If you’re here for the first time, here’s a bit about my philosophy on movie reviews…
You might remember my disdain for Maleficent. I felt like they took a beloved movie and rubbed it’s nose in the dirt. Even if it was Angelina, I couldn’t love it.
So, when I saw the preview (the original glass slipper preview) for the new live action Cinderella movie, I wasn’t excited. I figured it would be a silly, sexed-up or dumbed-down version of the beloved 1950 Disney cartoon. Cinderella is not a story to be trifled with in my Disney-lovin’ heart. Cinderella and I are practically roommates, for goodness sakes.
Last Tuesday, Lydia and I got to see a screening of Cinderella and I am so glad I was wrong about it! It was a gorgeous movie. It felt like a beautiful, sweeping period piece. You know when you are just IN a movie? From the first minute, I was in Cinderella’s family and loving her mother and father and life.
I could really gush about all kinds of little things, but let’s do it this way, shall we?
{Oh, get ready for SPOILERS!!! Which, let’s be honest, isn’t much of a spoiler. It’s a pretty well-known story.}
WHY YOU SHOULD SEE CINDERELLA THIS WEEKEND:
1. The family unit.
There was so much in the movie about Cinderella honoring her parents’ love for their home. Cinderella did chores and stayed with her wicked stepmother because she was being respectful of her parents.
Before Cinderella’s parents died, their little family unit was a tight-knit, loving, encouraging family. The last thing Cinderella’s mother told her was, “Have courage and be kind.” And this anthem pushed Cinderella the rest of the movie. She kept her head up and served her step-family because of her mother’s words.
2. The Prince.
Not only does he have piercing eyes, this prince was a true gentleman and a respectful son. He does have an argument with his father about wanting to marry a commoner instead of a princess, but with such respect and honor. He throws a ball for the entire kingdom knowing he will probably have to pick a princess for his bride, but hoping Cinderella will show up.
And when his Father finally demands he pick a princess the Prince says, “I love you and respect you, Father, but I cannot.” To which the King says, “Go and find that girl they are talking about. The forgetful one, who loses her shoes.” It was as if he wanted to see if his son was his own man before giving his blessing.
{HUGE SPOILER}
My favorite prince moment is when the King dies. The Prince leans close and says, “I love you, Father.” and the King says, “I love you” in return. The scene ends with the Prince laying across his Father’s chest sobbing. It was so beautiful to see a strong Father-Son connection.
3. The Costumes.
Heaven to betsy. I cannot get over how fabulous the costuming is. Cinderella’s ball gown was amazing. Every single thing the wicked stepmother wears is fabulous.
The wicked step-sisters are equally gaudy and delicious at the same time. The royal family, the people at the ball and even the common dresses of Cinderella as a girl and her mother are just beautiful.
4. The Disney-ness.
I told Lydia when we left the theatre, “I feel like I’ve just been to Disney World.” You know, Walt wanted to make Disneyland because he wanted his girls to experience the movies he made. Not just watch them. And that’s why I love Disney World (and land) because you get to experience the movies just a little bit more. You get to visit them in a new and different way.
Watching this movie made the 1950 cartoon come alive! You could understand how a girl could go from cherished daughter to abused servant. You could see a far-off love begin between two people instead of a so-this-is-love love-at-first-sight gig.
There were tributes to the original movie, too. Cinderella sings, “Sing, Sweet Nightingale” and the mice have the same type voices as the original Gus and Jaques (they weren’t talking, just squeaking). I thought for a minute that the song the Prince and Cinderella danced to was familiar and then realized it sounded like I Walked With You Once Upon a Dream from Sleeping Beauty. So, that was weird. Or maybe I made it up.
5. The Sheer Beauty
It was just a good movie. I was captivated the whole time. People clapped in the middle of it. I laughed, I cried. Erin asked me if boys would like it and I think, because it’s just a great movie, that boys will like it. I mean, it’s Cinderella. So, you know, it’s dresses and balls and things. But it was legiitemely good.
6. The Actors
Lily James as Cinderella was stunning–not too gorgeous to make you hate her but lovely. Cate Blanchet was divine. So, wickedly evil that even when she tells her sob story you don’t feel sorry for her.(And her hats! Can she get an Academy Award for just wearing those hats?!)
The wicked step-sisters were perfect caricatures of themselves. The Prince, the King, the Grand Duke and the Captain of the Guard (?) were just spot on and lovely.
7. The TRUTH.
My favorite part of the whole movie (ok, one of them!) was two-fold. It’s the classic scene where Cinderella comes down the stairs in her mother’s old gown and her step-sisters tear it apart literally and with their words. The stepmother leans in with finger in Cinderella’s face and says, “You shall not go to the ball.” Such a sentence of defeat. Cinderella runs to the garden sobbing, despairing. She doesn’t think being kind and having courage is something she can do—or even if it’s worth it.
When the Fairy Godmother shows up and transforms Cinderella, she looks right at her and says, “You shall go to the ball.” And even now, it puts tears in my eyes because how often do we and our kids live in what the world and others say about us? How often do we live under someone else’s sentence of defeat?
God looks at us and says, “You are mine and you are not forgotten. You are cherished. You are lovely and lovable.” YOU SHALL GO TO THE BALL. It gives me chills.
WHY YOU MIGHT NOT WANT TO SEE THIS MOVIE:
I honestly cannot think of one thing that made me raise my eyebrow. Not one time did I think, “Well, we’re gonna have to talk about this in the car.”
The only talking points I can think of were:
-The Prince and King at odds over who he should marry.
-Three different parents die.
-The abuse of Cinderella by her step-family.
-There was a brief scene of a party with gambling and smoking and drinking.
-The dresses are kinda low-cut.
-The Fairy Godmother’s magic? (I’m stretching here…)
-The Prince and Cinderella basically fall in love right away.
But can we talk about that for a second? I know everyone gets upset about that whole love-at-first-sight and the-prince-sweeping-you-off-your-feet and I get it. I believe you need to guard your heart against feasting on other’s love affairs. But as a mom? I want my kids to see a guy and a girl look into each other’s eyes and say, “Hey. We’re going to be faithful to each other. I’m here for you. I’m going to do whatever it takes to love and honor and cherish you.” Cinderella and the Prince try to kiss once or twice, but it doesn’t happen until the royal wedding. This is an example I like for my kids to see!
I seriously loved this movie. It was gorgeous in every way.
Oh yeah, and I forgot to mention the featurette at the beginning: FROZEN FEVER! As I was gushing over Cinderella out the door, Lydia said, “Elsa sneezed snowmen.”
So, yeah, the Frozen Fever short was fun. It was nice to be back with Elsa and Anna and Olaf. But Cinderella eclipsed even them.
Are you going to see Cinderella? If you did see it, what did you think?
{update: read the comments for more great talking points and conversation starters!}
I attended Cinderella as a member of the media. Opinions and words my own. All photos property of Walt Disney Pictures and used with permission.
