She’s got a curfew to end all curfews. Scrambling to secure a smooth subterfuge, seconds tick away, a slipper is lost in the fray.
The audience’s fists clench the seats with growing anxiety as they watch and pray that all will turn out well despite the conflict they can see coming.
It’s a tale we all know well and one we were afraid they couldn’t retell. But the majesty and beauty of “Cinderella” (PG) irrefutably struck a chord. Disney delivered on its tacit promise by conflating the charming princess story with poised sophistication.
From the moment that baby girl tickled the clouds to the time she spent waltzing the halls of the palace, Cinderella (Lily James) stole my heart.
Cate Blanchett, who played Cinderella’s stepmother, exuded repugnance with every breath. Her entrance was stunning; she walked the proverbial catwalk with notoriety, stopping at the end to turn her immense, black hat and grace the frame with the countenance of disdain which she would wear perennially throughout the film. Blanchett played the stepmother to the letter, making us love to hate her for her caustic composure and unabashed cruelty.
Inevitably orphaned and left to the “care” of that oppressive stepmother, Cinderella made the best of every situation. She was the Anne Frank of fairytales, smirched not only in cinders but also in optimism.
Considering the traumatic circumstances, the catharsis of finally stepping into the ball was unimaginable. Chandeliers shimmered. The prince’s blue eyes dazzled, reflected in Cinderella’s gorgeous gown.
The awe of the film lies in its atmosphere. From flower-adorned walls to gilded halls, the sets were spectacular. The backdrops were something only director Kenneth Branagh could pull off. They made the audience’s eyes bulge without crossing the line.
In fact, the film hit on something so real, it almost relinquished the title of “fairytale.” Undoubtedly, the most compelling element of the movie was the humanity of it. From the prince losing his words upon greeting his future wife to the death of a family member, it cut like a knife.
5 / 5 stars
