Have Courage and Be Kind - Living and Loving Like Cinderella
photo © courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures
There are a few tiny spoilers within this article. If you must leave, make sure to bookmark this page so you can come back and read my thoughts, then feel free to share yours in the comments! :)
You know, you can tell a lot about things when shoes are involved. Am I right?! As a fashion lover, watching films with historic references or time period specific costume make me really happy. While Cinderella is a fairytale, I knew that Disney would have an amazing set of costumes to fall in love with.
Growing up, I always felt like Cinderella was the ultimate dreamer. I was often likened to her as I daydreamed my life away. Fast forward a couple of decades and I'm still dreaming! When Disney announced that they had a live action version of this 1950 classic, I knew the moment that I saw the beautiful Swarovski crystal glass slipper in the teaser trailer, that it would be amazing and a "must-see" film.
photo © courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures
“WHERE THERE IS KINDNESS, THERE IS GOODNESS, AND WHERE THERE IS GOODNESS, THERE IS MAGIC.”
While the classic film doesn't ever show Ella's mother, or even go too deep into the relationship that she had with her parents, this new version with Lily James playing Ella definitely does; it's beautiful and sweet. We see the love and care of Ella's upbringing and that has made her a beautiful young woman, inside and out. While Ella's father is heartbroken after the loss of his wife, over time he feels the need for a companion and chooses Lady Tremaine as his new wife. Ella is supportive and welcomes the her new stepmother and step-sisters into her home.
The film is pure innocence and magic, and we understand more about each character's background. The film brought a beloved fairytale to life, and my kids felt it was SO real. I have to agree with them! This version gave Ella a great head on her shoulders, and while she is affected by the harsh realities of her life situation, she still chooses to see the good or potential good in everyone.
photo © courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures
In terms of story line, we all know that there is a happily ever after; good triumphs over evil once again. But how did that evil come about? What is it that drove Lady Tremaine to be so cruel? What was Ella's mother like? If you're like me, you always want to know more. This is probably why I always welcome sequels to movies, because I don't want the story to end. It is through the storytelling that we gain perspective on characters, similar to Disney's other live-action film Maleficent, we find out that Lady Tremaine had a broken heart and gave into feelings of jealousy.
I must say that as usual, Ms. Blanchett does a phenomenal job in her role as the wicked stepmother. Her elegance, poise, and oh-so-cold-hearted personality shines. And it's amazing to see that on screen. To be honest, I was very excited to see her be so good at being bad.
photo © courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures
What I found to be my favorite aspect of this version is the honesty and realness of the characters. Even as Ella, later nicknamed Cinderella by her step-sisters, was treated as a servant in her own home, she continued to love and forgive. Before she died, Ella's mother wanted her to remember to "have courage and be kind." Throughout the film, we see Ella hold onto those words and live them daily.
So you're probably wondering, well if we've already seen the animated film, what is the point of seeing the new film? Well, you get to the heart of a lot. Like my kids said, the film is so real, mainly due to the live actors, but it is more relatable. The tears, the joy, the heartbreak and excitement. It is genuine and it's inspiring.
photo © courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures
Unlike the animated version, the Prince and Cinderella actually meet prior to the ball. Neither of them reveal who they really are, but she knows that he lives and works at the castle, and he knows that she is a country girl. Naturally, when the royal invitation is extended to all maidens of the land, Ella hopes to see her friend, Kit.
photo © courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures
If you recall, Ella's dress was shredded and ripped by her step-family so that she couldn't attend the ball. With the help of her Fairy Godmother (Helena Bonham Carter), who was first disguised as a helpless old woman, Ella is transformed into nothing short of a beautiful and mysterious royal. She was already gorgeous to begin with, but she cleaned up extra well! While the Fairy Godmother did not sing "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo (The Magic Song)," she did state those words and was quite hilarious as she attempted to transform various items to aid Ella's magical night. Did you know that she was going to turn a watermelon into a carriage? Unfortunately, the family only grew pumpkins! At the pleading of Cinderella, the Fairy Godmother didn't change the entire dress, but just updated it and made her mother's dress blue.
