By SETH HYNES
Cinderella
Starring Lily James, Cate Blanchett, Richard Madden, Helena Bonham Carter
Rated G for very mild themes
CINDERELLA, directed by acclaimed thespian Kenneth Branagh, is an intelligent and emotionally profound adaptation of the beloved children’s tale.
You all know the story: Ella, the downtrodden servant girl (Lily James), is exploited by her horrid stepmother, Lady Tremaine (Cate Blanchett), but is sent to a dazzling ball by her fairy godmother (Helena Bonham Carter), where the dashing Prince Charming (Richard Madden) falls for Ella, with her glass slippers finally bringing them together.
But where the 1950 original is shallow and contains some rather dated gender politics, Branagh’s remake updates the fairytale into an uplifting experience of empowerment and integrity.
In this film, courage and kindness are higher virtues than beauty, kings are apprentices and marriage for love is championed over social betterment.
Branagh’s Cinderella is a sparkling treat with deep thought and admirable talent behind it.
Lily James is radiantly kind, generous and strong of spirit as Cinderella, and (conversely) Cate Blanchett is compellingly vile as the stepmother. The visual style is wondrously vibrant, the costumes are fantastic and the soundtrack is elegant and subtle.
With a more cohesive vision than Maleficent, Disney’s other recent live-action film, Cinderella will enchant parents and children alike and give the kids good messages for character-building.
Don’t be late to the screening, as Cinderella also features Frozen Fever, a delightful short film spin-off of Frozen.
