When I attended a matinee showing of Disney’s “Cinderella” I brought along a child I was babysitting so I would have an excuse in case I happened upon any of my friends at the same theater.
However, after seeing this magical production, I urge anyone who might be too embarrassed to watch the film to put on your big-girl glass slippers and buy a ticket because you will leave the theater feeling happily ever after.
We all know the story of Cinderella, and this movie — while sticking to the story very faithfully — develops many of the plot points which were only touched upon superficially in the animated production.
For example, the animated movie begins at the moment Cinderella’s father dies, and she is left with her stepmother and two stepsisters. This movie, however, gives the audience a thorough backstory. The audience is even able to meet the ever-mysterious mother of Cinderella.
This version also develops further the relationship between Cinderella and the prince so that their inevitable marriage is not completely irrational. Cinderella meets the prince prior to the ball, and they actually speak to each other when the night of the ball arrives, rather than just dancing.
While all of this plot development and expansion is lovely, there is one reason above all why this movie is so amazing — Cinderella’s dress. You may have already seen this dress on the immense cardboard cutout in the theaters or in the trailer, but they don’t do justice to its excellence.
It is massive, fluffy, perfectly flowy and has just the right amount of glitter with layers upon layers of petticoats. As an added bonus, it shows off Lily James’s flawless collarbones. An entire scene is dedicated to Cinderella’s elegant dance at the ball — the twirling, flipping and swaying of this dress was the most magical part of the entire movie. The film is worth the $8 ticket simply for this magnificent gown.
One disturbing aspect of the movie are the doormen who escort Cinderella to the ball. Although they are transformed from lizards into people by the fairy godmother, the men still bear a stark reptilian resemblance.
This movie is perfectly low-key, while retaining a sense of fairy-tale fun. Disney’s revamped “Cinderella” takes the old, familiar fairy tale to new enjoyable heights.
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