Cinderella was supposed to be a ground breaking blockbuster, and with it being aimed at children and families re-capturing their love of Disney Princesses, it should have been a sure fire hit. However children simply aren't designed with the attention span required for an epic dramatisation. I am only a little ashamed to admit that neither am I.
A tedious tale wrapped around a young girl suffering the tragic loss of her mother and her attempt to reconcile to a freshly co-joined family.
In fairness perhaps too much was put upon this spoilt only child with saccharine acting skills. Considering she had never endured the joy of siblings I can understand her adjustment difficulties.
Now consider the other side; Blood siblings are awkward enough, but to have to adapt to an isolated mansion, complete with a new uncaring and permanently absent father. It must have made the 'step-sisters' lives absurdly difficult, especially when living with a girl who encourages a healthy rodent problem, whilst enjoying obvious favouritism.
The 'Step-mother' is depicted as suffering greatly from the preferential treatment of the beloved 'Cinders'. Already widowed she is chosen as a bride for little more than her babysitting skills and has to watch on as her daughters are sidelined. Her previously busy and entertaining lifestyle are mocked and she even has to endure constant reminders of who she is replacing in the household.
This is one of Disney's traditionally epic portrayals of an 'Evil Stepmother', but in this rendition she appears to struggle more with the self righteous attitudes of those in her care. Even when pandering to Cinders by offering the girl a whole floor of the crumbling mansion to inhabit (Something any with siblings would see as a momentous blessing), she is still depicted to be the epitome of evil.
The Prince appeared to be purely designed to be as lack lustre and empty headed as possible. Lust at first sight when he showed no character worth dedicating a life too in the short time they spent together, is poor form indeed. How can a love so true and immortal last with such a pedantic and condescending approach? However when Cinders falls in love and wishes to marry for love.
The Stepmother offers a compromise. She will allow the wedding in exchange for power and profitable marriages for her daughters. Obviously being brutally rejected would send her into an angry huff.
This for me was the turning point in their relationship, Cinders revealed her true heart. She refused the offer because she wanted not just 'true love' but the power of an entire kingdom. She wanted to divorce her previous life and the remains of her fathers poor choices in relationships (Her character appearing so distant from the ideal role model parents hope for.). Her mothers oft repeated advice 'Do no wrong etc' seeming curiously out of sync with the new empowered and bitter approach.
This new improved 'Princess' could be deemed the fault of her apparently addled 'Fairy Godmother', played by none other than the outstanding Helena Bonham Carter. Lending her usual brilliant insanity to the role, she shines as the erratic fairy. I felt that the lack of song stole a lot from the movie, but the token muttered 'bibbity bobbity boo' really sealed the deal for her performance.
Are we really meant to feel empathy for a male bimbo in a crown and a girl who enjoys a night on the tiles to the detriment of her footwear? Are we mean to loath a woman conned into child minding through such a depressing marriage? Should we really hope for a crazy lady with a stick who performs terrible genetic adaptations on animals?
A frankly disappointing, though not surprising, adaptation of a previously heartfelt and hopeful tale.
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