So nice to have a teen romantic film where people just communicate properly, sensitively and get on with it! None of this sneaking around, no big misunderstanding or not telling the truth for some other nonsensical reason, they talked. I loved it for that. It is a bit twee and the Cinderella theme is dominant but there is a modern element that I have never any other Cinderella-esque movie.
108 Reviews
Broad Acting, but a Great Message
dlpoole-872446 April 2018
We enjoyed it in spite of the terribly broad acting, particularly of the aunt and uncle. The reality is much grittier, but the emotional abuse suffered by the title character is not as rare as you might think. 'Want to be the hero yourself? ...then consider serving as a CASA. Just Google it.
Cindy Ella, you will go to the prom
flingebunt6 March 2021
Imagine what a Cinderella story would be like if it was set in modern suburbia with high school students. Okay, now you are imagining this incorrectly. So imagine it was a realistically based story that addressing the issues and mechanisms associated dealing with abusive foster parent environments. Now you are getting the picture.
This story of Cindy Ella (get it), who lives with her aunt and uncle and their daughters, while going to school, and there is a handsome guy involved.
This is not exactly a well written story, and while the acting is okay, it is all a bit superficial. But it addresses some important issues intelligently enough. So yeah, it is a good one for teens to watch.
This story of Cindy Ella (get it), who lives with her aunt and uncle and their daughters, while going to school, and there is a handsome guy involved.
This is not exactly a well written story, and while the acting is okay, it is all a bit superficial. But it addresses some important issues intelligently enough. So yeah, it is a good one for teens to watch.
Too heavy for kids, not suitable (excruciating watch) for anyone else
nofoloj11 April 2018
I wouldn't recommend this movie for children, because its heavy and unrealistic without teaching much anything valuable. The main character projects very few of the values the original Cinderella projected and is... quite bland, and so are most of the other characters. The only character I have half a good word for is Indy's sidekick, and even that went bad with the sideplot happening there.
Unfortunately the acting makes it unwatchable for anyone somewhat older. The exaggerations would have been better done in a comic way, because now its just thoroughly cringy and awful. The typical TV Movie soundtrack playing in the background is painfully obvious.
I don't understand what the target audience of this movie is supposed to be, nor do I understand the point of its existence. The movie could've been so much more, but it managed to get every single possible thing wrong. I'm sorry for the actors for having to act such an awful script. The acting seems overdone and unfortunately the pacing is also way off and the conversations seem unnatural. It would work well in a theater IMHO but overdoing it to this degree is unnecessary when the camera is half a meter from your face.
Watched during a romcom binge, but this managed to still stick out as horrible. Sorry. The second star was gained for the lack of use of GIF birds, the third for effort and having a proper camera man and some +/- decent scenes.
Worth SKIPPING channels for 10 more minutes instead of 1.5 hours of your life. I think you get used to it at around 50 minutes in, or maybe the muscles around your eye just tire of cringing.
Unfortunately the acting makes it unwatchable for anyone somewhat older. The exaggerations would have been better done in a comic way, because now its just thoroughly cringy and awful. The typical TV Movie soundtrack playing in the background is painfully obvious.
I don't understand what the target audience of this movie is supposed to be, nor do I understand the point of its existence. The movie could've been so much more, but it managed to get every single possible thing wrong. I'm sorry for the actors for having to act such an awful script. The acting seems overdone and unfortunately the pacing is also way off and the conversations seem unnatural. It would work well in a theater IMHO but overdoing it to this degree is unnecessary when the camera is half a meter from your face.
Watched during a romcom binge, but this managed to still stick out as horrible. Sorry. The second star was gained for the lack of use of GIF birds, the third for effort and having a proper camera man and some +/- decent scenes.
Worth SKIPPING channels for 10 more minutes instead of 1.5 hours of your life. I think you get used to it at around 50 minutes in, or maybe the muscles around your eye just tire of cringing.
Good "Cinderella" movie~
hazard11121 March 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I've never read the book so I didn't know what I was getting into. From the trailer I thought it'll be like another type of A Cinderella Story like with Hilary Duff, Selena Gomez, etc (and I liked those easy to watch films).
I was wrong. This has a more realistic approach. By realistic I mean how the film delves on with basic child abuse and not at all the fun romcom of "A Cinderella Story" where nobody even questions what's happening to the lead lady. Nothing too drastic or deep to be traumatic but it's a refreshing take on the repeated style of Cinderella adaptations.
I'd have given this more stars if the acting isn't a bit cringy... Story though was great~
I was wrong. This has a more realistic approach. By realistic I mean how the film delves on with basic child abuse and not at all the fun romcom of "A Cinderella Story" where nobody even questions what's happening to the lead lady. Nothing too drastic or deep to be traumatic but it's a refreshing take on the repeated style of Cinderella adaptations.
I'd have given this more stars if the acting isn't a bit cringy... Story though was great~
Modern twist on old tale
bcirilli28 January 2020
I did not think I would like this movie but I really enjoyed it. I fell like it provides an important lesson for kids and young adults as to what abuse looks like. The most dangerous type of abuse is the emotional and mental abuse that a kid might not identify as they were told that they deserved it. I love the moral of the story. The writing and acting was solid and you are cheering for Indy. I also love how little the focus is on her cousins. They put the focus on her and really providing a valuable lesson. I really really recommend it.
It surprised me
syam-807-60726921 May 2018
This is not a film that I'd ever choose to watch. In fact, it was my sister who picked this film. I thought I'd be gone in a few minutes - I was tempted to but I wanted to gauge how bad the film was after seeing the clichéd Aunt.
However, with such character clichés and a following coincidence where Indy finds out more about her Mother's experience, this film grew on me. I stopped caring as much about the aforementioned and became involved with the protagonist. This is directly due to the solid performance of Paris Warner who plays Indy. Her portrayal is naturalised of someone who has grown to be treated subserviently. And given the anti-Cinderella stamp (based on the novel by Jenni James), Warner was able to evade the synonymous character to some extent, allowing the character to have her own story.
However, with such character clichés and a following coincidence where Indy finds out more about her Mother's experience, this film grew on me. I stopped caring as much about the aforementioned and became involved with the protagonist. This is directly due to the solid performance of Paris Warner who plays Indy. Her portrayal is naturalised of someone who has grown to be treated subserviently. And given the anti-Cinderella stamp (based on the novel by Jenni James), Warner was able to evade the synonymous character to some extent, allowing the character to have her own story.
Lol
scottrochlis26 March 2018
Enjoyed watching this
wsidejack19 April 2018
Full Disclosure: I'm a 60 something male who generally likes Westerns (with John Wayne, James Garner, Clint Eastwood, ...), the Dirty Harry movies, Police dramas, and so on . . . Normally this is not my type of movie. But I really enjoyed this modern retelling of the Cinderella story when I watched it with my wife. It's quite moving with some strong acting by the actors playing the three main teenage characters: Indy, Bryant, and Max. Obviously the evil aunt and uncle are caricatures, but that's a bit of a vehicle to help move the story along. And it's more than just the Cinderella tale, it's also very much about being a teenager and the trials kids face during those years.
If you're like me (or not like me?), I would say give it a try. You may very well be surprised by this little gem.
If you're like me (or not like me?), I would say give it a try. You may very well be surprised by this little gem.
Good but not great
zane-alksne31 July 2019
I did like the new aspect of the story seeing for What it actually was the emotional abuse and all, but the doctor advice and all seemed a bit too much pushed forward that it spoiled the watching. Also the meek and mousy like main character was a bit annoying but then again a good fit for the role. Too many contradictions to comment even.
completely unrealistic
considerthesource225 March 2018
Warning: Spoilers
This movie portrays a very idealized alternate reality. There's no connection to how a child subjected to severe emotional abuse would behave or respond to any of the situations that come up in the movie.
It's a fantasy movie about abuse and rescuing the abused.
Beyond the fact that the acting is terrible and the script is terrible, it's misleading to suggest the ease at which the abused child recovered, and that is a huge disservice to all of the children that have actually experienced severe emotional abuse.
It's a fantasy movie about abuse and rescuing the abused.
Beyond the fact that the acting is terrible and the script is terrible, it's misleading to suggest the ease at which the abused child recovered, and that is a huge disservice to all of the children that have actually experienced severe emotional abuse.
Entertaining and thought provoking
tamjoynic24 April 2018
I really enjoyed this movie. It wasn't as well made as some I've watched but the main character was likeable and had you really rooting for her. It seemed to me to be more of a real life situation feel. Which isn't completely true of a lot of movies. I think it potrays a very realistic example of someone who suffers from emotional abuse and how they can not even realize that they are a victim which was interesting and thought provoking. And it showed great examples of friendship and kindness and I would recommend this movie to teenagers everywhere.
The Fascination of the Abomination
jenovello9 June 2023
I really liked this movie, but for all the wrong reasons. I spent the entire time wondering where they found these actors. I think the girl who played the lead has potential, but the woman playing the Aunt was like somebody who volunteers to do community college theater and get through a production by overacting. And I also spent a lot of time I thinking of how I would have rewritten the script. There was just something missing, but I'm not sure what. I'm glad that this gave a lot of people employment, and the chance to continue to work, and hopefully get better at their craft. So I guess I would compare this movie to minor league baseball. You were out there just trying to get better and be ready when you get called up to the major leagues.
Wow. Very hard to watch.
mas197722 March 2020
Read the entire review. Honestly, one or two good parts in the entire movie. From the very beginning, the movie shows how cheaply a movie can be made and with terrible entry level directing. Very very poor acting from the very beginning except for the main character. Aunt and Uncle obviously had NEVER been in front of a camera. Absolutely terrible. The plot was was expected. The love twist to it was different. But on top of the lack of directing, the dialogue could hardly be heard over the music that is suppose to be in the background. Watch the movie just for the fact that Paris Warner will be in more scripts to come. Very good message about emotional abuse and to NOT tolerate it whether it is yourself or someone you know and are aware of.
Very good movie on child abuse but the lead girl acting was pathetic
shayanasharma-6826328 September 2021
I love the movie watched the whole but trust me the lead actress has no future in acting career till she works really hard on her emotions ..she sucked in each and every god damn seen ..watching her was so boring her rage love and scared of emotion were all the same her dialogue delivery was awful ... In the scene She ran from bryant house and bryant later found her sitting under a tree shivering and cold ... The scene could have been so impactful for the way it is been written it could have left you in tears but I literally felt nothing for her ..her acting was so fake that I was laughing ... Not everyone is emma watson and kristen stwert you see .. If you can ignore that part movie was great storyline was good shot in a fantastic location direction was awesome dialogue writing was the best ... A family movie packed with some child caring advice ...must watch ..
Great movie
mitchellrharl11 January 2021
Could be so much better
ackermanle5 April 2018
I Loved this film
krburt-5578923 March 2018
Don't Waste a Second of Your Time on This Drivel
christopherburdick31 May 2018
The script is badly written, and the acting is either wooden or baffoonish. It is neither a fairy-tale (magically speaking), nor in anyway realistic enough to make any sense. I am sorry for all involved in it's production.
really good
jewelch3 January 2021
This is a good family movie with a good message. Also, the main actors were very likable. The message is an important one. Emotional abuse is quite insidious and, like the main character here, it is often hard to define. All one knows is they are being made to feel bad about almost everything about themselves, and nothing they do is good enough. In most cases, such abuse also involves physical abuse. In this movie, someone cared enough to help out, and fortunately their efforts worked. I Highly recommend it. James Welch Henderson, Arkansas 01/02/2021
KILLED THE CAT IN FIRST 6 Minutes!!
wrnglrgirl28 May 2018
Warning: Spoilers
HORRIBLE to have the girls cat get run over in the first six minutes! HORRIBLE!! I don't care if that is how she meets the ugly boy everyone wants - WHAT THE HECK KIND OF FAMILY MOVIE DOES THAT??? Especially after the girls mother dies inn the first 3 minutes?? The acting is pretty horrible too - maybe the aunt and uncle are supposed to be horrible but I've seen better acting in high school plays.
A fresh realistic take on a trope.
mrburhans17 May 2020
I enjoyed the fresh, realistic take on the Cinderella trope. The Àctriss who plays Indy carries the movie. The girl next door you wish was next door. She handles scenes of confusing and intense feelings well.
Not Shakespeare, but I didn't expect it to be. It actually far exceeded my expectations.
Not Shakespeare, but I didn't expect it to be. It actually far exceeded my expectations.
Four stars because I don't want to be mean, but...
lngwstx28 May 2018
Remove the sticky-sweet soundtrack and you remove every vestige of human emotion, which is weird considering the subject matter. The aunt and uncle are burnt potatoes, and every single other character is basically dry pasta. The whole thing is inedible.
I gave it four pity stars because while it was painful to watch, I felt like I was reading a mediocre $0.99 YA novel - one to which you bring your own imagery and emotions and fill in the gaps the author left hanging open everywhere. You keep reading because it was cheap and you're looking for anything positive to encourage the fledgeling writer to build on, but in the end you kinda know they just don't have it.
It's a shame, really; I can imagine this story as a moderately entertaining YA novel. I don't know if it was adapted from one, but if so, they played out way out of tune.
I gave it four pity stars because while it was painful to watch, I felt like I was reading a mediocre $0.99 YA novel - one to which you bring your own imagery and emotions and fill in the gaps the author left hanging open everywhere. You keep reading because it was cheap and you're looking for anything positive to encourage the fledgeling writer to build on, but in the end you kinda know they just don't have it.
It's a shame, really; I can imagine this story as a moderately entertaining YA novel. I don't know if it was adapted from one, but if so, they played out way out of tune.
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