I must confess, when I first heard about this film, I had no desire to see it. After all, a remake of a classic fairy tale? And with live actors instead of animation, no less? It would take masterful acting, vivid costuming and scenery, and an incredible story to equal Disney's singing mice, magic pumpkins, and bubbly fairy godmother, but Mirielle Soira's Ever After does just that using only the magic of true love.
Drew Barrymore is surprisingly endearing as Danielle, the orphan girl who is forced to become a servant to the only family she's ever known. Anjelica Huston and Megan Dodds are the delightfully wicked Rodmilla and Marguerite de Ghent, the wicked stepmother and stepsister, respectively. But the true surprise of this film is Melanie Lynskey, who plays Jacqueline de Ghent, the other stepsister, and an unexpected ally to Danielle. Dougray Scott delivers a convincing performance as Henry, the first Prince Charming in the history of Cinderella tales to have a name. The supporting cast comes together to create weave an intricate tale that makes you forget it's a film and wonder just how they could have possibly invented cameras in 16th century France. The true challenge of this movie was, of course, recreating the tale in a way that did not involve animated characters who were two-dimensional in their personality as well as their appearance, easily identifiable as evil or good, all of whom burst into song and dance on the correct cues. The only music you will hear in this film is the brilliant instrumental score and the ending song, the enchanting "Put Your Arms Around Me" by the group Texas. And even the Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent seems mulitfaceted, as Huston masterfully evokes a bit of sympathy for the villain during a few brief moments. Ever After rose to the many challenges it was presented with by a snarling wolf of an industry that scoffs in the faces of films such as these and says plainly, "You will not succeed." But indeed it has. The last line of the film sums it all up, and will leave you with goosebumps on your arms, a lump in your throat, a tear in your eye, and hope in your heart that even in a world full of wicked stepmothers and shattered dreams, magic truly does exist in the hearts of those who love.
Drew Barrymore is surprisingly endearing as Danielle, the orphan girl who is forced to become a servant to the only family she's ever known. Anjelica Huston and Megan Dodds are the delightfully wicked Rodmilla and Marguerite de Ghent, the wicked stepmother and stepsister, respectively. But the true surprise of this film is Melanie Lynskey, who plays Jacqueline de Ghent, the other stepsister, and an unexpected ally to Danielle. Dougray Scott delivers a convincing performance as Henry, the first Prince Charming in the history of Cinderella tales to have a name. The supporting cast comes together to create weave an intricate tale that makes you forget it's a film and wonder just how they could have possibly invented cameras in 16th century France. The true challenge of this movie was, of course, recreating the tale in a way that did not involve animated characters who were two-dimensional in their personality as well as their appearance, easily identifiable as evil or good, all of whom burst into song and dance on the correct cues. The only music you will hear in this film is the brilliant instrumental score and the ending song, the enchanting "Put Your Arms Around Me" by the group Texas. And even the Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent seems mulitfaceted, as Huston masterfully evokes a bit of sympathy for the villain during a few brief moments. Ever After rose to the many challenges it was presented with by a snarling wolf of an industry that scoffs in the faces of films such as these and says plainly, "You will not succeed." But indeed it has. The last line of the film sums it all up, and will leave you with goosebumps on your arms, a lump in your throat, a tear in your eye, and hope in your heart that even in a world full of wicked stepmothers and shattered dreams, magic truly does exist in the hearts of those who love.
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