Do you believe in fairy tales? Do you believe in magic? If not, you probably will not enjoy Cinderella. If you do, then this is the movie you cannot afford to miss.
Kenneth Branagh has masterfully retold this Disney classic in a film that is creative, charming, and spectacular. While almost all recent live-action fairy tales have gone for the dark and brooding atmospheres, Cinderella aims at the heart. It is traditional, and brilliantly done. This is how you do a live-action retelling of a fairy tale.
We all know the story of Cinderella by heart. A lovely young girl is forced to keep her own house for her atrocious step-family after the death of her father. They are exceedingly horrible, yet she somehow never loses heart, nor her exceptional kindness. Branagh respects the source material, yet adds to it in ways that accent the story rather then detract from it. We meet Cinderella’s parents; the story’s central lovers run into each other before the famous ball; the Prince has a backstory; the Stepmother is also given development. In short, changes made to the story do not detract, but actually make more sense than in the animated film.
The set design and musical score are both out of this world. The landscapes are idyllic and breathtaking in the wide shots. Cinderella’s home and the surrounding woods — as well as the costumes for the country folk — are directly from pastoral England. The town and castle are lavish and beautiful, reminiscent of Versailles meets 19th century manors. The court and the soldiers are outfitted in Renaissance and late 19th century fashions. Taken separately, this mix is highly anachronistic, even confusing. But taken as a whole, it all comes together to create the dream world this fantasy story deserves. The musical score is also one of the best I have heard in a Disney film. Period.
The cast and the individuals performances are pitch perfect. Cate Blanchett fully embraces her role as the conniving and wicked Stepmother. Richard Madden (of Game of Thrones fame) is a ridiculously charming Prince. Lily James, most known from her role on Downton Abbey, is wonderful as Cinderella. Other well-known actors round out the cast: Derek Jacobi, Stellen Skarsgard, Helena Bonham Carter, Nonso Anozie, and Hayley Atwell.
Branagh knows how to get the most out of his actors. His experience with Shakespeare shines through, particularly in his sense of humanity in the characters. Why is the Stepmother wicked? What are the motivations of the characters? This is a fairy-tale with serious character depth and development, which is something the genre has desperately needed.
At the heart of the Cinderella story, of course, is love. But not just a superficial love, rather, one that requires courage and kindness. This is a theme that is repeated throughout the film. It drives Cinderella as a character and as a movie. Despite the way she is treated by her step-family, she demonstrates love through her kindness and bravely presses forward, never wallowing in despair, never losing heart. It is as much her spirit as it is her appearance that makes her beautiful.
The greatest thing about fairy tales movies is what they teach us about life, humanity, and the world. Cinderella reminds us of the true, undeniable power of kindness.
This is such a breathtaking and wonderful film that I was overwhelmed with feelings of joy and contentment. I connected with the movie because it embraced its fantastical side fully and without reservation.
In the end, Cinderella is the best live-action fairy tale movie I have ever seen. It brings back magic to the movies and encourages you to believe again in dreams. It is a movie that knows how to set a scene and create spectacle. The fourth act of the film drags slightly from the terrific highs of the preceding acts, but ends strongly. It is traditional and wonderful. Make sure you sit through the ending credits as well. You will not regret it.
5 stars out of 5.
