This is definitely a feel good movie.
And even though, there’s the cruel step-mother, step-sister and a truly awful and creepy man, there is still a good amount of hope in this film.
I loved the way that Danielle’s entry into the life of Prince Henry is handled through a series of coincidental encounters, after a Meet Cute in which she bops him with an apple. It’s incredibly funny to think that their first encounter together was her accusing him of being a thief (which he is, even if he is a Prince), and then throwing apples at him – good for her is all I can say.
I think this film is perfect for all occasions and never seems old. I really do love watching it, so I hope that the people who haven’t seen it yet will love it as much as I do.
CastlesandTurrets 