CINDERELLA

The live-action Cinderella movie saw its release this year, exciting girls everywhere. Directed by Kenneth Branagh, the movie takes a turn at portraying the classic fairytale that everyone knows by heart. The cast includes Lily James as Cinderella, best known for her role as Lady Rose on Downton Abbey. Cate Blanchett dons the role of the stepmother. The roles of stepsisters are taken on by Holliday Grainger (Anastasia) and Sophie McShera (Drizella); the latter also stars in Downton Abbey as the kitchen maid Daisy. 

The movie for the most part does not deviate much from the classic story. Narrated throughout by the Fairy Godmother (Helena Bonham Carter), it begins with scenes from young Ella's pleasant childhood. Due to a sad turn of events Ella finds herself orphaned and in the company of her rather unpleasant stepmother and stepsisters. After firing the staff at home, the stepmother cruelly piles all the chores onto Ella, who henceforth finds herself being addressed as Cinderella. Even with all she has to suffer through, Cinderella manages to bear it all with a gracious smile, winning the heart of the prince (Richard Madden, aka Robb Stark to Game of Thrones fans). She ultimately manages to find her happy ending with some assistance from her Fairy Godmother and her little band of mice.

The movie fills in some gaps from the story, and also adds additional characters to create conflict. Cinderella's mother (Hayley Atwell) plays a significant role in the movie, teaching her to believe in everything good, and giving her the advice which keeps her strong through the trials she faces in her later years. Lily James takes on the role wonderfully, making it easy to forget that she was only acting. Cate Blanchett's evil laughs were the highlights, and the encounters between Anastasia and Drizella were ridiculous to the point of being pitiful. The stepmother is not the only conniving character in the movie – a Grand Duke also tries to prevent the Prince's marriage with Cinderella, thus providing more obstacles in their way than we would have thought. The script is well-written, and through short lines delivers the wit, humour and sarcasm necessary to keep the movie interesting. The music and the idyllic setting all add to the charm of the movie, and the animated scenes, though few, are well executed.

This isn't just a princess movie about being pretty and having luck on one's side. It's about having courage to face challenges and always being kind and helpful. A more contemporary take on the movie might involve Cinderella rebelling against the stepmother in aggressive ways, but this particular version stays true to the ideals of being good, because good things do indeed come to those who wait.

If you want to see the movie while surrounded by nine-year old girls and thirty-year old mothers then you can catch it playing at the Star Cineplex in Bashundhara City, Dhaka.