Credible Credits
Year: 2015
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Starring: Lily James, Cate Blanchett, Richard Madden, and Helena Bonham Carter
Tagline: Midnight Is Just the Beginning
Tagline: Midnight Is Just the Beginning
Review
Before I get to the feature presentation, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the short that preceded it, namely Frozen Fever. I believe I've mentioned before that I'm fully on board with these kind of short films. It was fun to revisit Arendelle, Elsa, Anna, Olaf, and Kristoff. It was an enjoyable way to sort of see what "happens" next after the main film is over. The plot is simple enough: it's Anna's birthday and Elsa wants it to be perfect. Unfortunately, Elsa gets a cold as only she could get a cold. The song was catchy and the little story was quite funny. It made me smile and a couple of the gags even made me laugh out loud. Well done Disney.
From the time I heard Disney was planning a live action remake of their animated Cinderella, I was leery, to say the least. I enjoyed the rather revisionist "sequel" Alice in Wonderland from a few years ago. But I couldn't bring myself to go see the completely revisionist Maleficent, which seemed to ruin all I love about Sleeping Beauty. This completely traditional Cinderella outshines both of those and more than justifies its existence.
For starters, the film is simply gorgeous. The quaint settings, the exquisite wardrobe (granted I'm not one for fashion), the CGI magic: all are simply beautiful. There's so much color and life to the film that it is basically eye candy. It is a rich imagining of what a live fairy tale ought to be. In that sense, it is a visual antithesis to Disney's recent Into the Woods. Both are beautiful in their own way. But their perspectives on fairy tale worlds are completely opposite.
Importantly, the cast for Cinderella is superb. Richard Madden is both charming and sincere as the prince. He has a lot more to do than his animated counterpart and has a good deal more depth and personality. He's also clever and funny. For her part, Lily James brings a much-needed sincerity to the role of Cinderella. She truly comes across as courageous and kind. But she also rounds out the character with frustration, exhaustion, grief, and at times despair. It is clear that Cinderella isn't kind or optimistic out of some simple-minded naivete. Her kindness and courage are her choice. That is what this adaptation is all about: choosing to be kind and courageous in spite of heartbreak, disappointment, and cruelty.
I was skeptical of Helena Bonham Carter as the Fairy Godmother. She bares little resemblance to the white-haired grandmotherly Fairy Godmother in the animated version. But she brings a fun, quirkiness to the role and makes it work. She is certainly a far cry from her previous wand-waving role, namely as the crazy, murderous Bellatrix Lestrange in the Harry Potter films.
Cate Blanchett is simply perfect as the stepmother. Rather than "wicked" or "evil" she is jealous, vain, vindictive, and a bit cunning. But the narrative also shows/explains some of what has led to her coldhearted state.
That is one of the strengths in general of the film: it has more time to explain things. The first ten minutes of the film (give or take) are dedicated to Cinderella's youth, her mother's death, and her relationship with her father. Such context adds a good deal of depth to the story. We also get to see more of Prince Kit and his interactions with both his father and the grand duke.
There is an ongoing argument about the lack of strong female characters in movies. While that has been changing some in recent years, too often the "strong" female character is a tough, no-nonsense, gun-toting (or bow and arrow toting) woman whose strength comes from an iron will, a sharp tongue, or a roundhouse kick. I enjoy (some) of those characters. They are fun and, to an extent, can be good role models.
I'm reminded, however, of Sister Margaret D. Nadauld's quote*: "The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are course; we need women who are kind." Cinderella is about a woman who is strong because she is kind. She shows courage not against aliens, monsters, or villains, but against cruelty, despair, and unfairness. That is admirable. Cinderella as a character is good, and that makes Cinderella as a movie great.
One more thing. If you see the film (which you should), stay through the credits. While there is no scene to watch, you will be treated to Lily James singing "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes" and Helena Bonham Carter doing her own rendition of "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo."
*** Spoiler Section ***
The moment the stepmother smashes Cinderella's glass slipper, you know the film can't be resolved the same way as the animated version. And that's a good thing, as it allows this film to distinguish itself and find what works best for itself.
That the prince (well, by that point, the king) has been incognito and tagging along with the search party is a nice touch. He's not one to just sit back, twiddling his thumbs, idly hoping they find his mystery girl. I also like that it is still the mice who help Cinderella out. But really, what ultimately "rescues" Cinderella is her own goodness. Rather than mope and feel sorry for herself and the unfair situation she is in, she chooses to treasure her memories and find joy in singing on a beautiful day. It is a Disney movie after all. Important things happen when characters sing.
The film also does a nice job of explaining the magic. A touch of magic is why the stepmother and stepsisters can't recognize Cinderella at the ball. And the magic in the glass slipper prevents it from fitting any other maiden's foot.
From the time I heard Disney was planning a live action remake of their animated Cinderella, I was leery, to say the least. I enjoyed the rather revisionist "sequel" Alice in Wonderland from a few years ago. But I couldn't bring myself to go see the completely revisionist Maleficent, which seemed to ruin all I love about Sleeping Beauty. This completely traditional Cinderella outshines both of those and more than justifies its existence.
For starters, the film is simply gorgeous. The quaint settings, the exquisite wardrobe (granted I'm not one for fashion), the CGI magic: all are simply beautiful. There's so much color and life to the film that it is basically eye candy. It is a rich imagining of what a live fairy tale ought to be. In that sense, it is a visual antithesis to Disney's recent Into the Woods. Both are beautiful in their own way. But their perspectives on fairy tale worlds are completely opposite.
Importantly, the cast for Cinderella is superb. Richard Madden is both charming and sincere as the prince. He has a lot more to do than his animated counterpart and has a good deal more depth and personality. He's also clever and funny. For her part, Lily James brings a much-needed sincerity to the role of Cinderella. She truly comes across as courageous and kind. But she also rounds out the character with frustration, exhaustion, grief, and at times despair. It is clear that Cinderella isn't kind or optimistic out of some simple-minded naivete. Her kindness and courage are her choice. That is what this adaptation is all about: choosing to be kind and courageous in spite of heartbreak, disappointment, and cruelty.
I was skeptical of Helena Bonham Carter as the Fairy Godmother. She bares little resemblance to the white-haired grandmotherly Fairy Godmother in the animated version. But she brings a fun, quirkiness to the role and makes it work. She is certainly a far cry from her previous wand-waving role, namely as the crazy, murderous Bellatrix Lestrange in the Harry Potter films.
Cate Blanchett is simply perfect as the stepmother. Rather than "wicked" or "evil" she is jealous, vain, vindictive, and a bit cunning. But the narrative also shows/explains some of what has led to her coldhearted state.
That is one of the strengths in general of the film: it has more time to explain things. The first ten minutes of the film (give or take) are dedicated to Cinderella's youth, her mother's death, and her relationship with her father. Such context adds a good deal of depth to the story. We also get to see more of Prince Kit and his interactions with both his father and the grand duke.
There is an ongoing argument about the lack of strong female characters in movies. While that has been changing some in recent years, too often the "strong" female character is a tough, no-nonsense, gun-toting (or bow and arrow toting) woman whose strength comes from an iron will, a sharp tongue, or a roundhouse kick. I enjoy (some) of those characters. They are fun and, to an extent, can be good role models.
I'm reminded, however, of Sister Margaret D. Nadauld's quote*: "The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are course; we need women who are kind." Cinderella is about a woman who is strong because she is kind. She shows courage not against aliens, monsters, or villains, but against cruelty, despair, and unfairness. That is admirable. Cinderella as a character is good, and that makes Cinderella as a movie great.
One more thing. If you see the film (which you should), stay through the credits. While there is no scene to watch, you will be treated to Lily James singing "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes" and Helena Bonham Carter doing her own rendition of "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo."
*** Spoiler Section ***
The moment the stepmother smashes Cinderella's glass slipper, you know the film can't be resolved the same way as the animated version. And that's a good thing, as it allows this film to distinguish itself and find what works best for itself.
That the prince (well, by that point, the king) has been incognito and tagging along with the search party is a nice touch. He's not one to just sit back, twiddling his thumbs, idly hoping they find his mystery girl. I also like that it is still the mice who help Cinderella out. But really, what ultimately "rescues" Cinderella is her own goodness. Rather than mope and feel sorry for herself and the unfair situation she is in, she chooses to treasure her memories and find joy in singing on a beautiful day. It is a Disney movie after all. Important things happen when characters sing.
The film also does a nice job of explaining the magic. A touch of magic is why the stepmother and stepsisters can't recognize Cinderella at the ball. And the magic in the glass slipper prevents it from fitting any other maiden's foot.
Quotable Quotes
- "I can't drive! I'm a goose." -- the goose
- "I'm a lizard, not a footman. Enjoy it while it lasts." -- a lizard
- "Have courage and be kind." -- Cinderella's mother
- "Do you have any watermelons?" "Sorry." "Cantaloupe?" "I don't know what that is." -- Fairy Godmother and Cinderella (searching for something to become a coach)
*Sister Margaret D. Nadauld, "The Joy of Womanhood," October 2000
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