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EVER AFTER
Review by Michael Jacobson
Stars:
Drew Barrymore, Anjelica Houston, Dougray Scott, Patrick Godfrey
Director: Andy Tennant
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby
Surround
Video: Widescreen 2.35:1, Full
Frame 1.33:1
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Features: Theatrical Trailer
Length: 121 Minutes
Release Date: October 17,
2006
"Just breathe..."
Film ***1/2
It can't be an easy task to take a fable as old and well
known as Cinderella, and make a movie that is truly enchanting and utterly
absorbing despite the fact the story has been etched in our hearts since
childhood. It's certainly a feat if
the film comes across as something unique and original in its own right as well.
Ever After is just such a
movie.
This is a fairy tale stripped of almost everything that made it a fairy tale,
and yet maintains a feeling of magic. This
is not your grandmother's Cinderella, nor likely is it your children's.
This one is just for us.
It begins with the Brothers Grimm...yes, those brothers...at an audience with an
elderly lady, who professes a love of their works, but wants to set the record
straight regarding their tale of the little cinder girl.
It’s a terrific beginning for a film.
I was hooked immediately.
We are introduced to Danielle as a child, whose father takes for a wife a
Baroness (Houston) who has two children of her own. Of course, the father dies unexpectedly, leaving the child in
the care of her stepmother. Familiar
stuff so far, but it starts to get good quickly.
Danielle as a young lady (Barrymore) is quite a bit different than the cinder
girl from our bedtime stories. She
is not a wispy, pathetic waif who dreams of a faraway Prince Charming.
Instead, she is a strong woman, both physically and mentally, one who is
well read, intelligent and resourceful, and frankly, one who shows respect for,
but does not cower before, her stepmother.
Barrymore's performance is a revelation, with a perfect British accent to
boot (all cast members speak with this accent, though the story takes place in
France).
And what of the stepmother, played by Houston?
After all, this character was pretty much the epitome of evil when we
were kids. Only an actress of the
caliber of Houston could take such a one dimensional, one note character, and
bring an enigmatic sort of humanity to her.
Cruel? Yes, but not like the
stepmother of the Disney film. Her
main fault is in the interest of one of her daughters and what she can be.
At one point, she asks wouldn't a mother do just about anything for her
own child? Probably.
Another interesting point of fact is though the story traditionally has two vain
and selfish stepsisters, here we get only one. The other is actually quite kind and shy, though neither are
particularly bright. A pleasant
surprise for me was seeing Melanie Lynskey play the sweet stepsister.
I had not seen her since she and Kate Winslet made their debuts in one of
my favorite films, Heavenly Creatures.
And there are no fairy godmothers, to be sure, or pumpkins that turn to coaches,
or magical ball dresses. Even the
glass slipper is a rather plain looking affair. Nor does Danielle don a glittering gown and pretend to be
regal to attract her prince, but rather, she does it to buy a friend back from
debtor's slavery.
But of course, she does meet the prince, Henry (Dougray Scott), who is not quite
the Prince Charming of old. He is
restless, a little self centered (but not annoyingly so), who finds himself
falling for the mysterious girl who can quote Thomas More and sword fight with
equal prowess. And, I suppose it
doesn't hurt that she looks like Drew Barrymore, either.
Another nice touch is the addition of Leonardo da Vinci as a character.
There are no fairies in the story, but this wise artist and inventor does
seem to provide a bit of magic when needed, as well as sage advice to a prince
who struggles to know what he wants.
It all becomes complicated when Danielle becomes a serious threat to the
Baroness and her designs for her own daughter with the prince.
There are a few more surprises in store, and of course, not from the
original tale.
Overall, the effect of the movie is truly wonderful. The cast is perfect, the sets and costumes really sweep you
away like any good period piece will, and the story comes across as beautifully
romantic rather than fairy tale fluff, with some moments of true dramatic
intensity and a little comedy along the way.
Video ***
The widescreen transfer isn't anamorphic, but it still looks quite good, very free of compression (especially clear in the dark scenes), but overall, just a tad soft looking.
Audio ***
The soundtrack is a good 5.1 mix, though most of the movie
won't damage the breakables on your shelves.
Dialogue comes through clearly at all times, and the beautiful music, which at
times swells from all channels, is a definite plus.
Features *
Only a trailer.
Summary:
Ever After is a wonderful retelling of a classic fairy tale in a way that finds magic in the characters and their world, rather than through fairies and special effects. Anchored by two superb performances by Drew Barrymore and Anjelica Houston, this sweet and charming film will no doubt continue to win hearts with this DVD release.
